Cycling etiquette

Hi, Leo!

This was a good post. Just two days ago my hubby and I were side by side on the bike path, and another cyclist came up behind us. Because the Fall leaves were crackling so loudly under our own tires and we were talking, we didn't hear him. He then called out, 'Coming up on your left!', but by the time he did he was so close he scared us to death, and it was sheer luck that Dear Hubby went left and I went right, leaving a path for him to squeeze through. (Hubby knows he should have gone right, too, but also knew that I was nearly startled into stone, and he might have run into me.)

I've scared a couple people calling out to them that I was coming up, but since I got my bell I haven't given anybody heart failure, lol. It's such a pretty sound that they just look back and smile, and move aside.

Good suggestions!

Thanks. I didn't think I was the only this happened to [IMG]/img/vbsmilies/smilies/redface.gif[/IMG] I don't have a bell on my commuter bike, because I like to think that if I need to alert others, I can say something. If it's critical, that's when the AirZound would come in handy. (Gotta put that on my xmas list)

Leo, I also think it is good manners to announce yourself when overtaking another rider. And it should be done in a way that doesn't startle the heck out of them if they are completely unaware that someone is behind them.

I also think that with practice you should be able to use a mirror well enough to know what is happening behind you the majority of the time. If you have a good mirror that's mounted in the proper position you should be able to quickly scan the road immediately ahead of you, the road in the distance, and the road behind you constantly without undo effort.

It should be the same method that you were taught to use when drive a car, keep your eyes busy: scan near, scan far, scan instruments and scan mirrors constantly. As you know after awhile it just becomes second nature, and you can still admire the sights out the window as long as you don't forget about everything else when you do it.

If you have a good mirror and you make an effort to use it, I bet there won't be too many people sneaking up behind you. [IMG]/img/vbsmilies/smilies/wink.gif[/IMG]

Personally, that all sounds like too much hard work.

Just a gentle "hi" and a nod and a smile as I ride past. Nothing more needs to be said...

... unless it's some folks you know, in which case you sneak up behind them in a big gear, call them a bunch of lazy slackers and put the hammer down in a taunting manner.

Hi, Swampy!

I love it when cyclists nod and smile as we pass; it feels like we're all buddies. My only problem is that sometimes they sneak up behind me before I realize they're there, and then the gentle 'hi' can startle me off the path, lol. Once I get my mirror mounted, that shouldn't be a problem.

I'm really beginning to love not only cycling but cyclists. Last week on our ride Helpful Hubby was adjusting my seat when another cyclist rode up. Although I was obviously already being assisted, he stopped and asked if we needed any help. You don't see that kind of thing much these days.

Have a good one.

I always alert riders ahead of me before I overtake them. I make sure they are aware of me before I make my move. I also never overtake anyone at an intersection. As far as other riders overtaking me I dont get hung up on them alerting me or not. I am in control of my bike and as long as they do not physically hit me or push me into a ditch so be it.

64 Paramount, I definitely could use a better mirror and I plan to get one for the right side as well, but considering the margin of travel path when on city streets, I think it's inconsiderate and unsafe to potentially surprise someone else when passing.
But that's me, and apparently I'm in a minority of riders in my area.

I generally accelerate in the riders slipstream and as i'm about to run into them, I step off the wheel and attack in the 12 cog as hard as I can.

My humble recommendation would be to get in the habit of checking your mirror more often, not just for other cyclists, but for motorist. You start noticing some strange things motorist do, like drifting into the bikelane... I know it's a PITA in the beginning, but eventually frequent checks in the mirror becomes second-nature (and always remember to never get distracted by your mirror).

I've never had a cyclist sneak up on me, but I have sneaked up on mirrorless cyclists many times, but I don't draft for the same reason I don't follow too close when driving a car -- it's dangerous. Therefore, I never announce my presence, just not necessary, nor do I announce when I pass, because I go way outside (when all clear) and zip by.

However, I would annonce if there were no option to pass without a wide berth.

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by john gault [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

I don't draft for the same reason I don't follow too close when driving a car -- it's dangerous. Therefore, I never announce my presence, just not necessary, nor do I announce when I pass, because I go way outside (when all clear) and zip by.

However, I would annonce if there were no option to pass without a wide berth.

Same here. If I were to announce every time I pass another cyclist, I'd never have any peace! The only time I call out is when I'm on the sidewalk of a viaduct or bridge that doesn't have a seperate bike path (and I don't use bells, for the simple reason that when I have, pedestrians have a habit of moving in front of my path, instead of away from it.).

Well when it comes to overtaking those slower its just about seeing what they are doing and giving adequate room -

In terms of cycling etiquette the thing that really bugs me is people blocking paths!

You are cycling behind them through traffic and then they decide that they are too scared to go through a gap. So they decide to just sit with their bike half way in it and block anyone else actually going through.
the other on is at the lights.
Someone infront of you is filtering through the traffic to the front of the lights.
but as soon as they get to the front they stop, right there!
so now your stuck behind them, and inbetween cars / busses.

Personally i think these people are idiots and should get off the road as they clearly have no awareness of their surroundings, they are probably a danger to themselves.

Hello Everyone,

I'm New to cycling and never got the run down on etiquette. I am guilty of rolling right by others without any warning at all. I don't want to add to the issue and I'm sure there's other offensives I've committed on my commutes. Is there a good website that outlines correct riding etiquette?

