Originally Posted by
kirbyx
Miscommunication and inexperience can result in awful things... I have had similar situations as yourself. Pick any skill: 50% of the population are below the mean.
However, when I was younger and inexperienced, I had no idea what 'On your left' meant. It's what experienced cyclists say to each other. So when a voice from just behind me shouted 'On your left' I had no idea what it was, what it meant or what to do. On top of that, I've always had problems figuring out which hand is my right and which is my left.
So... as you said, I now assume everyone doesn't understand what I'm saying or doing when I"m on the bike, and assume that everyone is going to do something unexpected. And what about those cyclists who draft you without letting you know that they're there?. Oh, and get off my lawn :-)
New to club rides, I wondered who the ride leader was waving to, with his left arm bent at the elbow, pointed upward. Later: Oh, it's a "right turn" signal!
Yeah, the local bike path has signs telling riders to use "on your left".
No. I like "passing through", or even "good morning" if I'm passing slowly.