Passing other cyclists

Is there a reason that no one ever says "on your left" anymore? I was actually called out for not doing so by a messenger about 3 weeks ago passing him on his left over the brigde heading southbound on Milwaukee, just before Grand/Halsted. I was embarassed but realized that no matter how close or far (I thought I left plenty of room for him to swerve) you are to someone it helps/doesn't hurt to let them know you're there. It's just courtesy. In the weeks since I have been keeping a mental inventory of how many people (generally) actually say anything when passing. So here is my unofficial count from three weeks of rush hour commuting:

-1-

Do cyclists not like doing it? Do they think it is rude itself? I decided to post this today finally after being passed in the rain this morning (9.27.11) on my RIGHT by about a foot, with no warning.

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Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on September 27, 2011 at 10:21am

I just use the bell for passing bikes. If I pass a pedestrian on a path, I ring the bell while saying "I'M on your left" so there's no confusion.

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Permalink Reply by Heather on September 27, 2011 at 10:23am

I generally don't if there's a wide enough berth between me and the other cyclist and no cars on our left, etc. I find I say it more on the bike path when it's busy than on the street.

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Permalink Reply by Rhea Butcher on September 27, 2011 at 10:26am

That's how I felt until I was totally reamed out for not saying it. I was passing with what felt like 4 feet, to me. What I've realized however, is that 4 feet to the passer may feel more like 2 feet to the passed.

Heather said:

I generally don't if there's a wide enough berth between me and the other cyclist and no cars on our left, etc. I find I say it more on the bike path when it's busy than on the street.

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Permalink Reply by Heather on September 27, 2011 at 10:37am

Well, maybe that guy was just a jerk. ;)

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Permalink Reply by Jeremy on September 27, 2011 at 10:41am

I always say it passing someone on the street, but if it seems like there's enough room to pass on the path w/o crowding someone I probably won't. Getting passed on my right makes me grind my teeth though. So annoying, especially when it's practically deserted out.

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Permalink Reply by Rhea Butcher on September 27, 2011 at 10:44am

Probably ;)

Heather said:

Well, maybe that guy was just a jerk. ;)

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Permalink Reply by Matt T on September 27, 2011 at 10:46am

I personally don't say anything when passing, but mostly out of shyness/embarrassment. I do really appreciate it when other cyclists give me a warning, and feel like I should probably start doing the same.

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Permalink Reply by S.Presley☠ on September 27, 2011 at 11:07am

I like my little bell...it feels better than yelling. But sometimes I wish I had an Air horn for people on the LFP with head phones.

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Permalink Reply by Melanie K on September 27, 2011 at 11:23am

I appreciate when people say "on your left" when passing but if there is wide berth between their bike and mine, I don't care. It's when people pass silently on the left or right with very little room to spare that drives me nutty- at least ring a bell or say what side you are passing on. Also, if someone is passing on the right, why can't they just say it "passing on the right" or "on your right side" as I have almost creamed a few people on Wells in the bike lane who have passed me on the right. I admit, I ride a bit closer to the left of the bike lane for dooring safety, but I will gladly move over and allow someone to pass me if I heard someone say "on your left" or a dinging bell behind me. I personally just use my bell to alert someone to my passing them, as I don't have a very powerful voice, but the bell seems to work enough to get another cyclist's attention.

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Permalink Reply by Anne on September 27, 2011 at 11:30am

In regards to saying "on your left", not everyone speaks English out there..and you can't assume that they understand the phrase - sometimes the passee will actually move TO their left.

I like my bell. More importantly, after they move over I like to say "thank you".

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Permalink Reply by Regan on September 27, 2011 at 11:47am

I appreciate when others make the effort to say something. I really hate the pack riders who say absolutely nothing. Or just that pack ride mentality altogether. If there are a lot of people around, saying 'on yer left' kind of gets old. But when passing once in a while, I think it is common courtesy to say something.

Anne said:

In regards to saying "on your left", not everyone speaks English out there..and you can't assume that they understand the phrase - sometimes the passee will actually move TO their left.

I like my bell. More importantly, after they move over I like to say "thank you".