Communication is a Two-Way Trail

Dr. Gridlock had some follow-up letters on the subject of bell use by trail cyclists. The first writer notes that while cyclists need to announce their pass, others need to make sure they can hear that; and that everyone needs to show each other courtesy

A few months ago, I rang my bell when coming up behind a person walking a dog. To make sure the person knew what was happening, I also shouted, "passing on your left, please." Instead of making sure that the dog remained on a short leash, the person let the leash out, and the dog cut across the trail. I had to swerve and ended up crashing.

All cyclists need to exercise care and courtesy and put safety first. But we can't make the trail safe by ourselves. Pedestrians must use care and courtesy, too, if we all are going to be safe.

The second writer thinks they've noted a pattern - women warn and men don't. Dr. G has noticed a different distinction.

The only distinction I've noticed among cyclists is this: I've had very good experience sharing pathways with commuting cyclists. Almost every one I've encountered knows what he or she is doing, communicates with walkers and treats them courteously.

The third writer complains not only about passing cyclists but also passing runners, and even thinks that bicycles should be classified as vehicles and limited to the streets (at least until he gets in his car and wonders why the cyclists are using that perfectly good bike trail)

He ends with a pair of letters, one from a cyclist who'd like to see more enforcement of traffic laws for cyclists,

Cyclists who claim the rights of drivers must accept the responsibilities as well.

and another from a cyclist advocating the Idaho stop. Obviously I agree with the second letter writer more than the first (I don't want the same rights or the same responsibilities). Dr. Gridlock missed the point I think

I'm not convinced that just because cyclists can see and hear traffic better means they will act more responsibly than drivers do when traffic is present. I wouldn't lift the speed limits just because many drivers speed, and I'm not sure I would ease the stop laws for one class of travelers. It would rely too much on their personal judgments.

The point is not that they will act more responsibly, but that they will have more information and that this behavior is safer for cyclists than it is for drivers. And the law should not be changed because so many cyclists break it, but because doing so makes cycling easier with no loss of safety (in fact, evidence out of Idaho indicates that it makes cycling safer) - the same can not be said for waiving speed limit laws. Traffic laws are filled with reliance on personal judgment and they always will be - until we have robot-driven cars.

Photo by Mr. T in DC

Comments

[Shawn]

I had a runner with a dog stop me and two other cyclists while going under a bridge because he felt 'unsafe' he nearly caused a three bicycle crash when he threw out his arm and yelled, "STOP!" for no reason. Awful trail behavior.

[Eric_W.]

It is true that many bicylists don't announce themselves. I notice that when I am out on family rides (because, of course, nobody ever passes me during my commute :-D) and it is a little annoying. My kids know that it is important to give some kind of signal that you are passing and they do a great job considering that they are still much more concentrated on the actual act of cycling. People know when my kids want to pass.

Maybe commuters behave a little better on the trail. However, when I run to work, (during commuting time frames), the majority of cyclists does not announce itself and I am constantly looking over my shoulder so I don't get startled.

That's why I will be ringing my bell until it gets a dent. ;-)

My personal favorites are the people who don't hear me and then get all offended. Not sure what, if anything, I can do about that. Stop and have a pity party? Take his ear plugs out? Offer a cup of coffee? Take away the smart phone? Just not sure.

[washcycle]

If someone wants to be upset because they were inattentive and didn't hear you warn them, there is very little you can do about that. I suppose you could only pass when signaled, but not everyone will do that. The best you can do is signal and pass safely.

[Purple Eagle]

Eric W: I occasionally run to work too . . I thought I might be the only one crazy enough to do that (~13-14 miles, although I usually take metro part of the way).

[Eric_W.]

Well, my run is only 6.75 miles one-way. 13-14 miles seems a little long... That's my roundtrip!

If I ever get serious about Triathlon, I can get all my training in during the week: Bike on four days and on one day I run to the 14th Street bridge, swim across the Potomac to the Jefferson Memorial and run to work the rest of the way. :-)