Skip to main content

Avoid Conflicts by Following These Simple Bike and Bike Path Etiquette Rules

Bike and Bike Path Etiquette Rules

Everyday Manners for the Bike Path

As the weather warms, more people hit the bike paths, which is a wonderful thing.  Wonderful, unless these cyclists do not know or do not care about common courtesy and basic bike-path etiquette.   

Case in point, just yesterday as I was riding my trusty red three-wheel cycle down the bike path, a man whizzed past me without warning.  Startled and perturbed, but not injured, I just muttered to myself that at his age he should know better.   As I was muttering from that encounter, a woman pulled onto the path from a side street nearly knocking me down.  She flashed me a smile and peddled away.  I, on the other hand, was not smiling.  My heart pounded so loudly the squirrels were alarmed.   

These two instances were minor infractions, but still frightening and could have resulted in injury--mine.  Therefore, before I or anyone else requires a brand-new pink cast, it is best to review some bike-path etiquette rules.   

Yell it or bell it! 

Given the very simple solution, it is amazing that so many cyclists insist on terrorizing others on the bike path.  After all, it is frightening to have someone flash by us when we do not expect it. This is especially true for the elderly or infirm, as they often feel threatened by fast-moving riders.   

Thus, when passing anyone, whether it is another cyclist or pedestrian, we need to give that person some sort of warning.  If not using a bell, yell out "Passing on your left!"  If passing a large group, elderly, or those with small children, it is best to slow down before passing just in case they didn't hear the warning or they wander out in front of us.

Want to chat? Stay off the path!

More often than I would like, I am forced off the path by a group of chatters.  Although it appears friendly enough, it is frustrating for cyclists to have to stop and wait for conversationalists to scoot out of the way.  Most frustrating are those who refuse to move!  Unfortunately, this is often the case.  Since my trike is much heavier than the typical bicycle, riding it off the path onto the grass is not possible.  I am forced to stop and walk my trike around the oblivious crowd, which makes my usual cheery "Good morning!" I shout to everyone a bit difficult to deliver. 

Chatty pedestrians are not the only road blockers.  Other cyclists are equally guilty.  Some will ride side-by-side using the entire width of the bike path without regard to others who wish to share the public space.   

To block a public path is viewed as dismissive, impolite behavior.  So, when the need to converse arises, step off the path.   

Runners, you do not own the path.

Running, especially running in organized groups, is extremely popular here in my hometown of Davis, CA.  It is refreshing to see scores of people of all ages enjoying this healthful sport.  What is not refreshing is to be forced off the path by a pack of tights-wearing running enthusiasts.  Many of these groups are quite large and very chatty.  Consequently, when passing from behind, I must yell multiple warnings of my slowly passing wide load (trikes are wide) for all to hear me.   

Therefore, runners, mind your manners.  Do not take up the entire width of the path and designate one person to announce a passing cyclist.   

Obey the leash laws.

I love dogs, always have.  Because of this love, it would break my heart to hurt a wandering furry one with my heavy trike.  It would not make my day to be bitten by one either.  Our town, like most, has a leash law to help prevent situations like this.  However, many do not feel the law pertains to them.  After all, his or her dog is special and would never hurt anyone else: very well-mannered.  Even so, why take the chance?  It is best to obey the law.  It is safer for your dog and all who encounter your dog.  Use the leash.  

Be nice.

A bike path is a shared space.  It is a place of enjoyment for walkers, runners, cyclists, birders...everyone.  If we can all remember that a smile is warmer than a frown, a kind word is softer than a critical remark, and sharing is sweeter than hoarding, perhaps we can enjoy this shared space even more.   Treat all on the path as if they are your friends.  Who knows?  Some just may be one day. 

Please Read

How Children Are Teaching Their Parents Manners

How to Meddle

Beware Sharing Too Much & Hurting Others on Social Networking Sites  

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Etiquette 101: How-to Host an Adult Birthday Party That Will Please Your Guests

  Birthday Party Etiquette Hosting an adult birthday party can be tricky since many don't realize it isn't a gift-giving event.  If gifts are expected, the birthday baby could appear greedy.  Imagine an adult birthday party resembling a child's party focusing on gifts--very silly, indeed.  On the positive side, because gifts are not the focus, it opens up the possibility of hosting our own.  This is a plus for those of us who view our friends as the best birthday present.   Now we can have our cake and eat it too! To assist us with hosting a party that will be viewed as positive and polite, here's a bit of birthday party etiquette Q & A. Dear Polite One, I invited 30 people (15 couples) to a birthday party I'm hosting for a 45-year-old male.  I designed the invitations to look like a ticket stub, which includes a door prize stub.  My question is this: What are appropriate door prizes? What should be the minimum and maximum cost of a door prize? How man

Is Using a Coupon on a Date Appropriate? First Date?

  Good Idea Or Not?    With the state of the economy, coupon clipping is becoming a national sport.  It seems a natural evolution due to our need to purchase items we want at the lowest price point possible.   This need is evident by the rapid popularity of coupons-for-everything websites like  Groupon .  Since coupon usage seems commonplace, using a coupon to pay for dinner appears a smart move.  However, it just may not be such a great idea when it applies to  the date .    Frankly, using a coupon while on a date is not an etiquette faux pas.  Logically, a coupon or gift certificate is as good as cash.  Nevertheless, as we all know, perception is everything.  Moreover, on a first date, and even the first few dates, both parties are sizing each other up.  Who is this person? What are his/her quirks?  Do I even like his/her appearance?   With all of this evaluating humming in the background, it is best to consider the perception of how everything we do. It may be best to get to

Etiquette 101: Top Three Gum Chewing No-No’s

Smacking, Popping, Nauseating Behavior …Oh My! Gum chewing has been around for decades and for the most part, it’s inoffensive.   However, there are those times when gum chewing, especially smacking, is frowned upon.   Sometimes – strangely enough – it can even affect our future and how others view us.    Read on to learn how.   Not at a wedding! The wedding march begins as the bride walks the procession.   Ah, the lovely bride in her flowing gown smiling at her soon-to-be spouse.    All in the crowd stand as she floats down the aisle.   At once, her expression changes, she stops, as her guests’ heads turn toward alien sounds coming from the front row.    Smack, pop…yep, it’s the sounds of the ill-mannered gum chewer.    Unfortunately, this scene is playing out every day somewhere in our lovely US of A.    Why is this of importance?   The simple answer is that the gum chewer’s smacking and popping distract from the very reason guests are attending the event.   It is disrespect