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On Your Left, Indeed
The terms “bike safety” and “bike etiquette” are most often used in reference to the many challenges of biking on roads alongside cars and other motor vehicles. It wasn’t until I began spending summer evenings biking on the Custis Trail, a popular bike path in Northern Virginia, that I started considering the complexities of biker to biker and biker to pedestrian interactions.
On a narrow and twisty trail like the Custis, passing is the foremost issue for all users. With an abundance of joggers, walkers, people with dogs and mothers pushing strollers, bikers are inevitably the biggest passers (one would hope). When passing other cyclists or any of the aforementioned slower moving users, bikers have three options: they can remain silent, call out a simple “on your left,” or ring a bell.
It seems that the best possible option is to cause as little disturbance as possible. If someone is using the trail properly on the right side and appears to be maintaining a direct line of movement, it makes little sense to announce your presence loudly and abruptly upon reaching them. Chances are they have heard your bike chains behind them, so only if completely necessary a very calm “on your left” should ensure that your path will not be obstructed.
Ringing a bell makes little sense for a number of reasons. First, just as getting honked at while driving can make a person unnecessarily flustered and anxious, a bell can be equally as shell-shocking to a trail user. Having someone ring their bell at me while I’m biking makes me immediately assume I am doing something wrong or am about to get rear-ended by the cyclists. Common sense will tell you that ringing a bell provides no direction or specific information. Do you want someone to get out of your way? Do they need to move more right? Or are you really just trying to say “I know you’re slowly jogging well to the right of the trail, but I just wanted to announce to everyone that I am flying by you.”
As bicycle advocates we should encourage all types of people to use urban trails and not make them feel that they are moving too slowly or are a hindrance to bicyclists.
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July 25th, 2007 at 4:35 pm
One should DEFINITELY call out to pedestrians. I’m a city/suburb biker, not a mountain biker. When I’m on wilderness trails, I’m on foot. There’s NOTHING worse than having some idiot on a mountain bike suddenly go flying by you without warning. On a recent trip to Sedona, I witnessed one biker in particular scare a family in front of me by nearly running over a small child who wandered in front of him, having no idea there was a bicycle bearing down on him from behind. DON’T assume they can hear you coming just by the sound of your bike chain! If your bike is well maintained, then your chain is NOT very loud, and you’ll be on top of a hiker before they hear you! On the other hand, it isn’t necessary to scream at the top of your lungs, which will also startle people (but at least they know you’re there & they’re not going to step in front of you & get run over). I have found, both as passer on city bike/hike paths and passee on hiking trails, that the best action is to (1) SLOW DOWN to a reasonable pace and (2) politely announce “passing on your left/right”. With practice, you’ll get the volume and timing right so as not to scare the bejeebers out of people and create yet one more bike-hating pedestrian.
July 27th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
My experience has been that by gently ringing my bell – and I have one of those that have a ding-ding hammer instead of the ka-ching lever – people often thank me as I pass, ostensibly for letting them know I’m there. If I say or do nothing, even if they are well to the right, they often tend to be startled as I pass. so I’d have to disagree with the posted article. There are signs here on our bike paths (Eugene, Ore.) that request cyclists to say something to alert pedestrians they are being passed.
July 30th, 2007 at 2:05 pm
I read with pleasure the bike etiquette suggestions. Popular trail sections makes it necessary for all users to carefully proceed when the trail is congested much the same way automobiles slow down when the road becomes congested.
However, I have never read about the use of a bell being a bad thing. There are people who don’t use them either because they don’t have them or don’t want one but never have I read that using a bell is bad thing.
There may be some merit to the comparison of a car horn and a bell in that it is threatening and have often thought of it being taken that way by pedestrians. But to announce your approach when approprate is as important in a car as it is on a bicycle.
I am pro bell.
Voices do not carry as far as does a bell. Blowing a whistle is even better, but who wants to ride around with whistle in your mouth. A bell is more immediate.
A bell is not meant to be dinged once. Especially, the hammer bell – it should be dinged repeatedly. Pause. Approach closer. Ding it repeatedly again. If in doubt that the passee has not heard it or is confused, then adjust passing speed and interval accordingly.
The voice can hold more negative inflection than one realizes. Let’s face it you are not always going to be in the best mood when passing. After saying “On your left” for the 50th time you will eventually take on a bored tone that could be taken the wrong way.
“On your left” is a cycling term. Cyclists should not expect the non cyclists to respond to its meaning the correct way. Stories abound of pedestrians moving “left” when they hear “on your left” from behind. I think that could be because after turning to see who is coming the pedestrian’s left becomes their right which takes them to the middle of the trail. The larger the group of pedestrians, the more random their reaction will become. Some move left, some move right then they’re all over the place.
If you feel the need to speak save it for a heart felt “thank you” as you cruise slowly by.
August 1st, 2007 at 2:10 pm
I often ride the river trail here in Tulsa on my mountain and road bike. It is very heartening to see families riding together and joggers working out to stay healthy but we ALL definitely need more consistent education for pedestrians and riders.
Many people running/walking/riding on the trails are “amateurs”. They either don’t know where their lane of travel should be or they wander all over the trail without a clue to the danger they and/or their children or pets force upon other trail users.
“Trail Etiquette” signage should be posted conspicuously along trails. (it’s NOT here)
Running and cycling clubs and shops should make it a point to inform and train customers. We ALL have the right to enjoy the trails but we also have a duty to one another.
When approaching a jogger or walker I often announce myself by saying, “BIKE left”, etc. They immediately understand they are being approached by a bike and usually move right. Club runners use “BIKE” to warn other runners anyway so it seems to be universally understood.
When I approach children on bikes I just slow down and move around them carefully without much announcement except a soft warning once I get even with them. Announcing too soon or too loudly invariably makes them nervous and causes them to swerve all over the trail and sometimes crash.
ALWAYS offer a THANKS to the ones who are kind.
August 7th, 2007 at 11:57 pm
I live just outside of Adelaide in South Australia. I use a shared path for much of my commuting and find that although bells are over-rated they are quite useful. I find that other cyclists don’t respond to bells in any useful way, however a quick ‘on your right’ (we do things backwards down here) helps them to move out of the way. Pedestrians are another matter. Verbal warnings often seem to scare or intimidate them, while bells are ignored or mistaken for chirping birds. In fact I’ve found that impersonating a bell (almost yelling ‘ding-ding’ in my chirpiest voice) seems to work best. I think the humour value of a grown man making bird noises at 35km/hr alleviates any shock of releasing that the path is in fact a shared path an wasn’t just built so people could drive to the middle of it and walk their dogs back and forwards along a short section. I agree that signs informing occasional users about trail-etiquette would be good, but I find the addition of a white line down the centre of the path does wonders, and is less prone to graffiti.
August 10th, 2007 at 4:07 pm
I just had a friend yesterday that was smashed into by an inattentive bicyclist. She was waking and he was riding. He apparently was looking looking down at the road and not in front of him and crashed into her causing a broken rib and numerous contusions. He was angry with her for not getting out of the way! As bicyclists, we have an obligation to warn pedestrians and others of our presence. If we want respect on the road, announce you are “on your left”. I’d rather be sorry for interupting someone’s peace and quiet than nearly killing them.
August 14th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
I find when passing some peds on trails when I say “bike on left” causes them to move left or become confused and turn around. I instead say, “bike in back” and they intuitively move over to the right of the trail. After all, when you announce your presence, you are in back of them and not on their left, hopefully.
August 16th, 2007 at 1:39 pm
TERRIBLE ARTICLE!!
I think the last time I read worse advice than this, I was reading ‘How to Plan a War’ by Donald Rumsfeld.
It is generally expected that people in cars will remain in their lanes, and drivers generally understand that if they wish to change lanes, they need to look around to see if anyone is approaching in the lane they want to enter. Walkers, runners, and casual cyclists abide by no such rules. They go where they want when they want, often often lacking the physical dexterity to look over their shoulder without breaking their line even if they want to.
