Ninety5rpm

(see poll)

1nterceptor

If I'm on the street; I pass very wide - no notification given.
If I'm on a tight bike path, I observe before I pass. Experienced roadie
in a tight line to the side; no notice. Newbie rider all over the place;
pleasant "Passing" notice given.

FBinNY 

The poll left out ------- sometimes, when I feel the situation calls for it.

If there's room, I just pass. But if circumstances dictate a close pass I'll often announce it.

wphamilton

For "cyclists" no, for newbies yes.

debade

My experience is that at least 70% say nothing. I am an experienced cyclist but would appreciate the notice. It almost always startles me. It would be great if all cyclists would announce themselves. Saying hello would be nice too.

FBinNY 

Easy solution. Just ride a bit faster and you'll be passing more and getting passed less.

debade

Seriously folks, its great to be back in NY. What a great crowd tonight. Speaking of bikes ...

Actually, I thought it was a funny response.

canklecat

Usually I call out "Look, Elvis!"

Milton Keynes

They don't have an option for me. I don't call out "On your left!" because I will ring my bell instead.

raqball

It depends.. On the bike path I do but I say passing instead of on your left. Saying on your left confuses the walkers and they almost always step to their left..

On the roadway I will if I don't have ample room to pass at a safe distance.

1989Pre 

I call out, but then again, I say "excuse me" when I walk in front of a fellow shopper who is gazing at something on the rack, so decorum is something I try hard at.

1989Pre 

A bell is the proper way to do it. They were required in British road races.

1989Pre 

I hear you well, my friend. I guess the fact that you don't always hear it makes it especially nice when you do hear it.

vol

It's almost always too late when someone says that to me. And almost always not loud and clear enough (I'm not hearing impaired). Most of the time I heard what sounded like they were talking to themselves, until they've passed me when I realized they were talking to me. Usually they say that when they were in the process of passing, as if saying, excuse me, I'm passing you. While it shows courtesy, it's not effective. So be sure to yell loud and clear well in advance and the person you are aiming at knows you were yelling at them.

CB HI

I did not answer the poll since the OP wrongly assumed why I would or would not call out. Makes it a poor and invalid poll.

wipekitty

I usually audibly announce my presence, but quit yelling "On yer left!" Instead, I opt for a nice greeting: "Hello!" "Good morning!"

If there's not traffic and it's a rider who is going just a bit slower and seems friendly, I might have a short conversation before carrying on. Same if it's someone I know (this happens - fairly small town.)

debade

Maybe, the cyclist can take ventriloquist lessons. They can send out a message that they are passing but not feel responsible for doing it. That would allow them to be helpful without feeling like they are changing their behavior.

TenSpeedV2

I used to love passing people, but now it is more of a pain than anything. On the MUP, depending on the rider, I may announce my presence. So many people riding bikes, runners, joggers, bladers and pedestrians wear headphones now so calling out is usually on deaf ears. While I don't use any type of mirror, it is appreciated to those that do, and check them, and make the visible move to the right because you checked it and saw a rider at a faster pace approaching.

Personally, the sound of a bell, and that shrill "ding" really annoys me. Can't stop thinking that it reminds me of a car horn, with an impatient driver behind me, telling me to get out of the way. Luckily the number of passes that I make on a ride, be it a commute or fun ride is minimal, no bell is needed. I would rather slow down and pass after a personal greeting or the sound of my rather loud free hub making an announcement for me. Usually that does the trick.

ItsJustMe

Almost always when passing, I can leave a safe berth even on a path (the only paths I'm ever on are quite wide).

On the road, it's extremely rare for me to pass anyone. The only people slower than me are the kids and old people who wouldn't go on the road and are going 8 MPH on the MUP.

jefnvk

Depends. If they are holding a steady line, and I have enough room to do it safely, no. If they are riding side by side, weaving, sitting in the center of the path, approaching other oncoming traffic, or any other types of actions where I could conceivably be run off the trail or into another lane, I will signal my presence.

adablduya

perhaps it's something of a regional or geographical issue; i'm from houston, and the call-out culture is quite common and appreciated. currently living in southern california, and quite the opposite exists. never get any call-outs. quite annoying....

vol

Btw, the cyclist in this instance mumbled something while passing me and clipped my left calf very badly. Worst injury I've ever had while bike riding.

Milton Keynes

And a bell works well for me while riding in the morning and coming across people out walking, because usually they're walking on the other side of the street but I still want to give them heads up that I'm coming through. So rather than saying "On your right!" I just ring the bell. It also helps when they're walking down the middle of the street and I'm not sure which side I'm going to take, which is whichever side they move away from after I ring the bell.

Randombiker9

I have a bell on my bike so I just ring the bell when I pass people

Stormsedge

I've done it about three times...pretty exciting to pass instead of being passed. I certainly appreciate it when those passing sing out. I let walkers and runners know as well.