Road etiquette – calling your pass

[jrenaut]

This morning I was southbound on 14th NW around L St. I was in the middle lane (for whatever weirdness of light timing, there’s not much traffic on that block if you get off the green leaving the circle quickly). There was a bus in front of my trying to get to the right, half in my lane, half in the right lane.

Just as I started to move left, staying in my lane, to pass him, some guy all decked out in cycling gear, nice bike, definitely serious, passes me on the left without a word. If I hadn’t heard noise from his bike, I probably would have cut him off and sent both of us down.

I shouldn’t have to check behind me when I’m staying in the lane, right? He should have called his pass? Or is there some unwritten rule I’m not aware of?

Topic

[DismalScientist]

I would check behind me if moving over half a lane. Just as the bus was splitting lanes, a car potentially could be splitting your lane and the one to the left. (Of course, you could probably hear the car.)
If I were passing another cyclist with a half a lane spacing, I probably wouldn’t call a pass. On the other hand, he could also see the bus and anticipate your likely move. In that case, it would be appropriate to call the pass.

As an aside, a cyclist on a nice bike and cycling gear does not connote “definitely serious” to me in this area. Some are and some aren’t.

[jrenaut]

@DismalScientist 5161 wrote:

As an aside, a cyclist on a nice bike and cycling gear does not connote “definitely serious” to me in this area. Some are and some aren’t.

Okay, it was really his calves that sealed it.

Does it make a difference that I was more or less in the center of the lane?

[eminva]

When I’m in the lane and passing someone in the same lane (or general vicinity), I always call a warning. I figure with all the traffic noise they wouldn’t hear me approaching. It’s kind of a defensive maneuver, just to prevent them from being startled or in case they were about to do something unexpected.

Having said that, I would anticipate them moving to avoid a large bus blocking their path, and would either not pass then or give an even wider berth.

But I’ve had plenty of people pass me on the street without a warning, so I don’t think it is expected.

Liz

[RESTONTODC]

I haven’t heard anyone call out PASSING while riding in DC streets. Riding bike in DC is just like you’re in a war zone. I always scan for threats.

For my own safety, I would check my rear even I’m move left or right in my own lanes. I see too many cars doing lane splitting or squeezing by. You won’t hear anything when a Toyota Prius pass you.

BTW, I didn’t ride on the 14th NW this morning.

[StopMeansStop]

This is why I carry a clown horn

[CCrew]

I’m in my 4th year of doing this, so take it for what it’s worth. Which is probably very little

At the end of the day, all you can worry about is not being “that cyclist”. The fact that you even made the original post says that you’re not.

Whether it’s driving, cycling, or even walking there’s always going to be idiots. The person that just has to pass you in the car so they can pull back in front of you and turn right. The person that butts in front of you in the grocery line. You can let it get to you, or you can let it roll off. It’s a lot easier to let it roll off. Sometimes it’s really frigging hard… I’ll be the first to admit. But in reality, what’s the alternative other than confrontation? That usually never goes well. Even complaining at a place like here will frequently get enough of a mixed response that you question whether you’re right or not. At the end of the day just do what your conscience says is best. It’s all you have.

That’s it. There’s idiots in the world. Take your satisfaction in just not being one.

-Roger

[jrenaut]

I thought about saying something when WE ALL STOPPED TOGETHER AT THE NEXT LIGHT, but decided not to. The one time I confronted a cyclist for being an ass (blowing through a crosswalk against the light and nearly hitting me while I was carrying my daughter), he just gave me a look like he’d just stepped in dog crap or something.

It just makes me want to make sure I do a better job of calling my own passes – I do when it’s close, but I’m going to start calling it more, even if there’s plenty of room and no obstacles (you know, buses) to go around.

[Dirt]

I love and respect all mankind.

[Greenbelt]

On a related topic of etiquette, is it considered OK to draft someone on a trail? Just don’t do it? Announce that you’re back there so the rider in front knows? I’ve pulled up and drafted fast riders occasionally on the (not crowded usually) MBT in headwinds or just for the heck of it. And I’ve had people do the same behind me. I don’t mind at all — it seems to make sense to help somebody up the trail. But I didn’t want to creep somebody out by following them either. And also, obviously, the drafter needs to be really alert for slowdowns…

[Dirt]

For drafting, I usually pull to the front and take a pull, then see if the person wants to take a pull. If I’m not able to get around and do that, I will ask if I can take a wheel for a few.

[Tim Kelley]

Regarding drafting, if I meet up with someone anywhere (road, trail, etc) who is going about the same speed as me, I generally ask first if we can draft/paceline before doing so.

If someone rolls up to me and starts drafting me without asking, I gradually try to drop them.

[CCrew]

@Tim Kelley 5187 wrote:

Regarding drafting, if I meet up with someone anywhere (road, trail, etc) who is going about the same speed as me, I generally ask first if we can draft/paceline before doing so.

If someone rolls up to me and starts drafting me without asking, I gradually try to drop them.

You obviously weren’t the tool that was wheelsucking me yesterday then. I pulled him for 2 miles until we hit a crossing. Looked back and told him it was his turn. He looked at me like I was an alien. He then proceeded to wheelsuck me again for the next two until I had enough and did the Top Gun maneuver… hit the brakes at about 20mph and watched him fly right by :p

Didn’t wait long enough though… had him again in a mile, he couldn’t hold his own….

[brendan]

@Greenbelt 5183 wrote:

On a related topic of etiquette, is it considered OK to draft someone on a trail? Just don’t do it? Announce that you’re back there so the rider in front knows? I’ve pulled up and drafted fast riders occasionally on the (not crowded usually) MBT in headwinds or just for the heck of it. And I’ve had people do the same behind me. I don’t mind at all — it seems to make sense to help somebody up the trail. But I didn’t want to creep somebody out by following them either. And also, obviously, the drafter needs to be really alert for slowdowns…

Always ask permission. At a minimum, this ensures they’ll know you’re back there and will be calling changes/problems out.

On the eastern part of the W&OD, I wouldn’t do it with someone you don’t know. Too many path crossings, stop signs and, during the heavy season, people.

And never on the MVT, way too crowded to do it safely. I’ve seen two ambulances picking up cyclists on the MVT, and my gut feeling (due to the clothing of those waiting around) was that it was due to a paceline gone wrong.

Brendan

[Joe Chapline]

@Dirt 5185 wrote:

For drafting, I usually pull to the front and take a pull, then see if the person wants to take a pull. If I’m not able to get around and do that, I will ask if I can take a wheel for a few.

I think having a stranger pull up right behind me is creepy. Plus, rightly or wrongly, I worry that someone who’s behaving like they’re in race is probably going to ride up my back if I stop at a stop sign. Dirt’s approach would work, because if someone pulls in front, I can stop and wait until the crazy person is out of sight.

[brendan]

@Joe Chapline 5191 wrote:

I think having a stranger pull up right behind me is creepy. Plus, rightly or wrongly, I worry that someone who’s behaving like they’re in race is probably going to ride up my back if I stop at a stop sign. Dirt’s approach would work, because if someone pulls in front, I can stop and wait until the crazy person is out of sight.

Of course, someone not familiar with drafting might think you were pulling some sort of primate dominance game.

I still think one should vocalize your intentions.

And there can be additional complications. Recall this thread? http://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?369-Trail-Etiquette

Brendan

[Author]

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