Cyclists of Chicago, please...

...pass on the left. Thank you. 

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Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on August 31, 2012 at 6:50am

Good points, h and James.  My new bike came with a bell, but I am not yet in the habit of using it.  When I do remember, it does work better than "on your left".

I do appreciate it, though, when cyclists passing me say "on your left" as they approach.  I listen to try to know what is coming up behind me since I have yet to get the mirror and cannot turn my head often enough.  So please keep saying it, folks, or ring your bell!

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on August 31, 2012 at 6:52am

I find that bells generally work well on other cyclists, but are pretty much useless against clueless peds on the Lake Front Trail.

Permalink Reply by Tricolor on August 31, 2012 at 7:27am

Indeed.  If you're passing someone it's your responsibility to get by without causing them (or other traffic) any grief.  If there's no space, slow down and wait until there is.

James BlackHeron said:

Just to be sure everyone is aware of this, folks should not be riding in the "door zone"
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on August 31, 2012 at 7:34am

My experience has been rather different from yours.  I often find that bells are more effective with peds (especially non-English speaking peds) than calling out.

Adam Herstein said:

I find that bells generally work well on other cyclists, but are pretty much useless against clueless peds on the Lake Front Trail.

Permalink Reply by Beau Sessions on August 31, 2012 at 8:07am

Every time one of us runs through a red light, aggravates a motorist, sits oddly halfway into the interesection or scares a clueless weekender, we put our future in jeopardy. We have all done it at times and there are, at times, some practical reasons to do it, but the reality of the situation is that our population has grown immensely and we are representatives of a better lifestyle. You may get away with it unscathed (for awhile) but I guarantee you that your actions will have negative results for the next bicyclist. Hope I don't sound like I'm getting old, I just really love every aspect of bicycling and plan on doing it for the rest of my life.

Oh, and if this seems slightly off the subject I apologize. It came up when someone mentioned being passed on the right as someone then proceeded to blow through two red lights.

Permalink Reply by Barbra Mann on November 14, 2012 at 3:54pm

Just let someone know you are behind them they'll move to the right.  A bell or an 'on your left' would be so cool.  Yet is so rare.  It's worth slowing down and pausing for a sec while the slow one in front figures out you're coming. 

Elliot Bennett said:

I agree with the pass on the left sentiment...but that also assumes that slower riders are riding to the right side of the path, which in my experience is not always the case. (example: just about anyone riding a Bobby's Bike Rental bike on the Lake Shore Path)

Permalink Reply by Barbra Mann on November 14, 2012 at 3:55pm

And if you're REAL cool you make a friendly noise...on your left or a bell or even whistle a tune.   C'mon Chicago cool up your game!

Permalink Reply by pat 5.5mi on November 14, 2012 at 4:13pm

nicely put

Beau Sessions said:

Every time one of us runs through a red light, aggravates a motorist, sits oddly halfway into the interesection or scares a clueless weekender, we put our future in jeopardy. We have all done it at times and there are, at times, some practical reasons to do it, but the reality of the situation is that our population has grown immensely and we are representatives of a better lifestyle. You may get away with it unscathed (for awhile) but I guarantee you that your actions will have negative results for the next bicyclist. Hope I don't sound like I'm getting old, I just really love every aspect of bicycling and plan on doing it for the rest of my life.

Oh, and if this seems slightly off the subject I apologize. It came up when someone mentioned being passed on the right as someone then proceeded to blow through two red lights.

Permalink Reply by Bill Savage on November 15, 2012 at 4:44am

I ride slow (10 mph average) and so get passed a lot.  When cyclists pass me on the left without warning, I always say "On MY left!" in a "F*&* You" tone of voice.  Half the time, this elicits no response; about a quarter of the time I get an apology, and the rest of the time I'm told to perform an autoerotic impossibility.  This last response especially comes from cyclists riding fast at night with no lights and dark clothes, so I don't see them in my mirror (which I check every five-ten seconds).  This is, as so many of our conversations are, really about just plain old common sense and courtesy.  And Amen to Beau Sessions's comment about the general etiquette of the road.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on November 15, 2012 at 4:56am

That was you?  I won't repeat here what I said back to you at the time.   Seems I was not the only one.

LOL

Bill Savage said:

I ride slow (10 mph average) and so get passed a lot.  When cyclists pass me on the left without warning, I always say "On MY left!" in a "F*&* You" tone of voice.  Half the time, this elicits no response; about a quarter of the time I get an apology, and the rest of the time I'm told to perform an autoerotic impossibility.  This last response especially comes from cyclists riding fast at night with no lights and dark clothes, so I don't see them in my mirror (which I check every five-ten seconds).  This is, as so many of our conversations are, really about just plain old common sense and courtesy.  And Amen to Beau Sessions's comment about the general etiquette of the road.

Permalink Reply by David Barish on November 15, 2012 at 5:07am

I have a bell on one bike and use it. On my other bikes I work vocally and have more range and expression than the bell. When its a simple pass, I whistle a sing songy tune such as the theme from Woody Woodpecker or a riff from a jazz tune. I have a variety of yelps for more emergent situations including a blood curdling, "you better the #%&@! stop now" one that is generally used when I see a potential lemming leaping off the cliff.  As to the folks who don't give Bill the courtesy of an "on your left" I don't  give them a chance. When I spot them in my mirror and see that their pace is greater than mine I give them a wave to let them know its ok to pass. On occassion I extend a left arm and push back to let them know its not a good idea to do so.

 

I usually don't utter the words as they often get muddled.  The other rider simply needs to know that you are there. If I am riding in a pack I may say, "five bikes on your left" or if the person in front of me is plodding on the far left  I will rarely say, "I'm gonna have to pass on your right.  Watch your position after I pass." This is only done if there will be no stops for a long time and I am certain that nothing lurks to endanger us both.

 


As to the original post...+1. Please pass on my left.

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on November 15, 2012 at 5:08am

You could always try a whistle...



David Barish said:

I have a bell on one bike and use it. On my other bikes I work vocally and have more range and expression than the bell. When its a simple pass, I whistle a sing songy tune such as the theme from Woody Woodpecker or a riff from a jazz tune. I have a variety of yelps for more emergent situations including a blood curdling, "you better the #%&@! stop now" one that is generally used when I see a potential lemming leaping off the cliff.  As to the folks who don't give Bill the courtesy of an "on your left" I don't  give them a chance. When I spot them in my mirror and see that their pace is greater than mine I give them a wave to let them know its ok to pass. On occassion I extend a left arm and push back to let them know its not a good idea to do so.

 

I usually don't utter the words as they often get muddled.  The other rider simply needs to know that you are there. If I am riding in a pack I may say, "five bikes on your left" or if the person in front of me is plodding on the far left  I will rarely say, "I'm gonna have to pass on your right.  Watch your position after I pass." This is only done if there will be no stops for a long time and I am certain that nothing lurks to endanger us both.

 


As to the original post...+1. Please pass on my left.

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