What is the proper way to announce coming up behind someone?

Question

I ride my bike on the sidewalk as I don't trust cars to see me in the road. I slow down and say (what I think to be loudly enough) "excuse me" and nothing seems to happen. Sometimes they have head phones on, are walking and talking w/ someone else so they may not hear me. What is the proper way to announce you are coming up behind someone without making them think I'm crazy or rude? thank you!!

Answer 1

I agree with the other answerers, sidewalk cycling is not the best option. On it, unless the law states you can ride it, pedestrians have the right of way. Even if you are allowed on the path, they still legally have the right of way .

Having a bike weave past you when walking is a bit rude & dangerous, espicially if they give no warning.

The right thing to do is slooow down & maybe get off and walk your bike.

The head phone making pedestrian unaware of their surroundings is a sore-point for me.

I live near the ocean, where there are a quite a few multi-use off-road pathways. If it's not bad enough that people often walk 2 or more abreast, blocking the path completely, they are wearing those silly ipods.

It doesn't matter how many times I ring my bike bell, they just can't hear me and won't clear the path. Which is why, I prefer to stay on the road most of the time.

Back on to the issue of warning other people when on multi-use pathways.. A ring of a bell, "passing", or "bike coming through" are good options.

And if the pedestrian is prompt and polite about moving aside, it's not such a bad idea to give them a friendly gesture in return. It must be remembered that many a pedestrian is also a motorist & it doesn't hurt to try to improve the way they think about cyclists in general.

On the road, warning other cyclists that you are going to pass is often a good idea also.  I am not the fastest cyclist, and am passed sometimes, and I do appreciate a warning for safety reasons.

Passing me on my left side (we ride on the left side in Oz), without making a sound is plain rude & dangerous (some blighter did that the other day to me!)

Answer 2

I'm not sure where you live, but look for an Effective Cycling class.  You'll learn a few things and build up your confidence to operate a bicycle as the laws intend them to be operated:

- Cars see you MUCH better when you're sharing the roadway.

- Sidewalks are 2-4 times more dangerous because cars don't look for bicycles on the sidewalk.

- Sidewalks are an opportunity to collide with a pedestrian.

- Find routes where the difference between your speed and the traffic's speed is small.  This makes for safer and more pleasant ride.

The increased danger is the main reason there are laws prohibiting cycling on a sidewalk.

Now, there are Multi-use paths where cars are prohibited and bicycles share the path with pedestrians.  Yes, those with headphones are annoying, but I find they tend to stay on their side of the path.  The convention for passing anyone (pedestrian, another cyclist, skate-boarder) is to say "on your left" or "on your right" depending on which side of the road you use, but I prefer "Good Morning" or "Good Afternoon" since most people know which side of the road to be on.

Answer 3

Certainly here in the UK - Usual roadie protocol is "On your right!"

I very often ride country lanes and encounter horse riders, that's  when I usually shout "Bike!" - well in advance. (to prepare the horse rider - I slow down anyway and 99% of the time I receive a 'Thank you' !)

Pedestrians on the pavement are a different 'kettle of fish!' - They are on home ground (where as, you are not! - I won't go into the legalities of riding on the pavement/sidewalk) so you must accommodate them.

YOU have to slow down and make way for them! Whether you 'cough' loudly or shout "excuse me" is down to you, but remember, they have  right of way (even if they are being selectively deaf??)

Failing that, - find a gap - ride past them quickly and push them aside!!  lol.

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Answer 4

I find that you get into much more trouble trying to ride on sidewalks not just from pedestrians, but from cars turning into or out of driveways/parking lot entrances. Generally cars aren't looking for someone on a bike on the sidewalk and they will pull right in front of you. Other times, they will pull out across the sidewalk area to get a better look at oncoming traffic and you will be forced to ride into the street to get around them. Then you end up in a situation where you suddenly enter the same lane as a car approaching from behind, who also might not be looking for a bike on the sidewalk.

I just try to stay over to the right as much as possible on roads without bike lanes. The only time I go on the sidewalk is when I'm stopped at a red light to avoid sitting in the right turn lane.

Answer 5

The normal... "rider up" or "Rider left/right" will not work.  You need to understand you are on their path, which you seem to do.  Although you seem to be very polite and just want to ride by, you may find the need to hop onto the street to pass and then back up when it is clear.  Headphones, talking and whatnot is proper for people walking on the sidewalk, you need to conform.  If you can get by safely without leaving the sidewalk, do so.  If not - as mentioned - hop on and hop off SAFELY.

Answer 6

You're not really allowed to be on the sidewalk, as it is reserved for pedestrians.

So, you can not really tell people to move out of your way.

Answer 7

Like the others said, bikes aren't really allowed on sidewalks.  In many cities, you can actually get a ticket.  However, if you must ride on sidewalks, as the others said, you must conform to the pedestrians.  An audible, but not screamed "on your right" or "left" should do.  Go only about walking speed if it is crowded.  When going a little faster and passing an occasional pedestrian, it is curteous to slow down, give plenty of notice, and if they don't hear, slow down more or walk.  Most pedestrians really appreciate a bell, too; sometimes it is more audible to someone wearing earphones.

Answer 8

I usually say "on your right" or "on your left" depending on the side I am going to pass them. If they are listening to head phones or cant hear you, you pretty much just have to take your chances getting around them.