I like to think that I'm a reasonably bright and not especially confused cyclist, but I do get passed on the path by a lot of riders who are (physically) faster than me. I don't have any problem with people who are strong enough to pass me at twice my speed, but I do find disconcerting to have someone blow by me without any warning. So I do appreciate it when I hear a bell or "passing on your left."
Also -- I've had one or two near-collisions with pedestrians who stepped into the left lane as I was about to pass them. When I thought about these incidents as my heartbeat returned to normal, I reminded myself that it's a good idea to give pedestrians audible warning. And also to be prepared to stop. Kristine M. Niemann wrote: > I got a little excited about the "passing on the left" thing. I really > was really only referring to was a bike approaching a bike traveling > steadily on the bike path. I completely agree with warning a pedestrian > and any other confused/dazed/not so bright cyclists. > > It's all just about awareness, right? > kris > > > ________________________________ > From: Robbie Webber <[email protected]> > To: [email protected] > Sent: Wednesday, September 9, 2009 5:30:35 PM > Subject: Re: [Bikies] Rules Street Code > > It's generally not passing bicyclists that require a warning. It's > passing pedestrians, and part of that is due to a speed differential. > To a pedestrian, it FEELS like you are zooming by. Just like being > passed by a car that is moving at 50 mph is more stressful than being > passed by a car moving at 20 mph. > > Although state statute says we have to give an audible warning when > passing bicyclists and pedestrians on the sidewalk or path, I > generally only do when in one of these circumstances: > > 1. I'm going to pass a pedestrian closer than I think is polite. This > usually happens if the path is particularly narrow, or two or more > pedestrians are walking side by side. I don't want to startle them, so > I let them know I'm coming. Rarely do I have to do this with > bicyclists, but every once in awhile.... > > 2. I'm uncertain if the path/sidewalk user will maintain his/her > course, and I don't want to have a crash due to an unexpected > movement. Pretty common concern with families with kids, even on > bikes. Or people that appear to be looking at things on the path. Or > dog walkers with long leashes. Or people in larger groups. > > Kids on bikes are especially unpredictable, partly because they may > not be able to control their bikes, and partly because they just don't > think about people coming up behind them before moving laterally. If > they are walking with their parents, kids may just run over to the > other side of the path to pick a flower, poke a dead animal, grab a > stick, or just out of joy. > > I'd rather not crash into a kid, and it's good PR for bicyclists to > just slow down and not scare other path users. > > > Robbie Webber > Bike Walk Madison Steering Committee > www.bikewalkmadison.org > Join our group on Facebook! > _______________________________________________ > Bikies mailing list > [email protected] > http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org > > > > _______________________________________________ > Bikies mailing list > [email protected] > http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org > _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [email protected] http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org
