smutchin
Cat 6 Racer
- Location
- The Red Enclave
You may not, but the OP is giving the impression that he does ride somewhat erratically. Although as @Mugshot says, it's probably down to lack of confidence on his part rather than selfishness.
Courtesy and Safety
- Thread starter carditch
- Start date
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You may not, but the OP is giving the impression that he does ride somewhat erratically. Although as @Mugshot says, it's probably down to lack of confidence on his part rather than selfishness.
Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
Ah, I see. Then I think I'd just ping my bell (oops ... another bit of controversy there). But "passing on your left" would be fine (if that is really what you are doing, of course)I thought you may have been, I was thinking more of our local NCN4 which looks rather like this;
(thats not me in the pic BTW) Which I think is more like the OP is refering to.
On the road I'd be going past on the right, with a cheery "Hello"
The only bit of shared path I ever ride is incredibly twisty, with footbridges, playgrounds and lots of dogs and children, kids on little bikes, and people with prams. I often get off and walk.
btw, while I do sometimes say "Hello" it is never, ever, cheery. "Cheery" is just not something I do.
Mugshot
Cracking a solo.
Always cheery, I take a moment or two to compose myself, take a deep breath and then try to give the impression that I am gliding effortlessly by as opposed to the reality that I'm blowing out of my arse at the sheer effort of just turning the pedalsbtw, while I do sometimes say "Hello" it is never, ever, cheery. "Cheery" is just not something I do.
Thank you for all the responses. I think some of the responders may be missing my point, and have been making several assumptions. (Including one about my gender!)
Firstly, I do not ride that erratically, and I am probably riding (on the level) at between 10 and 12 mph (according to my new computer!).
Secondly, the Durham Railway Paths are used my many people not just cyclists. There are people with dogs, people of all ages, from young children in pushchairs, older people in power chairs, people on horses, and people just out for a walk and/or a chat. The paths are not dedicated to cyclists, and cyclists need to behave accordingly.
Thirdly, humans as a result of our evolution, react quickly to something in our peripheral vision. Something suddenly appearing in the 'corner of our eye' is likely to startle us and stimulate immediate involuntary reaction.
Common courtesy is therefore very important. The County Council Rules are that cyclists should give way to pedestrians and horses, but it is common sense to give warning of where you are. (I am always very careful around horses!) I always greet people anyway. Courtesy costs nothing.
Yes, I may have to get a mirror, but quite frankly having to 'check my six' constantly makes me nervous and distracted, and I do not see why this should need to be.
Anyway, in my 16 miles yesterday, everybody I met was polite and cheerful. As it happens nobody overtook me, but all the cyclists I spoke to were of the opinion that the 'unwarned overtaking' problem has been getting much worse recently.
Firstly, I do not ride that erratically, and I am probably riding (on the level) at between 10 and 12 mph (according to my new computer!).
Secondly, the Durham Railway Paths are used my many people not just cyclists. There are people with dogs, people of all ages, from young children in pushchairs, older people in power chairs, people on horses, and people just out for a walk and/or a chat. The paths are not dedicated to cyclists, and cyclists need to behave accordingly.
Thirdly, humans as a result of our evolution, react quickly to something in our peripheral vision. Something suddenly appearing in the 'corner of our eye' is likely to startle us and stimulate immediate involuntary reaction.
Common courtesy is therefore very important. The County Council Rules are that cyclists should give way to pedestrians and horses, but it is common sense to give warning of where you are. (I am always very careful around horses!) I always greet people anyway. Courtesy costs nothing.
Yes, I may have to get a mirror, but quite frankly having to 'check my six' constantly makes me nervous and distracted, and I do not see why this should need to be.
Anyway, in my 16 miles yesterday, everybody I met was polite and cheerful. As it happens nobody overtook me, but all the cyclists I spoke to were of the opinion that the 'unwarned overtaking' problem has been getting much worse recently.
Jody
Stubborn git
When I am on shared I tent to stick to the left as you would in a car and have a check behind if needing to deviate from that. If someone isn't holding a line then I would approach with caution and ring my bell a couple of times but not go round unless I was sure they were stable. If you are holding a line then I would ring a couple of times on approach but go round when I got there.
Keep an eye on your surroundings if you startle easily.
mjr
Comfy armchair to one person & a plank to the next
- Location
- mostly Norfolk, sometimes Somerset
I understand the customary response is to call him a "farking chopper" and "bloody Wiggo-wannabe"
More seriously, check behind occasionally and signal if you have to move off the left side (either the weirdo Brutish Cycling pointing across your back that people mistake for accessing jersey pockets or scratching one's arris:
or the more intuitive 45 degree arm with flat hand). I agree that they should use their bells (two rings for warning) as they start the overtake, but few do.
Similar rules apply to cycle tracks but with no motorists around, it doesn't really matter much. We're nicer than them.
Are you another midlander then?btw, while I do sometimes say "Hello" it is never, ever, cheery. "Cheery" is just not something I do.
Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
DaveReading
Don't suffer fools gladly (must try harder!)
- Location
- Reading, obvs
mjr
Comfy armchair to one person & a plank to the next
- Location
- mostly Norfolk, sometimes Somerset
With the exception of some notorious clubs, rude aggressive cyclists don't last long in a club as far as I can tell, because it tends not to be long before they're aggressive to too many people.
smutchin
Cat 6 Racer
- Location
- The Red Enclave
Tbh, I wouldn't normally use this one when riding solo - no guarantee that the following rider will be familiar with it, although its meaning is self-evident. I can't imagine what you're doing for the gesture to be mistaken for bum-scratching!
In any case, I agree that some kind of hand signal if you're moving off your line (whether turning or just avoiding a hazard) is definitely a good idea - it makes it clear to the following rider that it's not a good idea to overtake right now.
mjr
Comfy armchair to one person & a plank to the next
- Location
- mostly Norfolk, sometimes Somerset
Self-evident, because nothing says "obstruction on the left" like pointing right behind one's back?
They weren't looking straight at the signal... people tend not to ride along staring at the bums of people they don't know... or at least, they don't admit it!
CanucksTraveller
Macho Business Donkey Wrestler
- Location
- Hertfordshire
Captain America was a big advocate of a formal, verbal warning too...
smutchin
Cat 6 Racer
- Location
- The Red Enclave
Self-evident, because nothing says "obstruction on the left" like pointing right behind one's back?
I've never had trouble understanding it but YMMV.
Anyway, the main reason to use that gesture rather than sticking your right hand out is to avoid mistaking it for indicating to turn right. It's extremely useful when riding in a close-formed group. Maybe not so useful in other situations - like I said, I wouldn't use it when riding solo.
mjr
Comfy armchair to one person & a plank to the next
- Location
- mostly Norfolk, sometimes Somerset
Yeah, the sloping arm being mistaken for a right-turn isn't as serious when riding solo because at least it still deters most people from trying to overtake just then!
