Forums/

General Cycling

Natalie M.
Natalie M. Sendmail

Alerting Runners/etc When Passing...

posted 7 months ago | Report

I'm a runner. Went out for a run yesterday. Out of the 50+ people that passed me on bicycles in one way or another (and some were just out for leisure), only one called out with, "On your left." Several chose to cut it pretty close while passing me, despite having a very wide trail and no passing traffic.

I have to constantly look over my shoulder to see whether or not someone is headed straight towards me. And when there's enough traffic on the trail, I do politely run in the grass for a few steps to let those on bicycles pass (I don't know much about cycling, but I assume very thin tires on grass is sort of dangerous when flying down a trail, so I take the grass instead).

Please alert runners when passing. And if there's enough room, please pass them wide--several feet if there's no traffic. This runner is happy to share the trail and training space, but doesn't like worrying about being hit, clipped by someone's handlebars, or snuck up on...

Respond

5 posts

scroll to bottom
  • Kari E.
    Kari E. Sendmail

    Thank you Natalie! That is one of my biggest peeves when I'm running. It's for everyone's safety - sometimes rollerbladers/cyclist/other runners are so quiet coming up behind me that if I happen to swerve at all (to miss a branch, puddle, etc) I have almost taken people out or been taken out. I try to look over my shoulder before I move over, but they are generally moving much faster than I am - and like you said, sometimes they cut it darn close! Our family bicycles a lot as well and we have taught our kids to always alert other people using our trails before passing.

    posted 7 months ago

  • Cory S.
    Cory S. Sendmail

    I don't run with headphones for that reason. I want to be able to hear them coming because like you mentioned, no one says anything or even dings their bell! I stay on my side of the trails here in San Antonio, but I swear one of these days when someone gets close to me or bumps into me, I'm going to knock them down and run away :]

    posted 7 months ago

  • Riaan
    Riaan Sendmail

    Will do!

    posted 7 months ago

  • Pam J.
    Pam J. Sendmail

    Natalie, I always announce that I am passing. Nothing worse than scaring someone right into you while riding. The only problem is most of the time the runners have the ear buds in & don't hear me even when I yell "on your left" to them. At least I try :-)

    posted 7 months ago

  • Bo A.PRO
    Bo A. Sendmail

    Being one who both rides and runs... I understand this problem pretty well. I've been surprised by riders while running and I've passed many runners when riding. I generally call out whenever I have to pass but do notice that a significant number of riders don't.

    Now, that all said... from the saddle side of the conversation I've also found a significant number of runners/walker who seem pretty oblivious to other users of the trails. I've either spooked them when I called out or they've just not acknowledged my call and then gotten suddenly surprised when I passed.

    So, this is a bit of a two-way street... and a lesson I've learned from both sides... Riders net to communicate and the runners/walkers need to be present enough to hear the calls.

    posted 7 months ago

Similar Discussions in Cycling - General Cycling