Say something to hands-off cyclist?
#101
#103
Senior Member
#104
Senior Member
when I was a kid I could ride my bike from my house to the city park about 2 miles away with no hands on the handlebars. Now I can't take them off for more than a few seconds.
#105
Senior Member
Lots of shade from the sun, no damn cars to worry about, and nice and scenic in a number of ways.
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#106
Full Member
So my current pet peeve when on my MUP is the occasional rider, usually a male teenager, riding towards me whom I notice as he passes that he's riding hands-off. I reflexively yell something like "Hands on the bars!" as I pass since I think it's pretty rude to ride in the vicinity of another human (pedestrian or cyclist) without full control of the bicycle. All it would take is the front wheel hitting a piece of tree branch on the trail to send that cyclist flying, and there would be a good chance he'd collide with anyone nearby.
Wondering what others think about this?
Wondering what others think about this?
#107
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#108
Junior Member
Hands free
It really is about them crashing, particularly if like another fellow, said elbows out and head well braced.
More of a worry is the Tri athlete on tri bike, banging away up hill in big ring, riding for the first time in a bunch. Dodging their weaving is unsettling to the bunch and the only place for them is either way off the front, or well away from other climbers.
More of a worry is the Tri athlete on tri bike, banging away up hill in big ring, riding for the first time in a bunch. Dodging their weaving is unsettling to the bunch and the only place for them is either way off the front, or well away from other climbers.
#109
So my current pet peeve when on my MUP is the occasional rider, usually a male teenager, riding towards me whom I notice as he passes that he's riding hands-off. I reflexively yell something like "Hands on the bars!" as I pass since I think it's pretty rude to ride in the vicinity of another human (pedestrian or cyclist) without full control of the bicycle. All it would take is the front wheel hitting a piece of tree branch on the trail to send that cyclist flying, and there would be a good chance he'd collide with anyone nearby.
Wondering what others think about this?
Wondering what others think about this?
#110
Junior Member
So my current pet peeve when on my MUP is the occasional rider, usually a male teenager, riding towards me whom I notice as he passes that he's riding hands-off. I reflexively yell something like "Hands on the bars!" as I pass since I think it's pretty rude to ride in the vicinity of another human (pedestrian or cyclist) without full control of the bicycle. All it would take is the front wheel hitting a piece of tree branch on the trail to send that cyclist flying, and there would be a good chance he'd collide with anyone nearby.
Wondering what others think about this?
Wondering what others think about this?
#111
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Really, hands off riding?
The kids around here ride their 7/8/9 km to school every day regardless of the rain/snow/occasional sunshine/ and what have you. So many of them have their ear-buds attached and their hands - both hands - rapidly punching in whatever on their smartphones - I guess that is called texting? I do not have a smartphone just my classic/vintage Samsung flip phone so I really do not know what they are doing with that phone thing. For the most part they are totally oblivious to the world around them and I have had to occasionally, and loudly, make my presence on the bike road (fietspad) known. A few times I really woke up the hands-off rider and brought them back to the real world. There are also quite a few without the texting machine that thrive on riding with their hands behind their heads like they were relaxing on the beach somewhere. I, unfortunately, do not have the balance thing anymore to allow me to ride "hands-off". I have tried, but the old body just does not do this thing anymore.
#112
Zip tie Karen
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Check your local regulations. In many jurisdictions, riding "no hands" is against the law. E.g.:
"Trick riding, including riding with no hand on the handle bars, is not allowed on any road, bicycle way, or sidewalk."
https://stevenspoint.com/640/Bicycle-Rules
"Trick riding, including riding with no hand on the handle bars, is not allowed on any road, bicycle way, or sidewalk."
https://stevenspoint.com/640/Bicycle-Rules
#113
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I don't think these local laws are designed to limit stupid behaviors as much as they are designed to protect the innocents that too often are victims of the stupid behaviors. Your "Let nature take its course" is fine until it hurts the innocent.
#114
#115
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I think the bigger question is whether you say something to someone riding pants-off.
#116
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The responses seem a little entitled when complaining about someone using a MUP in a way that doesn't match the writer's expectation. These paths are wonderful resources where they are available, especially in congested areas. If a teen kid is out riding a bike instead of sitting in front of a TV, then I wouldn't complain that he is riding hands free if not causing other problems. The OP saw his behavior for what, 20 seconds?
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#117
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Personally, I find cyclists blowing stop signs and red lights have more danger for me due to auto drivers resentment and blowback anger than a no hands rider that I can prepare to avoid.
Last edited by Bill in VA; 09-23-19 at 02:45 PM.
#118
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riding hands-off is literally an important skill to learn on a bike, if you ever need to take off or put on gloves during a group ride or something similar. it's about as "trick riding" as bunnyhopping a pothole.
these laws exist because a bunch of people complained to cops about them, because it "looks dangerous".
these laws exist because a bunch of people complained to cops about them, because it "looks dangerous".
#120
Say something to hands off cyclist
So my current pet peeve when on my MUP is the occasional rider, usually a male teenager, riding towards me whom I notice as he passes that he's riding hands-off. I reflexively yell something like "Hands on the bars!" as I pass since I think it's pretty rude to ride in the vicinity of another human (pedestrian or cyclist) without full control of the bicycle. All it would take is the front wheel hitting a piece of tree branch on the trail to send that cyclist flying, and there would be a good chance he'd collide with anyone nearby.
Wondering what others think about this?
Wondering what others think about this?
Mike
#121
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#122
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Listen here, you young whippersnapper! Some of us ARE "old people." We are experienced, devious, cunning, sneaky, underhanded, and sometimes quick to anger.
#123
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#124
Junior Member
My wife, age 63, rides no-handed quite a bit when we are out together. I usually point out what an inconvenience it would be should she fall, but in our 33 years riding together she rarely pays me heed. That's probably what I like about her. Hasn't fallen yet either.
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#125
Banned.
Hah! You 'fell' for her and she 'fell' for you!