"ON YOUR LEFT" we say

[roshelleuop]

The thread about headphones made me think of another thread I think many of you will relate to. I always yell out "on your left" to anyone on the road and/or bike path. I do this at home where I come across walkers, runners, groups of kids, and/or cyclists. I also do it during events and I have the same problem.

When I say, "on your left", 50% of the time the person MOVES TO THEIR LEFT!!!! Or the less experienced cyclists, will hear me, look over their left shoulder, which in turn steers their bike left~~ right into my path!

I was wondering if there was something better for me to call out. I've tried all tactics:
1 - saying it earlier (this usually gives them more time to move completely in my way)
2 - saying it later (this often times startles the person and I don't want to do that)
3 - saying it twice (I've had people snipe "I heard you" , so I don't think they like that)

What do you ladies say to get the person's attention?

Roshelle from Milwaukee

[Lenusik]

I just say "Good Morning" or "Evening", and pass them with a smile on my face.

You don't have to say a word. They would usually hear you. You just need to observe their movements before passing them. Some people may just freak out and swirve toward you.

[Quillfred]

How about adding "passing" to on your left?

[Squeaky]

I do add "passing" to "on your left" which gets the same result as the OP's, ie., some people move left. I had to tell a lady 3 times, passing on your left, and each time she moved farther left (yes I was going very slow). Finally I said, don't move, and passed on the right... oy....

[Bluetree]

I have found "on your left" leaves no impression (or causes the opposite reaction). I just say, "behind you" or freewheel a bit so people can hear me coming. If they have headphones on, it wouldn't matter what I say or do, since they won't hear me anyway. Joggers/walkers don't bother me as much as bladers (who take up a LOT of lateral space and almost always have headphones on) and people who don't keep dogs/children close at their sides.

[Kalidurga]

I'm finding that "Bicycle behind you!" (suggested by someone here at the forum) works better than "Passing on the ___". You do also have to give people time to react since they often forget that they're not the only person on the trail , so call out as far behind them as you can and still be heard. Then, let them choose to which side of the trail they want to move.

Though I have had groups of people scatter to both sides and have then had to weave through them... No matter what you call when, nothing's fool-proof.

[Adventure Girl]

I'm in favor of saying, "passing on your left" in a strong voice. Also, when someone says it to me, I hold my line and say, "thank you" in strong voice. I don't think there's a good solution to this problem. The people in the real world (non-cyclists) are not aware and familiar with this concept. Also, I ride often in a tourist area and many of the people don't understand english.

I did notice something on the century ride I did this weekend. For about 50 miles of the ride, I was riding with only people doing the century. For the other 50 miles, I was mixed in with metric and century riders. I noticed a big difference in how the metric riders handled this.

It's a big generalization, but it sure seemed to me like the metric riders were less familiar with holding their line -- and with general group riding procedures in general.

[Cassandra_Cain]

I usually say 'Bike on your left' in road situations, in advance too where I'm going to pass in say a few seconds. As opposed to saying 'bike left' and blasting by OR not saying anything which is one of my pet peeves~!

Should I be on a bike path I'll slow down and be a bit closer as at least half the time, the riders are wearing headphones - then you saying something is irrelevant.