Cycling Etiquette Is Dead
03-10-16, 07:46 PM
#28
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No idea why someone would voice concern and frustration over courtesy, but as it's happened multiple times it's certain not a fluke. I've stopped multiple times and assisted people with flats, offered a frame pump or something else and I've been showered with kindness and thanks. Perhaps it's an "ego" thing. Nonetheless, it's strange. Honestly, I'll probably not stop asking (it's not in my nature) but it's pretty perplexing that people would do that.
Last edited by kbarch; 03-10-16 at 08:00 PM.
03-10-16, 07:53 PM
#29
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Hmm.. I'd expect if a cyclist needed assistance, they'd wave down another passing cyclist, or make some sort of indication if not wave. Staring blankly into space probably won't garner a lot of would-be helpers.
03-10-16, 07:56 PM
#30
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How long is it taking this guy to fix a flat for enough people to offer help for it to get annoying?
03-10-16, 07:59 PM
#31
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It's really not hard to ask. Maybe even slow just a bit as you do. Several people I have asked were glad to accept my help, but timid about asking.
03-10-16, 08:08 PM
#32
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When I see someone fixing their bike at the roadside I always ask them if they need anything. Nearly always they answer "I'm fine, thanks". The ones who need help usually ask for it. The last one was weird: he asked me to help him looking for his quick release nut. He had a flat, thought he needed to take the QR away and lost the nut in the grass. He found it eventually - the spring was missing, but I assured him it would work anyway.
Another time many years ago I stopped to ask a girl on a motorcycle if she needed help, and all of a sudden her jealous boyfriend came out of nowhere, very angry, and told me to get lost...
Another time many years ago I stopped to ask a girl on a motorcycle if she needed help, and all of a sudden her jealous boyfriend came out of nowhere, very angry, and told me to get lost...
03-10-16, 08:09 PM
#33
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Anecdotes are anecdotal.
Here's another one.
Recently, cyclists asked me if I needed help while fixing a flat.
Here's another one.
Recently, cyclists asked me if I needed help while fixing a flat.
Last edited by njkayaker; 03-10-16 at 08:18 PM.
03-10-16, 08:13 PM
#36
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I would not expect a rider in a group of riders to stop. I would expect solo riders to stop.
03-10-16, 08:24 PM
#37
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lol.
What's Strava? You never just go for a relaxing ride by yourself?
Because I choose too. No explanation warranted.
Because I choose too. No explanation warranted.
03-10-16, 08:32 PM
#38
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I'm not stopping for anyone. Saw some guy with his bike flipped upside down, messing with the chain. Stopped to see if he needed help. Another guy jumped out of the bushes, threw me to the ground and took my bike. Luckily my crotch phone, or whatever you called it, was in my jersey pocket. The guys were caught 15 minutes later.
This is 2016 dude, not the 80's. You can't trust anyone.
This is 2016 dude, not the 80's. You can't trust anyone.
03-10-16, 08:33 PM
#39
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If I see a cyclist on the side of the road... I ask if they need help. And if the response is yes, I stop and assist anyway I can. Even if it means giving them my spare tube and CO2. I'd sure hope i'd get help if needed.
03-10-16, 08:35 PM
#40
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I'm not stopping for anyone. Saw some guy with his bike flipped upside down, messing with the chain. Stopped to see if he needed help. Another guy jumped out of the bushes, threw me to the ground and took my bike. Luckily my crotch phone, or whatever you called it, was in my jersey pocket. The guys were caught 15 minutes later.
This is 2016 dude, not the 80's. You can't trust anyone.
This is 2016 dude, not the 80's. You can't trust anyone.
03-10-16, 08:35 PM
#41
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one time I came across a young couple on the side of a MUP, it was raining and the girl had lost control in a sharp corner on the sealed blacktop and slid out. she had a very small brush burn on her elbow, but was looking extra pathetic huddled on the side of the trail in the wet grass. my first and only question was "is the bike ok?" her male friend found this very amusing, she did not. I informed her that while I had tools and flat repair equipment, I did not have a band-aid. still, she was not impressed. sigh, such is life.
