Comments on: On Your Left, Indeed

By: Jill Pender

Jill Pender — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 01:23:46 +0000

It is proper to let people know that you are passing. But there is plenty that goes on that is not proper. Many of the problems exist because the trails are designed badly – the Mount Vernon Trail, with its hairpin curves and numerous accidents is an example of this situation.

And police harrassment only adds to the problem – today I was busted with a ticket for failing to make a full stop at a downhill 4-way stop in Old Town Alexandria that had been added to the trail as a “detour” – as though the police deliberately were steering people into a trap. I am a very safe rider – I have been at it for numerous years – I obey all traffic laws, but on a sunny Sunday with no traffic on the road in a back area of town, when my line of sight showed no one coming, I slowed down to the point where my bike registered nothing on the computer, even signaled left, and made my turn. The police officer emerged from my left blind spot, nearly frightened me off my bike by screaming at me, and caused me to make a fast, unsafe stop (my feet were in straps), nearly capsizing – I could have been seriously injured. He then proceeded to tell me that I had passed through the stop sign without coming to a full stop. He then wrote me up and was rather surprised that I continued to profess my innocence. My biking partner came back (she had breezed through the sign) and made some more comments that he didn’t like. He then lied – said that I was coming down the hill very fast. Another officer came over more than halfway through the exchange to watch us, and was present when the original police officer referred to us as bitches. I believe that I was pulled over because I happened to be riding a road bike w/resting bars today – and if I had been on a hybrid, he would not have tagged me.

By: ultradawn

ultradawn — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 03:33:31 +0000

“BIKE LEFT” works great around Denver, though everyone seems to have an ipod stuck in his or her head. When I used to say the cyclst’s term “on the left” most of the peds would move to the left! “BIKE BACK” works too. And even though you need to be quite loud to override the ipod, traffic, or river, a cheery tone of voice and a “thank you!” as you pass go a long way. I can’t believe the writer thinks people can hear her “chains”. Maybe on a perfectly calm day in the middle of nowhere, but as I used to walk quite a bit I know from experience- you don’t hear the bike until just about time enough to get into an accident if you’re startled. And remember, not everyone has the same level of hearing!

By: Louis

Louis — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 16:58:11 +0000

In this culture, in 2007, cyclists are dishonored and abused by everything from the road conditions — including the abysmal pavement in the Greatest Country on Earth — to political invisibility (not helped in the least by Lance Armstrong types who are sociologically retarded).

Multi use trails are an oxy-moron. Cyclists, and LAB, should DISAVOW their use!!!!!!!! They are for children. They are managed by PARKS DEPTS not transportation entities, and that SAYS IT ALL.

AS for walkers, runners and other users: walk TOWARDS the oncoming bike traffic. Youll never be buzzed again. How STUPID can people be when a solution is this easy!!!!

By: George Manning

George Manning — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 15:12:39 +0000

I agree that on the bike path as well as in many other areas of life silence is potential danger. We make assumptions that “others” think like me and agree with me. As in many relationship outside of sharing a bicycle path, we often have these self constructed contracts and agreements. Who knows what self constructed agreements the person you are passing has confabulated?
But I am also concerned that a loud “on your left” can be perceived as an order. Not best if you want to improve the image of bicycling. I also have had people who hear the phrase and move to their left. Bells may be acceptable in certain cultures, but where I live few people use them and many would either think that an ice cream trunk had treats for sale or they were being “belled” out of the way.
Recently I have been saying a friendly “good morning” or “good afternoon” at the point I used to say “on your left”. Many experienced path users automatically move to their left or nod their head. I often will say, “enjoy your run (walk etc)” as I pass. For those who seem not to acknowledge or understand my upcoming actions I say “passing on your left” as I start to move by.
Perhaps too complicated, but I agree that if you plan to go faster than 15 mph or not slow down around blind curves – you really need to find a route on the road.

By: Arnold P Salinas

Arnold P Salinas — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 19:06:43 +0000

I have encountered rude, selfish, and arrogont cyclist and jogger, roller
Bladers and others in St Louis, Mo Grants Farm, RiverFront Bike Trail and Katy trails. They are all over the trail at un controlable speeds, joggers and others with their iPODS plugged in. How can they hear other person(s) warnings for their space to ride or run.jog.Then there are those wanna be cowboys that think they are Mr Armstrong that pass you on both sides having no regard for your saftey much less theirs. They are really pitifull.

