manshoaling

So people. Look. Every single day, at some point in my ride to work or from work or for errands or whatever, at least once, a man pulls up behind me, a woman, who is waiting at a light and just assumes, in the absence of other information (for I have been placidly waiting, perhaps, for a while) that I must be slower than he is,

He therefore thinks that he should aggressively pull in front of me or cut me off, because I, a lady, will only get in his way! Shortly, this gentleman and I both find that he actually isn't a faster or stronger rider than I am, and sometimes we discover this whilst, say, going over the river along Damen! Either way, I then have to pass him, which makes things less safe for both of us. Please, dudes. STOP DOING THIS. IT'S RUDE AND YOU'LL FEEL BAD LATER AND YOUR SELF-ESTEEM IS NOT MY PROBLEM.

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by berner fone on June 25, 2018 at 1:00pm

and DON'T @ ME

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by TonyP on June 25, 2018 at 4:09pm

Are you positive that these men assume that they are stronger than you because you are a woman? These men might also be the type that need to pass anyone who is in front of them, you know, just like some people drive their cars.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Alex Z on June 26, 2018 at 2:35am

Fair point--as a man this happens to me as well. But I am sure OP is right that men do this subconsciously (and rudely) to women more often.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Filka Bean on June 25, 2018 at 4:41pm

We could ask around if some millionaire wants to fund a giant city-wide lane separation project?

Seriously, though, that does sound totally obnoxious. Bummer!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on June 25, 2018 at 11:52pm

People do to basket and cargo bikes a lot as well; super annoying.

Personally, I enjoy passing them; especially if it ends up a situation where I get to repeatedly pass them after every light they pass me at.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Alex Z on June 26, 2018 at 2:35am

Oh man--the first pass can be satisfying, but when they KEEP shoaling after that? Irritating.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by David Barish on June 26, 2018 at 3:31am

I am reluctant to add to this thread because I am not sure you are inviting a chorus of men to add to this discussion but I thought about this yesterday while riding in. I came up behind a female rider who was riding at about my speed, but perhaps less than 1 mph slower. I intentionally did not pass her mainly because I did not want to speed up to do so and preferred to just ride my speed. She was a good leader and managed city traffic well. We did not exchange a word and barely looked at each other. However, as we rode I was conscious that I could appear to be a creep who was simply staring at her behind or a stalker or worse.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by TonyP on June 26, 2018 at 3:43am

Kinda "damned if you do, damned if you don't".

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on June 26, 2018 at 3:56am

Good call. I don't mind if someone rides behind me - I don't find it creepy or stalky but just frankly, respectful and cool. David, I believe you are on the positive end of the spectrum of riding. There are a lot of men here, on CL that are.

But I completely understand JS POV because it happens. A lot. I remember that guy from last year, during rush hour, that skipped over every women at a light, going into the oncoming bike lane to pass all of us at a busy light. When I caught up with him, he was tucked in behind a group of men that weren't faster than the women but somehow, he felt deserved more respect. If it's busy and a guy plays frogger with women by cutting in front of us, it doesn't look awesome for him.