What Happened to "[Passing] on Your Left"? . . .

. . . Or "on your right"?

In order to be ready to run a marathon this October, I've started to appear more often on the LFT as one of those annoying joggers a.k.a. runners.

I do try hard to be not very annoying, though, given my own reaction to 'em joggers. Do upon others, practice what you preach, and all that. I look back before making turn or changing lanes, I even point to the direction I am about to make a move, just like I would do when I ride my bike.

I found that something is almost totally missing now.

It didn't take me long to realize what it was: almost never do I hear a warning from cyclists overtaking me, even when they pass within a couple of inches.

Has "passing on your left" gone out of fashion? Do cyclists save their breath, considering that runners and others will not hear them, anyway?

Or, may be, cyclists are trying not to annoy runners?

WTF?

(Sorry, Chi Lowe ;)

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Sarah D. on June 10, 2013 at 5:38pm

It's definitely more of a freak-out to be passed closely than to hear "on your left" - and the former is happening to me super frequently on Damen lately. I hate the stealth passers, LFP or not. Bell, "bike back," singing, whatever floats your boat, but please let me know you're coming into my space!

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Permalink Reply by Bez on June 11, 2013 at 2:42am

I normally slow down and state "I'm on YOUR left (or right, if I'm on a path and the person is oblivious)" while ringing a bell. Sadly, so many people are either wearing earbuds or just ignoring their surroundings that it is probably more effective to just throw the bell at them.

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Permalink Reply by JMinHP on June 11, 2013 at 2:51am

+1. Most of the runners have enough time/experience on the LFP that they run predictably and occasionally look back when moving out into the middle of the trail. I save my voice for known problem areas (e.g., Fullerton, where runners heading north will cut across the path to head West on Fullerton) and for the tourists, high schoolers, those walking 3 abreast (aarrggggghhhh!).

Naomi Ruth Jackson said:

Most joggers I've seen run pretty predictably and avoid swaying into main traffic. I try to save my stage voice for the unpredictable pedestrians on LST such as: high schoolers, people with children/dogs, and people on skates.

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Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on June 11, 2013 at 3:03am

Michael A said:

…a roller blader fell on my rear wheel while I was stopped. Tacoed a rear wheel as he just got up and left.

Who does this?! What a jerk!

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Permalink Reply by Tricolor on June 11, 2013 at 3:17am

You don't stop very quickly on skates unless you fall.

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Permalink Reply by foofy q. on June 11, 2013 at 4:15am

That happened to me! I couldn't believe it. Lady got pissed and freaked out "HOLY SHIT JESUS!!!" I assumed maybe my timing was off.

badwolf said:

I always say "on your left," but I've been re-thinking this since just two days ago, when passing an older woman during the great Milwaukee Ave rush, she freaked the fuck out on me for "scaring" her like that.

Of course, she also freaked out a block later when I had stopped at a red light in front of her, and apparently disrupted her plan to blow through it.

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Permalink Reply by Tom Z on June 11, 2013 at 4:28am

That happened to me! I couldn't believe it. Lady got pissed and freaked out "HOLY SHIT JESUS!!!"

You should have screamed "Where?"

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Permalink Reply by blair on June 11, 2013 at 4:51am

Earlier this year I said "on your left" as I was passing someone on Milwaukee. He yelled back "No one gives a shit!".

???

Also said it on the LFP last summer to someone on a rental bike that wasn't riding in a straight line. She yelled back "Don't tell me what to do!" as she veered left and almost hit me.

Good times.

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Permalink Reply by Lou S on June 11, 2013 at 4:57am

I always call "on your left" when passing wheeled traffic (cycles, strollers, wheelchairs, etc.)

I only call it with joggers or walkers when they are outside of the far right area.

I find I am in the extreme minority with this behavior as most cyclists, especially the pathletes, do not call passing at all.

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Permalink Reply by steve rulz on June 11, 2013 at 6:50am

For years I have been riding fixed gear and recently got a new geared road bike. The rear hub clicks so loud. At first I was annoyed by it but I have found a noticeable difference in peoples awareness if I coast a little before passing. I do feel like more of a dick using this rather than a bell which I may add as well. I also rarely "yell on your left" only when I really need to but prefer not to or I would lose my voice before getting to work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgQjlbnSXbM