Joe Bikerider

BobbyG

Do you use a helmet or glasses mount mirror? I realize you signalled, and that the other bike should have been expecting you to turn, but a mirror would help you make more informed decisions. But mirrors are no panacea. Despite my opsessive/compulsive mirror checking, I had a situation similar to yours a couple of weeks ago. I didn't see the bicyclist behind me in my mirror. I suspect he swung in around me from a side street in just such a way that I missed him, but as in your case, he should have seen me signal and slowed to allow it.

caloso

That guy's a jerk and should have called out the pass. However, I never, ever assume I'm clear. Always, always, always shoulder check when making a lateral move, whether commuting or racing. No mirror necessary.

TrojanHorse

That jerk probably didn't wave either!

DanBraden

Yeah, mirrors are great! Defensive biking at it's finest!

Sometimes people just make mistakes and get embarrassed then lash out. However, this guy sounds like he'd be a jerk even if he didn't have "Tour Fever".

canamdad

The overtaking cyclist was negligent in not alerting you that he was passing (verbal or bell) but you always have to shoulder check first before making a left hand turn and then signal.

Troul 

i always ding ding or "on yer left" when going for a pass. It always catches them off guard & results in something negative from the situation.

wolfchild

Agreed 100%....I still shoulder check even if I am riding with a mirror. Maybe I am OCD about.

canklecat

You yelled at him. Mission accomplished.

fietsbob

cost of opportunity, you need a job, so you live there.

TakingMyTime

At one point in our weekly ride my wife and I need to turn left across oncoming riders and other riders gaining on us in order to leave the path and transition on to the street. It is basically a hair-pin turn so we are usually reducing our speed at the same time. My wife is not as confident on a bike as I am so she usually wants to make sure she has enough elbow room in order to make this turn. Many times there will be a large group of much more experienced riders coming up fast behind us and she had the tendency to tense up. We now have a routine where I will let her go in front of me and as I drop back I make sure that my arm is sticking straight out and I'll slowly but ever so slightly move towards the center of the path in order to discourage people behind us from trying to pass us as we slow down for the turn. I've found that although I may be slowing down a more "professional" group of riders that they respect that a clear signal was given with more than enough time to negotiate the slow down.

HerrKaLeun

Based on what you said, he is in the right. The same holds for cars... whoever makes a left turn has to make sure the road is clear. You didn't use mirrors or look back. Signalling alone isn't a magic wand to clear the path for you.
when you drive a car on the right lan and want to move over to the left, you also have to make sure there is room. Your blinker is no legal requirement for cars on the left lane to yield to you.

That guy who passed you should for self-interest announced himself, or slowed down, but there was no legal obligation. It was your turn to yield.

DanBraden

I get what you're saying, but I stopped signaling to ask for permission long ago. When I signal it's an expression of intent. I intend to merge, don't be a dick.

John_V 

I ride daily, in Flatwoods Park, where several long distance world records were broken. It's a nicely paved, seven mile, one way, fairly wide, oval shaped path with no cross streets, no speed limit and no motorized traffic (other than the park rangers and authorized vehicles). It's the training site for the USF Cycling Team and countless triathletes in the area. Tour Fever at Flatwoods is a year around event. You just have to learn to get over what other riders do or don't do while you are riding on the same path as they are. I have learned that calling out to them for something did/didn't do isn't going to make them change any.

Joe Bikerider

TimothyH

It was yesterday. Let it go. You said something to the guy. That's enough. There are 8,657 things more important today.

Ten years ago I decided not to get upset over things I have no control over - easy to say but difficult in practice. How people ride their bikes or pass others is not within my control. I worry about how I ride because that is something I can control.

Kudos for having the presence of mind to realize he was there before it turned bad. My peripheral vision isn't what it used to be.


-Tim-

spinnaker

People are jerks. That is why you and only you are responsible for your safety. Never assume you have right of way.

HerrKaLeun

I was driving 80 miles today. Probably 100 such situations where someone didn't use blinker, or just cut me off and i had to use the brakes etc. i may have done some wrongs things too.
Somehow car drivers seem more relaxed and don't go to the internet to complain about every single instance.

Humpy

Seems pretty rude of you not to answer his question.

Dudelsack 

Next time, give him THE LOOK.

Hypno Toad

+1

Always check behind you before making a maneuver. As a fast rider, I rarely get passed, but I still check all the time. A defensive rider is aware of their surroundings at all times.

There many people that feel the bike trails are their private closed course, they are paththletes (AKA jerks).

Edit/afterthought - this issue has nothing to do with TdF, just like the Indianapolis 500 doesn't cause people to speed on the highway.

Skipjacks

I don't use a mirror (helmet or handlebar mounted) for this very reason.

It forces me to whip my head around and physically look. There is no replacement for looking. None. Not on a bike. Not in a car. If you're going to make a turn, look where you are going before changing your course.

That said, Speedy McClosePass mentioned in the OP is still a moron. But turning your head to look where you are going is basic Moron Defense.

Skipjacks

Pathletes!!

HAHAHAHA

I'm stealing that.

Hypno Toad

I wish I could claim credit for this term ... but I stole it too!

Milton Keynes

I always use my mirrors so I don't have to turn my head. It's hard for me to keep a straight line if I'm turning my head to look behind me. Plus, I have a wide enough field of view in the mirror I can see everything behind me, and all I have to do is turn my head back & forth slightly to see beyond the mirror's field of view.