Do YOU yell at cyclists to get off the road?

[zoom-zoom]

I really dislike bike police, the self-important cyclists who think they know everything, who issue proclamations without any understanding of what is going on.

I've run into one of these, recently on a group ride. She seems to assume that I know nothing, simply because she's old enough to be my mom and uber-fit (I'm 20+s overweight and struggle with overly large hills from that, compounded by asthma--but I'm still faster up hills than others we ride with)...she reminds me a LOT of my MIL--in build, fitness, and demeanor.

I get to this week's ride when it's 90 at 6pm and haven't yet put my helmet on, since it's at least 15 minutes before we roll and the last thing I want to do is make myself warmer for no reason. My helmet is actually hanging on my handlebars, but she couldn't see it with a car between us. So she very condescendingly says "don't you have a helmet?" She's ridden with me once before...not sure why she assumes that I don't have a helmet on this particular instance.

Later we're pacelining and after about a mile of pulling I drop off. Shortly after I drop a huge pick-up truck appears from behind (it's a somewhat winding stretch of road) and very aggressively passes us, macho-ly gunning his engine and acting very put-out that he had to deal with passing a group of riders--with one of us 2-abreast (legal here in MI).

Again, in a condescending tone of voice, she "instructs" me to check behind before dropping back. Duh, I have a rear-view mirror on my bike...which I use religiously. I also always double-check by glancing over my shoulder to make sure that I'm seeing the whole picture.

So, yeah...last thing I want to do is come off like that. It does nothing to encourage others to ride more or ride better. The only time I speak up is if another cyclist or pedestrian is truly putting my safety at risk with their behavior.

[katluvr]

More about the riding w/ traffic and walking/running against traffic (some of this mentioned here)...
I was TAUGHT in kindergarden (I am pretty sure all my early days) that you walk facing traffic and ride w/ traffic. Do they not teach that any more? I was just a regular kid and I'm in my upper 40's now?
I run in a neighborhood and everyday I end up running face to face w/ another runner. And the bike against traffic IN A BIKE LANE...OMG, don't get me started. I really thought everyone knew the rules of the road, it was like learning to cross the street and look both ways. I am not sure they teach that anymore, either.
Ok, sorry for my rant.
Yes, I do for bicylists if I encounter them in a bike lane going the wrong way I let them know they are, because it endangers me. Most often no matter how nice I say it they don't seem to take it very politely. As for walkers and runners...I just don't have the energy to remind them to face traffic (or how about a little flashy light when it dark or just dusk/or before dawn, the hardest time to see anyone if you are driving a car!)

K

[zoom-zoom]

More about the riding w/ traffic and walking/running against traffic (some of this mentioned here)...
I was TAUGHT in kindergarden (I am pretty sure all my early days) that you walk facing traffic and ride w/ traffic. Do they not teach that any more? I was just a regular kid and I'm in my upper 40's now?
I run in a neighborhood and everyday I end up running face to face w/ another runner. And the bike against traffic IN A BIKE LANE...OMG, don't get me started. I really thought everyone knew the rules of the road, it was like learning to cross the street and look both ways. I am not sure they teach that anymore, either.

I don't think they teach it around here, either, if the local kids are any measure. The adults are rarely better.

[jessmarimba]

No, but I get yelled at by cyclists to get on the sidewalk when I run on the road!

(I can't run on concrete - I will usually pop out of their way if I have time or see cars that will endanger them, but it doesn't stop them from yelling!)

[Antaresia]

I've told other people (kids) to use the right side of a round-about. They have signs on all of them showing you to keep right; why people go left is beyond me. I don't really want to pass you in of one of those things, even less so if there is a car or two around.

I've been told "riding on the sidewalk is illegal, you know", which I thought was funny. I only hopped up there because I was going into the very apartment complex the lady was yelling from, I really didn't think biking a couple of feet would get me in trouble
I can't get away with anything!

[Velocivixen]

If you truly hope to help their riding skills or knowledge, then shouting at them in any capacity won't help. A lot of people also don't give a sh*t what others say, so they're not willing to be helped anyway.
Also, you don't know their particular situation, as mentioned in Darcy's post above.

So....no, don't yell. It doesn't help.

[TsPoet]

You are all right, of course.
A few years ago, I thought about trying to buy a dozen copies of "the art of urban cycling" to throw at them instead. Not work, might hurt someone, and expensive - still I thought about it.