calling out when you're passing

[Bluetree]

The first few times I (walking a path with a friend) heard a cyclist call "On your left," I thought they were telling me to "Move left." A lot of times "Left" is the only word you hear in that situation. So first, remember that many walkers don't know the lingo, and may not even hear everything you said. That's what makes "On your left," so problematical.

Ive worked at Southern California racing stables a long time so that I've realized that many people don't know the difference between left and right -- because they don't understand English!
I've done this for years... if I have no choice but to walk up behind a horse, I make as much noise as possible and call out, "Behind you!" I found that it freezes rider/groom and forces them to look around (and alerts the horse as well), while I cruise past them. Seems to work on the bike, too.

Joy

[pooks]

Oh man -- great point. And it hadn't even crossed my mind, but that's so true in Dallas.

[Lise]

We have a lot of Hispanic people in Chicago. So if they look like Spanish speakers, I'll yell "Passing! Pasando!" or "OJO!", which means "eye", and is used like "Heads Up!"

I've encountered several people in the past weeks, going the wrong way down a one way street, on the side where I ride, going with the cars (right). Not sure what they're thinking, but it's a good way to be hit by a car OR a bicycle! When I see them, I'll yell "OTHER SIDE!" and wave my arms. Trying to make sure they see me at all.

[pooks]

I think I'll just get a fog horn.

[mimitabby]

actually, before you go too far with ethnic groups here; my husband and i have already figured out that the group most likely to not notice you are dinging your bell and yelling are teenagers. If there is 1 you are probably okay, if there are two, good luck, if there are 3 or more; just figure you're going to have to slow WAY down and scream because they are somewhere else. All races, colors, creeds and sex. My apologies to the teenagers on the forum here. It's just what we've noticed over the last few years.

[Lise]

Oh, so true. The other day I just slowed to a creep behind a group of teens. I crept along behind them until one of them noticed I was there, and told the others to move over. They were very nice about it, probably because it was their idea and they didn't need to rebel against me asking them to do it!

My point about Spanish speakers was that they may "hear" a word in their own language better than "On your left!" And I'm just guessing about them speaking Spanish with a quick glance. That's why I ususally yell in both languages, if I think there's a chance. Anything to get their attention!

[pooks]

Sigh. Y'all keep upping the ante on me. Teenagers now?

Cattle prod.

[Kalidurga]

Boy, am I glad to find out I'm not the only one who gets grouchy over this kind of thing. I normally try to be a "bike ambassador", too, warning people, then waving and thanking them when they do move over and such, but, man, when they don't... If it didn't mean having to slow down or stop, I'd be buying whoop*ss by the case.

The thing that drives me really drives me nuts, though, are the people who stop to take a break in the middle of the trail! The places where I ride all have wide grassy shoulders along almost the entire length, but I end up swerving around all sorts of people who've parked their bikes in the trail and are just standing there chilling out. I want ask them: "If you needed to stop your car to look at a map or change a tire, would you stop in the middle of the road??" But, again, that would require me to stop long enough to say it 'Dorkus oblivious', indeed! (Thanks for that one, Nokomis)

[RedRansV2]

I think I'll just get a fog horn.

And here it is. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ance&n=3375251

I use a bell and say thanks. Sometimes I say "Morning! onyerleft" Kinda depends on who it is and what they're doing.

Check out this site www.manybells.com.

As for the women with the double wide strollers side by side...see the first link.

[tulip]

Bells are cool!

[Bikingmomof3]

Check out this site www.manybells.com.

As for the women with the double wide strollers side by side...see the first link.

Cool Bells!

[Bicyclette]

I use my bell too Lots of bikes over here use bells so people are used to it. However, my husband and I drove down to Nice last week and he had to resort to his ear splitting whistle to get people to move out of the bike lane for us THAT sure got their attention!! Unless, of course, they were listening to their ipods