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@Jasper, bikers ringing before overtaking other bikers:
1) the MBT is not heavily used. Mostly I'm by myself and expecting to be mostly by myself/with lots of space between users, just like everyone else biking there. If I know someone is behind me I am more cautious b/c I am aware.
An audible sounds makes nothing safer
If I hear it it does. it gives me information about my surroundings and causes me to be ready to respond appropriately, i.e. by not moving left at that very moment/maintaining my course. At the very least it prevents me from being startled when the biker zooms into my peripheral vision at very close proximity.
2) Two, the biker behind you should have anticipated you passing the pedestrian. He came from behind, and should have slowed down. I agree. However if he'd "binged"* I would not have gone around the ped in the left lane at that moment. i would have waited for him to pass me. However i think being courteous, slowing down and/or communicating, is not part of this individuals' character, so neither was/is going to be elicited from this particular a-hole.

*(and I heard it - I grant you that there is no guarantee the person you are passing will hear your warning, whether ped or other biker- but then if there is no indication that you successfully communicated, the responsibility for safe passing is completely on the passer. If the person being passed acknowledges the warning it turns into a partnership)

by Tina on Jun 12, 2012 1:01 pm • link • report