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by danrche [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

Hello Everyone,

I'm New to cycling and never got the run down on etiquette. I am guilty of rolling right by others without any warning at all. I don't want to add to the issue and I'm sure there's other offensives I've committed on my commutes. Is there a good website that outlines correct riding etiquette?

Probably not. Depending on where you live, you could join a cycling club or group and learn their (hopefully good) habits. Check out BikeJournal.com, Bikeforums.com as well to learn what collective thoughts are out there. From my perspective, as I'm tooling along, I'm looking at my mirror occasionally, but it's pretty small, so I'm not going to spend extra time looking at it as the majority of dangers to cyclists come from the front or side.

My point is, it startles me when riders zip by, in the bike lane or in a traffic lane, so why would you want to possibly do that to a stranger? Just a thought. Another idea to mull over is, if you ride in an area without many cyclists, why NOT verbally interact with another rider? I can see it being a chore if you ride in cities with numerous riders to pass, so then a bell or horn to let overtaking traffic know you're back there is a small gesture to avoid an inadvertant collision if they move suddenly into your path. But if you ride where there are few riders, why wouldn't you want to say hi?

Just a thought...thanks for asking about this though.

I just pass safely just like when I'm driving a car. I don't toot my horn every time I pass when I'm driving, I don't shout or ring a bell every time I'm passing while riding.

I've tried a bell and a horn on the bike, but nobody hears it above the traffic noise, or if they're listening to music. So I quit using it.

I hate, absolutely hate, yelling, so I don't do that. I hate it when people yell at me to pass.

I just watch carefully, plan carefully, wait for the proper opportunity and pass carefully..... yes, just like I'm driving.

I also cycle like that - stay on a line, stay in my lane so I don't need to be warned when others pass me.

All this calling out, etc. is for the birds.

Since I started riding three months ago, I was told you should warn cyclists as you pass too. I've done it three times. The first and third time, the cyclist in front almost jumped out of their skin to my cheery "hello, coming past on your right!" and no, I didn't sneak up close and yell it! The second time, the guy checked over his shoulder, and as I passed him I heard the "clunk clunk clunk" of him gearing up. Saw him stand and start to pedal after me. My competitive genes kicked in, leaving me powerless to do anything but gear up myself and go for it, and we were then both going hell for leather. After what seemed like two miles down the road I stop for a red light, blowing out of my **s, and he pulls up alongside, blowing out of his. We smile and nod at each other, and then both go for it agai. when the lights change - thankfully he went left and I went straight over, or I think one of us would have died. I don't announce anymore, its too dangerous, either with them falling off with shock, or me having a heart attack being unable to resist a race.

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by Camilo [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

I just pass safely just like when I'm driving a car. I don't toot my horn every time I pass when I'm driving, I don't shout or ring a bell every time I'm passing while riding.

I've tried a bell and a horn on the bike, but nobody hears it above the traffic noise, or if they're listening to music. So I quit using it.

I hate, absolutely hate, yelling, so I don't do that. I hate it when people yell at me to pass.

I just watch carefully, plan carefully, wait for the proper opportunity and pass carefully..... yes, just like I'm driving.

I also cycle like that - stay on a line, stay in my lane so I don't need to be warned when others pass me.

All this calling out, etc. is for the birds.

I agree about the stay in my lane so no one has to call out to me and vice versa, and I always check over my shoulder before I stray from my line to make sure I don't fowl anyone up. I think my biggest concern is joggers/walkers (more walkers then joggers). I've started to call out to them "passing left" but it doesn't seem to make a difference, they usually can't hear over their ipod's and freak out (and I pass slowly under 10 mph). Since checking out the suggested links and doing a bit of research on the "rules of the road" where I live, I feel like I've become a more courteous rider.

Thanks for all the pointers

Cheers!

You're doing the right thing. I like having a bell much better. If I'm coming up on someone, I ring the bell probably 25-50 feet behind them. If they can't hear my bell over their iPod, then that's their deal, I'm not overly cautious and worried about scaring them. I don't just blast by them, but I don't slow down to a crawl either. Usually, though, I'm courteous and wave or say hi, unless they have headphones on.
It ain't a race, there's no reason to get all competitive when you see another cyclists. Although it can be fun to chase someone down a little, I usually don't bother.

I commute on a very busy path but I hate it when someone blows by me and blurts out anything. I have overtaken hundreds of rider without incident having never blurted out "On your left!" I would say the times verbal warnings startle me the most is when they are completely uncalled for. I'm holding my line, staying far right riding tempo, visibility is ample for passing, and out of the blue "On your left!" WTF! Did you just sneak up behind me and honk your horn.

The only time I use a verbal announcement includes a drastic reduction in speed because someone is blocking the path or creating a dangerous passing situation. Dogs, kids, etc... Please use verbal announcements sparingly and only when called for. Blasting past rides at pace and blurting out anything is pretty rude behavior.

Subaru Elephant Rock Classic, 7,000 riders on century course. I passed and was passed hundreds of times and never heard or delivered a single "On your left." 30 minute commute by path in the summer, I receive about 5 "On your lefts" a day. 5 days a week = 25 = 100 times a month. Just riding to work I probably get "On your lefted!" 500 times a year. If I factor in my recreational rides, that number doubles to triples. After about 5,000 or so "On your lefts," it gets pretty old and tired.

Please use judgement when doling out verbal announcements and use only when called for.

It's common courtesy to call out "on your left". Maybe you should ride where riders don't exercise that courtesy, like in a gym, at home on a trainer, and etc.