Why do so many people not signal when passing on trails?

[CCrew]

@Usern Ame 5490 wrote:

So you are okay if a parent brings their kids onto the bike path and just lets them run around in both lanes?

I expect it to happen and I deal with it accordingly. Last I checked, it’s not MY path

[Usern Ame]

@brendan 5492 wrote:

No, but there is nothing that I can do that will change the behavior other than slow the heck down and call my passes as loudly and authoritatively as possible. [/quote]
Yeah, I completely get what you are saying. I do this too.

Quote:

Perhaps I let some incredulity creep into my voice when the brainlessness is on display…sometimes more than others…

lol

Quote:

Some of the more parkish areas on the W&OD and MVT are overrun with cross-trail and along-trail kid and dog traffic, especially on the weekends. Fighting against that is like trying to stop a tidal wave with a bucket. Some kid is going to get hurt, and it may be partly the parent’s fault. But I’m not going to be involved.

Brendan

I think a cyclist actually died on the trail out there a couple of years ago because they were avoiding someone’s kid.

I think I get what you are saying: basically your position is that it is unreasonable for me to expect that some people on the trail are going to act in a way that even approaches common sense, and therefore the onus is on me to alert them to danger (that being me passing them).

This still seems upside down to me. To me it seems like common sense that if you are on a bike trail (that being a trail where bikes are present) you should act accordlingly (i.e., make sure what your about to do will not result in you getting run over)…and if the general public needs this explained to them then signs should be put up.

[Usern Ame]

Its not their path either. Its a shared path. Letting kids run around on it is dangerous and moronic:) The other thing I have to point out is that I’m not sure I’ve ever actually seen kids running around on the path.

[Usern Ame]

@CCrew 5496 wrote:

I expect it to happen and I deal with it accordingly. Last I checked, it’s not MY path

Its not their path either. Its a shared path. Letting kids run around on it is dangerous and moronic The other thing I have to point out is that I’m not sure I’ve ever actually seen kids running around on the path.

[KLizotte]

@Usern Ame 5500 wrote:

Its not their path either. Its a shared path. Letting kids run around on it is dangerous and moronic The other thing I have to point out is that I’m not sure I’ve ever actually seen kids running around on the path.

Oh I definitely have, esp around Gravelly Pt on the MVT. I’ve seen toddlers left to play on the asphalt with their toys(!), scooters left lying in the middle of trail (which I removed with a warning to the parents – who looked completely confused by what I was saying BTW), kiddies on big-wheels riding wherever they like, kiddies making sudden u-turns, kiddies suddenly darting across the trail without looking, etc.

Also keep in mind that the MUTS around here are filled with tourists who may never have been on a MUT before or even speak English for that matter. In fact, they may not even be familiar with bicycles and how they are used in an urban setting or even be aware that cyclists are on the trail at all. When I was in Munich for the first time over a decade ago I didn’t know what the funny green paint signified on the sidewalks; after almost being run over by cyclists a few times I quickly figured it out (but not before being yelled at).

Then there are those folks who do not think we have a right to be on the MUTs and simply won’t give way.

And lastly, there are those who simply lack good common sense.

[invisiblehand]

@Mark Blacknell 4253 wrote:

Aside from the occasional incompetent cyclist who buzzed me, never really found a warning useful (tho’ I usually tried to acknowledge them with a wave). Don’t really understand how a lack of a warning can inspire so much annoyance.

That is because you experience both sides of the issue. In short, people get surprised a few times by some combination of silly choices and it becomes a mantra.

Nonetheless, it’s polite to announce one’s presence.

FWIW, I find that a bell works noticeably better than calling out.

[StopMeansStop]

I ride with headphones. I’m listening to NPR so I can always hear a pass, but I’ve trained myself to check my six when changing my line. Saved my ass many times from a non caller.

[SteveTheTech]

@Usern Ame 5465 wrote:

It shoud be just like driving…do you announce you are going to pass when you are driving? No.

…Actually here is what the Virginia drivers manual.

Not trying to be a d*ck I was curious myself and figured since I was there I would share.

@brendan 5474 wrote:

Also: it’s important to note that most experienced cyclists will slow down when coming up on another cyclist who is poised to pass a 3rd party. Sometimes they don’t and you end up with a double pass or pass-crash. Less likely to happen if the rear-most cyclist is calling passes, especially if there’s a great difference in cyclist speed.

