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 John S. on September 30, 2011 at 1:34pm

I agree Carter, if I'm changing lanes I need to look behind me. 

 

However, if I move as much as just one foot, staying in the same lane, and the person passing is planning on passing me from only a foot away, we have a problem.

Permalink Reply by Carter O'Brien on September 30, 2011 at 1:44pm
Gotcha, and yes, agreed 100%.  My only real issue with calling out is you just can't have a one-size-fits-all approach, as on same days when the path is heavily trafficked you'd just hear nothing but a horrible orchestra of people shouting.

John S. said:

I agree Carter, if I'm changing lanes I need to look behind me. 

 

However, if I move as much as just one foot, staying in the same lane, and the person passing is planning on passing me from only a foot away, we have a problem.

Permalink Reply by David Lieb on September 30, 2011 at 2:05pm
OTOH, a few weeks ago I was riding up Algonquin Rd in Des Plaines from Oakton up to Wolf about midnight on a Monday. In the forest preserve stretch there are nice smooth wide asphalt shoulders, although sometimes the brush sticks clear out to the edge of the lane. I was cruising up there when suddenly another cyclist went zipping past me IN THE WRONG DIRECTION!!! No lights, no warning, nothing. Startled the heck out of me. No idea how he could tell where he was going. Maybe he had no clue that he was on the wrong side of the road? I had my Vis360 on as well as my Blackburn Flea flashing away on my handlebars, so he certainly knew I was there...
Permalink Reply by Tony De Sadier on September 30, 2011 at 3:58pm
It is just rude, impolite, unsafe and disrespectful. Please continue saying it. Thank you so much. And what about giving a smile and a hello, a wave, a head nod when you are approaching another rider. I get more hand waves from 18-wheel truckers on the highway! Bikers...get off your high horse. If riding a bike is such a chore and you can't stand the sight of another biker, stay at home and play video games! It is not just the Lake bike path, though it is number one in my book. And don't get me wrong, sometime I get so focused that all I see is the front tire. But in general I am riding to have fun and wishing everyone else is having fun too! And it doesn't matter if I am riding to Waukegan or Momence or Buckingham Fountain. So enjoy this short summer we have and leave that sour dough attitude at home. P.S No disrespect to video game players or bakers around the world.   
Permalink Reply by Rhea Butcher on September 30, 2011 at 4:05pm
Heck yeah Tony!

Tony De Sadier said:
It is just rude, impolite, unsafe and disrespectful. Please continue saying it. Thank you so much. And what about giving a smile and a hello, a wave, a head nod when you are approaching another rider. I get more hand waves from 18-wheel truckers on the highway! Bikers...get off your high horse. If riding a bike is such a chore and you can't stand the sight of another biker, stay at home and play video games! It is not just the Lake bike path, though it is number one in my book. And don't get me wrong, sometime I get so focused that all I see is the front tire. But in general I am riding to have fun and wishing everyone else is having fun too! And it doesn't matter if I am riding to Waukegan or Momence or Buckingham Fountain. So enjoy this short summer we have and leave that sour dough attitude at home. P.S No disrespect to video game players or bakers around the world.   
Permalink Reply by Seemore Psycle Werks on September 30, 2011 at 7:10pm

In my opinion, more and more people are riding with either their ear buds or them new fancy over the ear headphones, which reminds me of the shit we had in the seventies, so it make no difference.  I think riding with your second most importance sense hindered is dangerous, but that's another forum debate.

 

He probably wasn't a messenger, just a poisenger, and was pissed that he got passed by a girl. 

 

Do what you think is right.  If you have to cut it close, a curtesy bell or "I'm here" when passing someone is alway appreciated.  Well, by me anyways!

 

I was actually thanked one night when I passed someone on my way home.  Just that little thank you made my night better.

 

I think we can all be a little nicer on the road.

 

 

Permalink Reply by DRU Williams-Clark on September 30, 2011 at 10:09pm

My personal opinion on this is that folks are mixing race or organized ride etiquette with traffic law.  I can't get upset with someone for not waiving me into traffic when I'm merging in a car, so I'm not going to get upset with someone who doesn't call out their position as they pass on a bicycle.  

 

What bothers me is when some yayhoo in short pants tries to follow me with a six inch birth to the left.  If I were to swerve to the left, I'd hit said yayhoo.  I'd get hurt.  The yayhoo would get hurt.  This is easily avoided by maintaining safe following distance, which is mandated by traffic law.

Permalink Reply by Damon on October 1, 2011 at 8:20pm
I usually only call the pass if the person I'm passing isn't wearing headphones and I'll have to maintain a type berth for some reason. Otherwise, I just leave a lot of space and pass in silence.
Permalink Reply by Molly on October 2, 2011 at 5:30pm
I had a guy pass me on my right! He had plenty of room to go around me on my left but chose to go on the gravel. It scared the living h*ll out of me.     I was so p*ssed at him for scaring me like that.
Permalink Reply by MeganK on October 2, 2011 at 6:35pm
I ring my bell since my voice is really soft and doesn't carry and only pass when I can take the car lane. Sometimes yahoos will get passed by me while they are going really slow then ride around me if they catch up at a stop light so they can be in front of me again, and I have to pass them again. Passing on the right is the worst. I've been passed by people on both sides at the same time on Milwaukee more than once.
Permalink Reply by Rhea Butcher on October 3, 2011 at 8:11am
Ah, the old "leapfrog", or at least that's what I like to call it. 

MeganK said:
I ring my bell since my voice is really soft and doesn't carry and only pass when I can take the car lane. Sometimes yahoos will get passed by me while they are going really slow then ride around me if they catch up at a stop light so they can be in front of me again, and I have to pass them again. Passing on the right is the worst. I've been passed by people on both sides at the same time on Milwaukee more than once.
Permalink Reply by Joe on October 3, 2011 at 2:50pm

1) People need to learn to ride in a straight line.
2) Many are wearing headphonse and won't hear you anyway.
3) Passing anything or anyone on the right is wrong. You're asking to be hit by a vehicle or fellow rider.

4) Learn to use hand signals, don't just dart to the left or right.

5) Stop at red lights, the person that just passed you that you insisted on riding around at the red light is going to pass you again. It's dangerous for both of you. For them because they need to ride into traffic again to get around you, and for you because they're going to put a stick in your front wheel. Stop behind them at the light, say hi.

 

 

 

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