43
votes
Polite way to ride in the dark
There are now many bike lights on the market which have a shaped beam with a "horizontal cutoff" giving strong light onto the road or path, but much less above the horizon. When adjusted ...
- 6,747
39
votes
Accepted
Polite way to ride in the dark
Consider how you feel when a fellow cyclist approaches you will full beam straight ahead. It's pretty blinding, even for a moment, and especially off-road when your eyes aren't used to it.
So in a ...
- 514
18
votes
Accepted
Group ride - Proper descent etiquette
Summary
If the description above is accurate, Rider A operated their bicycle correctly, and gave enough clearance to riders still in the paceline.
Remembering that we weren't there in person, there ...
- 35.2k
17
votes
What are the possible practical consequences of breaking the rules of the road?
The consequences for you as an individual are perhaps not as important as the broader ramifications of your behaviour.
By behaving as if you think that the local rules of the road don't apply to you,...
- 1,205
12
votes
Group ride - Proper descent etiquette
Apologies, this answer is somewhat at a tangent (Weiwen Ng already gave a great answer).
Irrespective of who is technically right or wrong from an etiquette standpoint, Rider B can resolve this in ...
- 18.4k
10
votes
Polite way to ride in the dark
I had to face exactly this on an old commute. Dipping the front light was absolutely necessary in a park and another stretch of unlit bike path. It was a bright enough light to illuminate the road, ...
- 61.2k
9
votes
Polite way to ride in the dark
In case you can read German, here's a nice explanation how to adjust the bike front light.
Summary:
put bike 5m from a wall
measure distance (height) of the light from the street
make sure that the ...
- 1,324
9
votes
Group ride - Proper descent etiquette
Riding with others is very much a Trust-Fall exercise. If anyone doesn't gel with your group, it can cause issues with the dynamic and that can grow into full-on accidents.
Sometimes it's best to set ...
- 129k
9
votes
Accepted
Etiquette (and common sense) rules for MTB cyclists
This depends heavily on geography and individual trail systems. For example, in US National Forests, cyclists yield to hikers and equestrians, hikers only yield to equestrians, and uphill traffic has ...
- 4,552
8
votes
Polite way to ride in the dark
You can dip the light slightly (point it towards the ground). Even without considering politeness, you might prefer to illuminate the ground ahead of you, instead of (as you would on a lit city street)...
- 12.2k
7
votes
What are the possible practical consequences of breaking the rules of the road?
This is highly dependent on where you are. Generally, in the US, if you're on the road, you're subject to the standard vehicle regulations in the area (e.g. what applies to cars) you are in (with some ...
- 46.4k
6
votes
Right of way for a raised crossing?
The vehicular and cycle traffic has priority, since the crossing is not a zebra crossing and there are no traffic lights, which are the only situations in which the Highway Code talks about ...
- 17k
6
votes
Accepted
How to "fit in" a cycling bunch?
I've heard once: if a person offers you a gift and you don't accept it - it remains the property of the other person. And it's the same with criticism. And thus, if you engage yourself into a ...
- 4,361
6
votes
How to "fit in" a cycling bunch?
This is almost a question for https://interpersonal.stackexchange.com/.
Any group of people has a spectrum of attitudes and social skills. Just ignore and don't engage with anyone in the group that ...
- 75.9k
5
votes
Accepted
Other commuters riding too close
Just wave him past, that's what I do. I don't draft and I'm not interested in someone drafting off me. Nor am I particularly interested in being polite to someone who is interfering with my ride or ...
- 1,658
5
votes
Safely overtaking pedestrians
As a pedestrian who faces this issue repeatedly, I can tell you that most cyclists ten to yell at the last second which causes a fear response rather than a thoughtful reaction. When I hear a bell, a ...
- 51
5
votes
Right of way for a raised crossing?
According to the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 (TSRGD) and Highway Code pedestrians only have priority at zebra and parallel crossings (which include stripes flashing orange ...
- 51
5
votes
How to "fit in" a cycling bunch?
Change the riding style. Either go to the mountain biking or touring/endurance riding.
The Rules do not apply to them: to MTB — because it originated from different historical background; to touring —...
- 14.3k
4
votes
Safely overtaking pedestrians
I personally think "on your left/right" is confusing to a lot of people who are just walking there thinking their thoughts. Also where I live there's quite a lot of foreigners (myself ...
- 301
4
votes
Safely overtaking pedestrians
Use the 3-seconds rule
When you signal to a pedestrian, you need to have some time left for the reaction to take place:
1s for the pedestrians to hear you. To identify that the sound came from a bike....
4
votes
What are some good tips for riding in a large group?
If the reported group speed is correct, this is an advanced group ride. My interpretation is that the OP is a relatively new cyclist.
I would actually advise new cyclists not to join an advanced ride ...
- 35.2k
3
votes
Safely overtaking pedestrians
I ride through pathways with pedestrians fast and silent.
It might seem dangerous but in fact it is safer.
Basically you don't give any time for pedestrians to react. When they passed it is all done.
...
- 256
3
votes
Other commuters riding too close
If it is the same person day after day just talk to them. If it was me then I'd say
"Hi, I've noticed you follow me quite closely most days. I'm sure
that you are a pretty good bike handler but ...
- 227
3
votes
Is it considered rude to draft other random cyclists?
It's not only rude, it can be very dangerous if you don't make sure they know you are there.
I remember once hearing quite a loud angry yell and crash behind me when I actually stopped for a stop sign....
- 647
3
votes
Safely overtaking pedestrians
What is your preferred method of warning pedestrians when you are overtaking them?
I have given up warning pedestrians if the group of pedestrian has a gap where I can safely ride my bike through. My ...
- 20.5k
3
votes
Safely overtaking pedestrians
Get a Hope hub for your rear wheel. They're super loud! I stop pedalling and it alerts people walking that I'm there and want to pass.
- 31
3
votes
What are the possible practical consequences of breaking the rules of the road?
In my area there are several possible consequences. Financial fines are most obvious, for minor law infringement. For serious offences, especially drunk driving, one, when caught, will be taken to ...
- 2,741
3
votes
Etiquette (and common sense) rules for MTB cyclists
It's mostly common sense and not being selfish:
Don't litter—if you brought it in, carry it back out.
Avoid damaging the trail—if it's wet and waterlogged then ride another day. This avoids forming ...
- 129k
2
votes
Safely overtaking pedestrians
The first and most important thing is to ride according to the prevailing conditions. I might cruise along in upper-6th gear on the open road, but switch down to middle-5th (about 2/3rds the gear ...
- 163
2
votes
Leaving lock on the parking rack - is this rude?
The polite thing for the lock owner to do would be to "store" the lock in a place in the rack (eg; at the base) where it's not in anyone's way.
If it's stored in an inobtrusive place or manner,then ...
- 21
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible