Gentle morning commute... Grrr

beerwolf

Zebee Johnstone <zebeej@gmail.com> wrote in
news:slrnfrath7.26g.zebeej@gmail.com:

> In aus.bicycle on Fri, 15 Feb 2008 21:26:59 +1100
> Aeek <aeeeeeek@tpg.com.au> wrote:
>> On Fri, 15 Feb 2008 21:09:25 +1100, ritcho
>><ritcho.34thiz@no-mx.forums.cyclingforums.com> wrote:
>>
>>>.. which is why I prefer to slow, but remain silent when passing
>>>people on shared paths. If they're in front of me, it's my
>>>responsibility to miss them.
>>
>> I say "Good Morning!" as I do that (in the morning).
>> Defuses any agro about not ringing my bell.
>
> I gave up on voice because so few people thought it was directed at
> them. Whereas most peds on a path can make the bell-bicycle-move
> connection.
>
> I ring reasonably early and watch for which way they move. Had 2 the
> other day who went one to each side, so I slowed right down to ride
> between them. Mostly they'll move one side or the other. If they are
> already off to one side, I'll go as far as I can to the other side.

I do any or all of the things mentioned so far, depending on time of
day, location and my assessment of the peds' activities and body
language as I approach. Bell and voice are useless if the ped is wearing
earphones, but the very worst ones are those who are having an argument
with somebody on the other end of a mobile. They can jump all over the
place without regard for anything coming up behind.

I note that signs have recently gone up on Pyrmont Bridge, restricting
the south side to pedestrians only. That is a good idea. Now if only
they would paint a nice big green strip down the other side, with little
white bicycles painted at frequent intervals.

--
beerwolf

Aeek

On 15 Feb 2008 11:23:19 GMT, Zebee Johnstone <zebeej@gmail.com> wrote:

>In aus.bicycle on Fri, 15 Feb 2008 21:26:59 +1100
>Aeek <aeeeeeek@tpg.com.au> wrote:

>>
>> I say "Good Morning!" as I do that (in the morning).
>> Defuses any agro about not ringing my bell.
>
>I gave up on voice because so few people thought it was directed at
>them. Whereas most peds on a path can make the bell-bicycle-move
>connection.

My voice is too late to affect them, just being "friendly".
I bell sometimes, and sometimes I have a bell.

Patrick Keogh

Aeek wrote:
> On 15 Feb 2008 11:23:19 GMT, Zebee Johnstone <zebeej@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> In aus.bicycle on Fri, 15 Feb 2008 21:26:59 +1100
>> Aeek <aeeeeeek@tpg.com.au> wrote:
>
>>> I say "Good Morning!" as I do that (in the morning).
>>> Defuses any agro about not ringing my bell.
>> I gave up on voice because so few people thought it was directed at
>> them. Whereas most peds on a path can make the bell-bicycle-move
>> connection.
>
> My voice is too late to affect them, just being "friendly".
> I bell sometimes, and sometimes I have a bell.
My experience is mostly based on Canberra's mixed use recreation paths -
note that they are not cycle paths despite the white line down the middle.

My voice is big enough to be effective, and seems to produce a more
predictable outcome than any bell, buzzer or horn. I call "bike behind"
in a sonorous voice and they mostly do the right thing.

Most predictable - single joggers.
Least preductable - groups of four talking and strolling.
Most dangerous - two people with three dogs.

Peter Cremasco

beerwolf wrote:
> Zebee Johnstone <zebeej@gmail.com> wrote in
>
>> I ring reasonably early and watch for which way they move. Had 2 the
>> other day who went one to each side, so I slowed right down to ride
>> between them. Mostly they'll move one side or the other. If they are
>> already off to one side, I'll go as far as I can to the other side.
>
> I do any or all of the things mentioned so far, depending on time of
> day, location and my assessment of the peds' activities and body
> language as I approach. Bell and voice are useless if the ped is wearing
> earphones, but the very worst ones are those who are having an argument
> with somebody on the other end of a mobile. They can jump all over the
> place without regard for anything coming up behind.

The best (worse?) I've come across was the bloke who, as I approached
from the rear with a "excuse me, coming through on the right", told his
girlfriend who was walking side-by-side with him to "stay where you are
- don't get off the path".

Which is one reason why I really do prefer mixing it with traffic on the
road, rather than shared lanes.