Courtesy when passing

[Aushiker]

And can you find the "negligent driving" offence in the road rules? Bicycles move sideways to avoid obstacles, all cyclists have observed the behaviour. It is a foreseeable event.


Sent from my iThingy...

I would have to agree with Twizzle.

Same here. Moving six inches is hardly a change of "line within a lane."

Andrew

[ColinOldnCranky]

And can you find the "negligent driving" offence in the road rules? Bicycles move sideways to avoid obstacles, all cyclists have observed the behaviour. It is a foreseeable event.


Sent from my iThingy...

I would have to agree with Twizzle.

Same here. Moving six inches is hardly a change of "line within a lane."

Andrew

I have several people a day passing close enough that, if I deviated that much, we would both be in trouble. I don't need a bell but I do wish following riders would act as though I may occasionally have a need to move a little back to the centre.

[trailgumby]

I often have roadies passing me on the climb up Parriwi Road Mosman, especially on my cruisey days. It irritates me quite a bit when they pass really close, especially with my wide mountain bike bars. If they clip me I am going down. Don't need to bust another collarbone.

I realise they're used to that, riding in large bunches, but I do find it startling when I don't hear them coming.

I did have a policy of calling which side I was passing on, but dropped it due to the random nature of pedestrian responses. Might be time to revisit the policy with riders, especially if the amount of room is limited.

Half-wheeling = supremely stupid.

[SEQrider]

Well, there has been a bit of discusion on the point of passing safely, and that is the reaction I was hoping for.We live in a democracy, so we may not agree with everyones comments or feelings, but we hear them and think it over. If this post has made some people aware, then I'm pleased. If it makes 1 or 2 think about it, that's great! If it prevents 1 rider from having a spill then I am very happy. The whole point of the post was raise some awareness that a little bit of courtesey could mean that you and I both enjoy the ride and the work we've put in, and come back and do it again tomorrow.
Cheers eveybody, safe riding.

[LM324]

It is hard to know the exact details but I find it a little hard to believe that someone will halfwheel/draft someone when the guy at the front is in the small space between the curb and tarmac.

[trailgumby]

It is hard to know the exact details but I find it a little hard to believe that someone will halfwheel/draft someone when the guy at the front is in the small space between the curb and tarmac.

Well, no, it's not rational is it? But then hindsight is always 20/20.

Sometimes people have lapses in judgement and do things they would not, if only they had thought more about it, or had more experience.

There is on average - I've been led to believe - one bike crash a week on the Sydney harbour bridge bike path that requires an ambulance's attendance. Clearly, plenty of people do dumb things from time to time.

So someone half-wheeling someone else in the circumstances outlined by the OP does not require the suspension of disbelief.

[richbee]

Overlapping wheels is discouraged very simply because it's dangerous as the OP found out. In a bunch even more so because an incident has the potential to take out just more than the two protagonists when (not if) their wheels touch.
As for drafting, well I'm more than happy to give anyone who latches on my back wheel a tow, after all he's a fellow cyclist and we're all comrades are we not? Besides he might return the favour on the next hill. Two cyclists working together are more efficient than one on his own, and unless you're one of those grim northern England time-triallists that refuse to socialise and should be shunned like recumbent riders , you should encourage the opportunity to make a new cycling buddy.

Regarding etiquette when passing, a simple call of "Bike Back" should suffice as a warning. Calling out "Passing" is like a red rag to a bull. Don't do it.

BTW, Half wheeling is when one of two cyclists riding alongside rides with his front wheel half a wheel ahead of the other. Also discouraged but for totally different reasons entirely.

[twizzle]

First rule of commuting - only draft people you know!

And even then, sometimes people you know will surprise you in a bad way... (twizzle rubs his shoulder, 11 months later and it still hurts some days ).

[twizzle]

Regarding etiquette when passing, a simple call of "Bike Back" should suffice as a warning. Calling out "Passing" is like a red rag to a bull. Don't do it.

In my experience, 90+% of people can't hear what you say anyway. And I've never had someone take it as a challenge... but everyone else is soft compared to me anyway. But what you should definitely NOT say is anything with the word "LEFT" or "RIGHT" as they will do the opposite of what you expect.

[warthog1]

Ride fast enough that no one can sit on your wheel, problem solved .

(I wish ).

That's what I try to do also and I wish too.

[Summernight]

Regarding etiquette when passing, a simple call of "Bike Back" should suffice as a warning. Calling out "Passing" is like a red rag to a bull. Don't do it.

In my experience, 90+% of people can't hear what you say anyway. And I've never had someone take it as a challenge... but everyone else is soft compared to me anyway. But what you should definitely NOT say is anything with the word "LEFT" or "RIGHT" as they will do the opposite of what you expect.

Agreed. And IMO 'passing' is an easier word to understand than 'bike back'. If you aren't a cyclist who knows the lingo I would have to ask what 'bike back' meant to the person who said it. What does it mean exactly?

Anyone who decides to go all 'bull with a red rag' because someone else says 'passing' is being childish. All I want to do when I'm cycling and passing someone else is enjoy myself, go my own pace without worrying about others and get to my destination safely. But then again, I'm predominantly a commuter so maybe that's why I don't have a crazy notion to speed up to prevent a person from passing me.

[richbee]

But then again, I'm predominantly a commuter so maybe that's why I don't have a crazy notion to speed up to prevent a person from passing me.

[Condescension]Oh, you're merely a commuter.[/Condescension]
I'm a commuter too, only I do it on a bling CF bike with 11 speed gizmo's at a high speed. Should you want to use my slipstream to speed up your commute, don't worry I won't do silly things to get you off my wheel, I'll just continue at my chosen pace happy that I'm helping someone get to their destination that little faster. I'll even point out the broken glass and potholes so you can avoid them too.

And the call will be "Bike Back" when I'm coming up behind to overtake, learn what it means, everyone on a bling CF bike with 11 speed gizmo's uses it.

[RonK]

And IMO 'passing' is an easier word to understand than 'bike back'. If you aren't a cyclist who knows the lingo I would have to ask what 'bike back' meant to the person who said it. What does it mean exactly?

What does it matter - they could be whistling Dixie. As long as you can hear them then you know they are there.

[Apple]

And IMO 'passing' is an easier word to understand than 'bike back'. If you aren't a cyclist who knows the lingo I would have to ask what 'bike back' meant to the person who said it. What does it mean exactly?

What does it matter - they could be whistling Dixie. As long as you can hear them then you know they are there.

+1

[foo on patrol]

I just say on your right.

Bike Back yuppies

Foo

[twizzle]

I just say on your right.

... and over to the right they go.

[wurtulla wabbit]

I just say on your right.

NO !!!


Your other right !!!

[darkelf921]

I just shout out "morning". I've never had a problem when passing and almost always get a "morning" reply. Simple.

[Apple]

I just shout out "morning". I've never had a problem when passing and almost always get a "morning" reply. Simple.

I say that and I get, a grunt.
That reminds me, has anyone ever done a bush nose blow just as someone passes. Maybe thats why it is also a good idea to say you are there, or you may land with a nice boogy on your face or leg.

[eeksll]

as far as i am concerned, while commuting on roads, if you feel you need to say "passing" your too close. I only pass when I get the car lane.

alot of cyclist who pass me are too close, they put too much faith that i CAN keep my line.

Isn't there some lobbying by people on this site for "a meter matters" I don't see why the same should not apply for a cyclist passing a cyclist.

[citywomble]

Isn't there some lobbying by people on this site for "a meter matters" I don't see why the same should not apply for a cyclist passing a cyclist.

There are also the same reasons why it should apply to a cyclist passing a pedestrian. If you can't give the metre that matters then slow right down to a fast walking speed to overtake.

[elStado]

I also use a mirror. Makes life a little easier being able to see someone approaching.

The only time I will call out 'passing' or 'bike back' etc is when there's a few people and I am worried someone will decided to overtake just as I am going past.

Yesterday I was about to overtake but saw a guy in front of me was sitting close behind another bike, so I sat behind and told him to go for it, waited for him to pass the guy in front and then I passed them both.

Much easier and safer that way to hang back and let people do their thing, especially during peak hour on the paths.

[FuzzyDropbear]

I usually say 'morning', 'bike', 'passing on your right' etc. when coming up behind someone. Just to say hello and let them know I'm there, I've often followed cyclists (staying approx. 3 bike lengths behind) for up to 4km without them even looking back to see what traffic is coming. That is why I talk to people, lot of people just ignore me, but now and again have a quick chat with people as I'm passing (or being passed).

...
That reminds me, has anyone ever done a bush nose blow just as someone passes. Maybe thats why it is also a good idea to say you are there, or you may land with a nice boogy on your face or leg.

I don't see the point in doing a bushy on the bike, I've never had to blow my nose when I'm on the bike, maybe when stopped if it's incredibly dusty. Or I've bitten the dust. Though, last night I caught up with a couple of roadies on my way home and every 500m or so, one of the guys would do (or attempt) a bushy. Thought about riding up to him and suggesting he see a doctor if there's something that big in there that he can't get it out . I slowed down and let them go. But yes, another reason not to get too close if they don't know you're there.

[Summernight]

I can't do a bushy on the bike - I have gloves on!!! And no, I won't snot out without using a hand to guide its trajectory - knowing me it'd go all over my clothes, not to mention I wouldn't want the poor car drivers having heart attacks if I snorted as I rode past on the commute. I might meet them in a work context later in the day!

But if no-one is around and I'm out running in the cold and the nose is streaming then I will do a surreptitious snort into the hand and flick it off (no gloves... phew!). But only after I've looked all around to make sure no-one can see or hear me do so, of course!

What a dirty little secret!!!

[ColinOldnCranky]

How this thread wanders.