I have been using a small sunglass mounted mirror since a double pass almost caused a wicked wreck recently. I pay attention to things in all possible directions but people who are passing us when we are going are 17mph tend to literally come out of no where.

Last weekend we were double passed by an oddly slow moving but aggressive pace line just after we passed the BBQ spot in Ashburn. They were already riding double wide when they tried to pass us (2) and two very new to cycling older people who we had just overtaken still riding double wide. I tried to get my phone to snap a pic of the caravan of danger ambling unsafely down the wod, but there was allot going on. Kind of like a celebrity DC police escort, just slower.

@Usern Ame 5479 wrote:

Any adult that lets their kid just run around on a bike trail like its a playground should be forced to take some kind of parenting class that explains to them how to protect their offspring.

I too advocate forcing common sense upon people who decide to have children…but we can’t even ensure everyone can get their medical needs met, I think the common sense police are a few generations away. Then again I am a happy DINK. For the most part people who have used the MUT more than once tends to learn how things operate. Although in areas like Vienna (Community Center) there are Mommy and Me classes of children within 5 feet of the trail on weekend mornings. There are posted signs and boards all over the trail listing the rules and etiquette to be adhered to but all too frequently see them being ignored.

@baiskeli 5489 wrote:

The slightest twitch on a bike can be a disaster.

Yeah, well, I wouldn’t expect anyone to call a pass to me if I had headphones on either. On the other hand, I have had people (usually joggers) with headphones suddenly decide to do a U-turn or something, without looking for traffic.

Cycling can be quite dangerous as my wife learned last week. It seems like every little bit of attention to detail can save someone for physical or legal troubles. As the commercial for that huge insurance company keep repeating “Mayhem happens”.

[Usern Ame]

Yeah you’re right cars do signal the car in front they are passing…I’ve always just thought I was alerting people behind me but it cuts both ways. Nevertheless, the way people know a car is going to pass is because they see someone coming up faster than them.

I have a question if anyone knows – do people announce a pass in road races?

[SteveTheTech]

@Usern Ame 5556 wrote:

I have a question if anyone knows – do people announce a pass in road races?

In most cases they have something a little different. In circle track racing or IRL racing there are members of the race team that sit at the top of the stadium and act as mirrors for the racers. More amateur types of racing like SCCA use stock cars with additional safety features so they are still typically equipped with rear view mirrors.

Depending on the type of car and seating position you prefer the line of sight of your rear view mirror usually grants enough of a view in you periphery to notice a vehicle closing in fast and if they signal their turn you should see it without having to remove your focus ahead of you. We have all been surprised by a car in the blind spot even when driving straight. Typically on the highway there is enough time and distance to take evasive actions to avoid contact. On a MUT the distances are much closer and while speed is less a factor the proximity alone is enough to increase the likelihood of some type of wreck.

This is a great discussion especially in this group we all have different experience and background levels, it has progressed quite interestingly.

[Usern Ame]

I shoulda been more clear…I meant road bike races (as opposed to mountain bike.)

Personally I always check my blindspot while driving. I always check while biking too (because not to seems dangerous). To me calling a pass would is equivalent if we honked everytime we passed someone while driving.

[Jsnyd]

@Usern Ame 5574 wrote:

Personally I always check my blindspot while driving. I always check while biking too (because not to seems dangerous). To me calling a pass would is equivalent if we honked everytime we passed someone while driving.

When we pass in a vehicle, we assume the person we are about to pass has seen us in either 3 of the mirrors they are required to keep an eye on. Plus we then need to signal our pass using our turn signals (to me, using a turn signal is the same as calling a pass). Cars have windows, radios and passengers. That’s mainly why we use visual aids to signal on the road. Bikes, as we all know, have neither of those unless you wear headphones. An audible signal is just good practice for everyone. Especially when calling out to those who seem to not be on the trails that often. With the more seasoned riders, calling is just a courteous gesture. We are all on the trail for just about the same reason. Bottom line is. We enjoy it. So why fight each other and be just the slightest bit rude or inconsiderate? I dont care if people call when they pass me, but It puts me at ease when I KNOW someone is about to pass me. It’s a multi use trail open the the public, not a grand tour.

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