For this reason, announcing passing with enough time and volume to let others freak out, collect themselves, and then get out of the way is absolutely necessary. Increased signage would be nice, but it’s not quickly going to bring about some sea change in the culture of American (or Australian) walkers. At my local trail (Forest Park in St. Louis, MO) they even built a parallel soft surface trail for runners/walkers/dog walkers, but nobody uses it – they continue to walk 3 and 4 abreast, swinging their arms as they talk with their hands, making the path utterly unsafe for faster-moving cyclists.
The only safe way to ride a bicycle on a multi-use path is SLOWLY. My dad has 2 cracked helmets to attest to this fact. If you plan to break 15 MPH, get off the multi-use paths – they’re not designed for you. Ride on the roads. If you don’t know what roads are good, go to your local bike shop and ask. But please, please, go slow or get off the paths!
August 17th, 2007 at 8:43 am
Our trail in Iowa seems to be similar to that of the other respondents. I used a bell on my hybrid, and have had many people smile and thank me for using it to warn them; I think it was perceived as a friendly greeting.
Now that I can’t fit a bell onto my ‘cross bike, I resort to calling out my approach, and I wave and say thanks as I go past. Those hikers may soon be in their cars, driving past me, and I’ll take all the good will I can get out there.
August 17th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
Very pro-bell. Very anti people who have no clue about hanging out in the middle of the trail. Big issue here in Philadelphia.
If you hit the bell early enough, you get a chance to say something if they don’t react correctly and for them to glance over their shoulder and figure out what’s up.
While I appreciate your assertion that when you hear a bell, you think you’ve messed up, I don’t think everyone sees it this way (some do, sure). The bell is not like car horns. Car horns are intentionally dissonant (in fact, if your horn is working, you actually have 2 horns that go at the same time and strike a dissonant note so people notice).
Bells make a nice sound. Sometimes I ring my bell just for fun, because I like it. In that way, I never feel bad belling anyone.
I actually think the “on your left” thing sometimes confuses people (plus sometimes I’m going too hard to talk, too). I, for one, have a helluva time with right and left, especially when it’s sudden like that.
I don’t think there’s a reason to get dogmatic on this question, but your opinion is appreciated.
August 19th, 2007 at 12:38 am
I am *completely* pro-bell.
I cycled in europe for many years, where a bell works perfectly. unfortunately, many americans seem to feel it means “get out of my way,” and interpret a bell as a rude gesture, when it fact, it should be understood to mean, “stay steady, I’m approaching behind you on a bike.” meanwhile, i nearly have a heart attack every time another cyclist *zooms* past and practically whispers in my ear “on yer left.” I find this terribly disconcerting and startling.
August 19th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
I hike and bike on trails and there is nothing more surprising than a mountain bike swoshing past without any kind of warning. Bikes on the trail are much quieter than the rider realizes and I had no idea someone was about to pass.
I also walk in town on the sidewalk and it is really madening when a biker rides past on the sidewalk going in the wrong direction (against traffic) and doesn’t announce themselves. It is much more disconcerting not to get a warning than a simple “passing” “hello” or bell ring.
After riding in several large 9,000 rider events, I’ve come to appreciate the bells as a simple way to warn slower riders that someone is passing, even though there are so many riders on the road. They usually are appreciative of the warning. If there are that many people on the road, then the bell keeps you from losing your voice announcing you are passing.
August 21st, 2007 at 5:55 pm
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?
August 22nd, 2007 at 1:14 am
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.
August 24th, 2007 at 9:50 am
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.
August 27th, 2007 at 10:43 pm
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”.
September 14th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
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.
September 21st, 2007 at 3:06 pm
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.
October 15th, 2007 at 11:12 am
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.
October 15th, 2007 at 12:58 pm
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!!!!
October 19th, 2007 at 11:33 pm
“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!
October 21st, 2007 at 9:23 pm
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.
March 22nd, 2010 at 9:04 am
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October 5th, 2010 at 3:23 am
i have lots of mountain bike accidents so i am done biking right now,:.