The Chainlink

Passing other cyclists

Is there a reason that no one ever says "on your left" anymore? I was actually called out for not doing so by a messenger about 3 weeks ago passing him on his left over the brigde heading southbound on Milwaukee, just before Grand/Halsted. I was embarassed but realized that no matter how close or far (I thought I left plenty of room for him to swerve) you are to someone it helps/doesn't hurt to let them know you're there. It's just courtesy. In the weeks since I have been keeping a mental inventory of how many people (generally) actually say anything when passing. So here is my unofficial count from three weeks of rush hour commuting:

-1-

Do cyclists not like doing it? Do they think it is rude itself? I decided to post this today finally after being passed in the rain this morning (9.27.11) on my RIGHT by about a foot, with no warning. 

 

 

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on September 27, 2011 at 1:16pm
I like to give people some indication out of courtesy.  Whether I ring my bell or say "on your left" depends on the situation - ambient noise, whether the person is wearing headphones, etc. 

I get frustrated when someone passes me FAST and comes up silently, almost clipping me.  Those have the potential to be nasty accidents for one or both of us.  I'd rather know if someone is about to pass me, and I'd rather give others the same courtesy.
Permalink Reply by Juan 2-3 or more mi. on September 27, 2011 at 1:18pm
Not to worry, I get yelled at for going the wrong way, wearing my headphones, not wearing a helmet, and even just for wearing my skivies ;)
Permalink Reply by bryan on September 27, 2011 at 1:28pm

almost every time i say it when passing a pedestrian, they will turn around and move to their left. *facepalm*

 

i never say it on LFP passing cyclists because they should always be ready to be passed and or checking around your surroundings. if you're not aware, oh well.

 

i will say it passing cyclists on forest trails.

Permalink Reply by Tim S on September 27, 2011 at 2:05pm
Perhaps I don't do it enough but I figure I give enough room when available, or I will call out when not. On the LFP its a combo for sure but you should expect to be passed if riding at a leisurly pace, and please keep to the right.

RE - Passing on the right - serious dick move for sure.
Permalink Reply by Duppie on September 27, 2011 at 2:12pm
I don't say "on your left" very much, but that may be because I rarely pass anyone. I am usually the one that gets passed.
Permalink Reply by Matt T on September 27, 2011 at 2:14pm

 


Me too!


Duppie said:

I don't say "on your left" very much, but that may be because I rarely pass anyone. I am usually the one that gets passed.
Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on September 27, 2011 at 2:45pm

I need a bell.

In the loop or traffic I can't hear you.

Permalink Reply by Christian on September 27, 2011 at 3:06pm
I say Beep Beep :)
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on September 27, 2011 at 3:15pm

On LFP is one of the places where we REALLY need to use this kind of courtesy.  We may expect to be passed at some point, but right at the moment when a faster cyclist is silently overtaking us, there may be a dog approaching from the side, or a pedestrian suddenly stopping in front of us.  If you are the speedy cyclist overtaking others, please do NOT assume that those you are passing are aware you're there.  Even if we have side mirrors, there may be distractions that keep our eyes and attention on the path ahead at that critical passing moment.

 

If I'm passing non-cyclists or someone whose language might not be English, I ring my bell, which pretty much everyone seems to recognize as an overtaking cyclist.


bryan said:

almost every time i say it when passing a pedestrian, they will turn around and move to their left. *facepalm*

 

i never say it on LFP passing cyclists because they should always be ready to be passed and or checking around your surroundings. if you're not aware, oh well.

 

i will say it passing cyclists on forest trails.

Permalink Reply by Carter O'Brien on September 27, 2011 at 3:42pm
Bingo. 

Tim S said:
Perhaps I don't do it enough but I figure I give enough room when available, or I will call out when not. On the LFP its a combo for sure but you should expect to be passed if riding at a leisurly pace, and please keep to the right.

RE - Passing on the right - serious dick move for sure.
Permalink Reply by Carter O'Brien on September 27, 2011 at 3:46pm

I'll just add quite often on the LFP it simply isn't possible to call out to everyone you pass.  I'm really not convinced it's either necessary or desirable, for that matter.  When the path is crowded the basic rules of etiquette are to be predictable, to not pass on the right, and to not pass cyclists already passing someone else.  You shouldn't be buzzing by somebody so closely that it freaks them out, calling out or no.

 

That said, I will call out if I can't completely use the other lane or if the person I'm passing looks more clueless than is usual.  I'm going to get a bell, as I do think that's a better approach.

Permalink Reply by Rhea Butcher on September 27, 2011 at 4:02pm

I will be getting a new bell as well. I had one, used to use it all the time and got tons of dirty looks! I guess you can't win and just have to be on the side of cautious. A side note, I once was turning and used my bell to let a car know I was coming up on the right and the driver told me to "eff off!" for using my bell. Fun. Ah well. Thanks for all the replies! 

Passing on the right is dumb. 

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