Say something to hands-off cyclist?
#1
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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?
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#2
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Just put your head down and elbows out and brace for impact in case the other rider comes into your lane! I see that a bit where I ride but don't get too excited about it. I put my head down.... lol
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I like riding with my hands off the bars with a bike stable enough to make it easy to lean through sweeping turns. It's one way to take a load off the hands for a bit.
I'll admit, I get my hands back on the bars when people or cars are near. I'd do the same if on a narrow path with other bikes coming towards me.
But if I was a unicyclist, I'd be back to not having any hands on the bars. All the time.
I'll admit, I get my hands back on the bars when people or cars are near. I'd do the same if on a narrow path with other bikes coming towards me.
But if I was a unicyclist, I'd be back to not having any hands on the bars. All the time.
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I'd mmob. Now if it were breaking a law, then I'd notify the authorities.
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#10
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If it bothered me that much, I'd probably say something to get the message across ...but something not as abrasive. Something along the lines of... "Be careful riding like that, you might hit a piece of branch or something." "Hurt you and someone else!"
#11
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If he's not riding in a perfectly straight line, I adjust my course to go straight at him. That usually gets his hands on his bars. If he's going straight on smooth paving, I'll let him be. I have more trouble with the kids of 9-12 who can't ride in straight lines.
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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?
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Kids are mean and stupid... Not really much you can do.
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Spend more time cycling ... less time worrying about what others are doing.
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Save the yelling for when something actually happens. It feels so much better when you have earned the righteous indignation!
p.s. I work in Berkeley, so I've become immune to people policing my behavior/thoughts.
p.s. I work in Berkeley, so I've become immune to people policing my behavior/thoughts.
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Never give much thought to the handlebar thing. More of a concern for me are skateboarders on the MUT and the risk of an errant board meeting one of my tires.
As a retired cop I am used to putting up with those kind of knuckleheads, which includes arrogant, entitled cyclists. I usually just roll on by and let Darwin sort things out.
Last edited by Dr.Lou; 09-20-19 at 04:32 AM.
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#21
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If I did that on the MUP or many areas of town there would be no time to ride. Usually the no hands is accompanied by a cell phone in hand. Only time I yell is when they are coming at me going the wrong way in a bike lane. My norm is move closer to the curb, let them deal with the consequences.
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Playing chicken is never a good way to promote safety. Your post is unclear, are you really pointing your bike at 9-12 year olds? Don't do that, they're prone to panic.
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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?
I say something when people are shining bright strobes in my eyes, when they're close-passing small children, pace lining on curvy crowded paths and crowding me out of my lane. Theoretical hazards are not worth the confrontation.
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There are sections of MUPs near me that are the closest thing I can find to a several mile closed track. Sorry you're missing out.
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Only if he/she almost hit me. Same goes for people swerving intentionally, which I have seen too many adults do. "Please ride in a straight line."