03-10-16, 08:40 PM
#42
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I'm not stopping for anyone. Saw some guy with his bike flipped upside down, messing with the chain. Stopped to see if he needed help. Another guy jumped out of the bushes, threw me to the ground and took my bike. Luckily my crotch phone, or whatever you called it, was in my jersey pocket. The guys were caught 15 minutes later.
This is 2016 dude, not the 80's. You can't trust anyone.
This is 2016 dude, not the 80's. You can't trust anyone.
03-10-16, 08:40 PM
#43
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I'm not stopping for anyone. Saw some guy with his bike flipped upside down, messing with the chain. Stopped to see if he needed help. Another guy jumped out of the bushes, threw me to the ground and took my bike. Luckily my crotch phone, or whatever you called it, was in my jersey pocket. The guys were caught 15 minutes later.
This is 2016 dude, not the 80's. You can't trust anyone.
This is 2016 dude, not the 80's. You can't trust anyone.
03-10-16, 08:58 PM
#44
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Well, I always stop and ask when I see someone. I've never had anyone be rude back or put off. They were seemed appreciative that I asked even though they've always had it handled. I'd feel like a jerk if I didn't at least ask if they needed help and I don't want to feel like a jerk. 
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03-10-16, 09:06 PM
#46
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Usually I just ask "You OK?". If I hear nothing, I just keep riding. Now, it they want to take offense, that's their issue, not mine. Asking to help is just part of being a decent human. A world where you get asked too many times? Sounds like a decent place to be if you ask me.
Ben
Ben
03-10-16, 09:27 PM
#47
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It was a quiet side road. I probably shouldn't have stopped but it's just impulse to stop when you see someone in need. I was just raised that way.
I guess I agree with what you said in your original post. It's just a sad state we live in nowadays.
I guess I agree with what you said in your original post. It's just a sad state we live in nowadays.
03-10-16, 09:39 PM
#48
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I thought this was going to be another waving thread! 
Its the opposite around here, I can't stop on the side of the road to have a drink without a cyclist asking if I need help!
I always carry two tubes, a chain tool and a couple quick links so I'm ready to help the cyclist in need.
Its the opposite around here, I can't stop on the side of the road to have a drink without a cyclist asking if I need help!
I always carry two tubes, a chain tool and a couple quick links so I'm ready to help the cyclist in need.
03-10-16, 10:04 PM
#49
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If it's a single rider, I'll usually slow a little and ask something, ever so often someone does need a hand.
When it's a small group, I usually don't say anything unless they look particularly confused (ie staring at an upside down bike).
The last time I stopped, I was actually in my car, and passed a guy walking his bike. I was planning to ride later, so I had a frame pump and full repair kit in my trunk. I stopped in the gas station and 10 minutes later he was grateful and back on his way.
When it's a small group, I usually don't say anything unless they look particularly confused (ie staring at an upside down bike).
The last time I stopped, I was actually in my car, and passed a guy walking his bike. I was planning to ride later, so I had a frame pump and full repair kit in my trunk. I stopped in the gas station and 10 minutes later he was grateful and back on his way.
03-10-16, 10:07 PM
#50
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I'm not stopping for anyone. Saw some guy with his bike flipped upside down, messing with the chain. Stopped to see if he needed help. Another guy jumped out of the bushes, threw me to the ground and took my bike. Luckily my crotch phone, or whatever you called it, was in my jersey pocket. The guys were caught 15 minutes later.
This is 2016 dude, not the 80's. You can't trust anyone.
This is 2016 dude, not the 80's. You can't trust anyone.
Unfortunately due to shoddy finish production work on my non oem wheels I had a flat every time I rode one of my bikes. (Fixed now) But every time I flatted some one asked if I was ok. Mind you they weren't cyclist, they were people in pick up trucks. I rarely see cyclist on that route at the time I bike. But one particular time I decided to patch my tube rather than use the spare and 2 people stopped and asked if I was ok, one even made a U turn and asked, I said I was ok just fixing a flat and he asked again , you sure?
On that same route I've stopped and asked people who were pulled over in their vehicles if they were ok. So it goes both ways.
But one thing for sure not every vehicle stopped to ask and I didn't get offended, nor would I if they were on a bike. Etiquette can be found and lost anywhere and everywhere by anyone or everyone. Not just cyclist.