Let’s all enjoy sharing what We have and respect one another.

By: Mark

Mark — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 18:48:15 +0000

Here’s my two-cents worth since I have more than 3,000 miles of multi-use trail experience on the Miami Valley’s beautiful trails (Southwest Ohio), and many more road miles.

My proposal to eliminate the need for this discussion altogether (assume the paths I talk about below are wide enough to allow passing, and go by American rules):

Multi-use paths should use the same rules as a road that is NOT skirted by sidewalks.

Traffic – in this case bicycles – should travel on the right; pedestrians/skaters/runners shoulf travel on the left, facing traffic.

1. Pedestrians can see traffic coming – the passing announcement problem is eliminated. No bells, no voices, no negative perceptions.

2. If there happens to be some slow down, i.e. pedestrians walking both ways and creating a bottleneck and/or uncoordinated kids, cyclists should just slow down until they can pass safely.

3. Cyclists already expect other cyclists to be faster, so being passed without warning is not a big deal – especially if they maintain the rule that slower traffic stays to the right.

By: Allen Muchnick

Allen Muchnick — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 02:43:22 +0000

As an Arlington, Virginia resident and League Cycling Instructor, I’m horrified that any LAB staffer does not understand the importance of giving an audible warning before passing others on shared-use paths, such as the Custis Trail. Because trails are parks, many trail users are less aware of their surroundings than when walking or bicycling on a street. Thus, an audible warning before overtaking is necessary and is a well-established principle of trail user etiquette. A bicycle bell, gently rung twice about three or four seconds in advance of overtaking, usually works best. “On your left” can be counterproductive because many trail users will instinctively move left. It’s more effective to simply say “passing” or “bike”.

By: Esther Lumsdon

Esther Lumsdon — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 13:50:44 +0000

I live in North Carolina, and have ridden on the W&OD path in Virginia.

I think it is much wiser for the cyclist to announce their presence to the pedestrians, or use a bell. Especially with the populatity of earbuds, you cannot know that the pedestrian can hear your approach, even if you have very knobby tires making noise.

I tend to say “passing on your left”. When pedestrians are spread across the path, I say “excuse me, could I pass you?”.

In some of the etiquette rules posted on trails, pedestrians and horses have the right of way.

Multi-use paths are not a good place for speedy riding. They are a useful place to practise alertness, braking, passing, and repeated accelerations.

By: Paul Ries

Paul Ries — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 05:14:54 +0000

Y’know this is a really interesting test of people’s “golden rule” sense. In my opinion. As bicyclist we are used to being treated as third class citizens out on the road and then we get on a “bike trail” aka multi-use trail and want our rights over the pedestrians!

Personally, I will not get upset if I have to slow down a little to pass someone, and do try to say something as I’m about to pass…”hi there” or “nice day” or something like that. “On you left” or blowing whistles is a bit rude/arrogant in my opinion.

Just remember how you feel when cars blow their horns at you when the go by, versus a car that slows down, and maybe changes lanes to give you more spzce.

I don’t spend a lot of time on bike trails and I’m not sure if I would do the same if I had to commute on one every day, especially if I was late to work or something like that…

Let’s remember to be kind to one another out there and the world will be a nicer place in the long run.

By: jdb

jdb — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 21:55:58 +0000

How unfortunate you confuse safety with etiquette. I bicycle in urban and suburban Los Angeles. I balance my avid cycling enthusiasm with restraint when sharing paths with others, regardless of if they’re on foot, skate or wheel. There is no worse offense than not warning someone as you’re approaching them from behind. In urban areas where traffic noise is adjacent to dedicated paths, walkers and cyclists cannot hear others approaching. I estimate at least half of those I approach do not hear my “Incredibell” even if I ring it 5 times because there is other noise around and perhaps they’re talking (or on the phone) and unaware. If the bell does not immediately work, I always resort to a loud voice saying something like “cyclist!”. So I ask you, what’s worse? To startle someone with a loud caution, or risk a traumatic collision under the guise of being polite?