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 Poptart on January 3, 2012 at 8:06am

I don't get passed often. I usually try and pass safely. If its close I call out Left. If its not I just pass with room and keep on going. 

Only use the bell for joggers and walkers. 

I don't really see the need unless you are in a bike lane with passing traffic, or the path with passing traffic.

Permalink Reply by Paul Halupka on January 3, 2012 at 8:08am

Sometimes it feels weird to announce yourself, but I just try to remember that the other cyclists out here are on my team, and this is an easy way to say hi. Instead of just "On your left", I'll try to throw in a good morning! and a smile for my road allies. We gotta take care of each other, and part of that is safety, part of that is creating a friendly environment to ride in.

Permalink Reply by David Barish on January 3, 2012 at 9:19am

I always try to do so.  The only times I do not is when the street or path is uber crowded and people are constantly passing each other or when I am passing a bunch. I will not repeat for everybody.  I might utter a reminder every handful or riders or so.    Of course, the way people say, "on your left" is always variable.  Some quietly throw it out almost as a question or apology while others bark it out as if they are really saying, "Get the @#$& outta my way."  There's a lot of middle ground out there.  When I call I am not asking somebody to move over. That's my job.  If I want to pass its up to me to make it happen.  I have a bell on one of my bikes. I save the bell or my bell replacement yelp for motorized vehicles.  Riders always get a voice.  I figure a voice makes it  a discussion. I'm not having a discussion with a car but am glad to engage with a cyclist.

Permalink Reply by Nick Butterfield on January 3, 2012 at 9:23pm

when it's a group of riders i typically give them a hearty "on your collective lefts" and enjoy the opportunity to be loud

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on January 4, 2012 at 2:44am

The way I see it, in most situations, if you have to say "on your left" as you pass someone then you probably are passing too closely anyhow.  Saying something to warn someone doesn't excuse buzzing them.    There are times when it becomes necessary to vocalize or use the bell -but those should be the exception and not the rule.

If one is being polite and not simply driving too fast in traffic and through situations where there isn't enough room for people to move at different speeds safely then such measures are unnessaryily most of the time.

Vocalizing and dinging bells at people you are passing left and right isn't an excuse for treating the streets like some sort of video game like The Need for Speed.    

Permalink Reply by David of the North (David606xx) on February 9, 2012 at 1:46pm

I started thinking that I might sound like a dick saying it, so I started singing it instead.  Seems to work, and it's kinda fun, too.  Also effective and less dickish-sounding:  "Nice day for it!" "How you doing today?" and the like.

Permalink Reply by Nick Butterfield on February 9, 2012 at 8:13pm

that occurred to me today, the second time my saying it elicited a weird look. i think i might just switch to a loud, drawn out "hellooooo!" or just a barked "hi!" when i'm out of breath.

David606xx said:

I started thinking that I might sound like a dick saying it, so I started singing it instead.  Seems to work, and it's kinda fun, too.  Also effective and less dickish-sounding:  "Nice day for it!" "How you doing today?" and the like.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on February 9, 2012 at 9:01pm

+1 

I rarely do this with the intent of getting people to move over.  The exception is when people are riding, walking or running two or more abreast, so that they're blocking the path.  I'm not buzzing people, just giving them a heads up in case they're about to make a sudden move to the left (in front of me) that I'm not expecting.

On the flipside, I hate it when someone buzzes right by my elbow VERY fast in traffic without giving any warning.  How do they know that I'm not about to move left (into their path) to avoid a potential dooring?  A courteous warning to help avoid collisions is a good thing.

David Barish said:

I always try to do so.  The only times I do not is when the street or path is uber crowded and people are constantly passing each other or when I am passing a bunch. I will not repeat for everybody.  I might utter a reminder every handful or riders or so.    Of course, the way people say, "on your left" is always variable.  Some quietly throw it out almost as a question or apology while others bark it out as if they are really saying, "Get the @#$& outta my way."  There's a lot of middle ground out there.  When I call I am not asking somebody to move over. That's my job.  If I want to pass its up to me to make it happen.  I have a bell on one of my bikes. I save the bell or my bell replacement yelp for motorized vehicles.  Riders always get a voice.  I figure a voice makes it  a discussion. I'm not having a discussion with a car but am glad to engage with a cyclist.

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