I rode my ebike up the hill today to go to an event. In doing so, I passed a sporty guy slowly on the left and called out “on your left” in the most polite way I could.
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I rode my ebike up the hill today to go to an event. In doing so, I passed a sporty guy slowly on the left and called out “on your left” in the most polite way I could.
I heard him grumble what sounded like “battery” and I guess he had gotten a little upset because a minute or two later he sprinted past me while we were riding up a small hill.
Impressive, I guess, but why? ️
(That was rhetorical, I know why )
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@ascentale I'm with the grumbly guy on this one.
If you're not in a race, you can probably overtake without needing to announce yourself with "on your left", which implies that the person addressed is impeding your advancement and that you consider to have the right of way.
To sum it up there's no polite way of saying "on your left" on a regular trail/road where everyone has the same rights. It's a similar thing as being honked at by a car behind you instead of it just going around quietly and safely.
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Clinton Anderson SwordForHirereplied to marius last edited by
Yeah no
"On your left" is an announcement so that you're not sneaking up on someone and surprising them.
This bike guy sounds like an AH
He's not alone
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Ken Smokerreplied to Clinton Anderson SwordForHire last edited by
@ClintonAnderson @mariusor @ascentale
Right on. Absolutely always announce yourself when overtaking. It’s the polite thing to do.
I’m a “sporty” biker in a hilly college town with lots of electrified ride-share bike users and my response in these situations is a good-natured “hey, that’s cheating!” which either gets a smile or a confused look.
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mariusreplied to Clinton Anderson SwordForHire last edited by [email protected]
@ClintonAnderson you seem to feel like you're the arbiter of all cyclists, and your interpretation is the only true one.
I'm telling you that personally I find it impolite, and I would like that you don't dismiss my experience.
Generally I imagine you're thinking about new cyclists that could be less aware of what's happening behind them. And it's not just once I saw beginners getting jumpy when someone clings their bell or announces themselves too forcefully when they're already too close and they weren't expecting it, so I doubt it's better than just giving them space (1.5m is not just for cars) and silently overtaking.
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@ksmoker maybe it wasn't clear from what I said. I did not comment on how the dude reacted, but on what my impression is about hearing others telling me "on your left", which is that you're passing me too closely and you expect me to get out of your way. It's not polite because you can be silent and ride around.