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Bike Etiquette

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  • March 19, 2015 at 6:23 pm #23547
    Colin Peyresourde

    I was cycling around the Olympic Park Road track a few months back when I realised that I had picked up a wheel sucker. I had passed him a little while back, and I gave him the benefit of the doubt by continuing to ride and allow him to either pass me, or to introduce himself. A lap and a half later and he was still stuck to my wheel. I quickly veered over to one side and soft-pedalled so he would get the idea. After passing me, I passed him again less than have a lap later. Poor etiquette on his behalf for sure.

    Wheel sucking is one of the clearer bits of bike etiquette that is poor form, but it made me think what other bits of general road usage could you enshrine in a codicil for road use. I realise that the Velominati have attempted to do this, but also know that many vehemently dislike these. So I thought I would throw this open for discussion: What would you like to see as a standard for cyclists? Or do you think that there are no ‘golden rules’ of cycling? Any one ‘the Rules’ you particular like/hate?

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  • March 20, 2015 at 4:03 pm #837899
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    sanderville

    While commuting in town there
    While commuting in town there have been times when I’ve been stuck behind someone that I caught up with because they were so far out into the cycle lane and traffic was whizzing by too closely for me to overtake safely. I wasn’t wheelsucking but I bet they thought I was. I think slower riders hogging the outside of the cycle lane when they know someone is behind them is poor form.

    March 20, 2015 at 3:46 pm #837897
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    evo-playa

    People playing leapfrog in
    People playing leapfrog in traffic really gets on my wick. After passing people on the commute, and slowing to a stop for the red light, they decided to blast through said light, necessitating a re-pass further down the road. All this prior to reaching the next red light where the process repeats itself.

    Or when upon reaching the red light the person you just dusted past like they were going backwards decides that they must be at the front of the queue of cyclists at the signal, and mounts the pavement / barges past to get to the front. Then spends an age wobbling across the juction trying to clip in, whilst everyone else gets caugt up behind them.

    If I get passed by someone I don’t leapfrog them at the lights, as they are probably going to end up having to pass me again. Its not cricket!!!

    March 20, 2015 at 3:13 pm #837895
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    arfa

    Where’s Judge Dreadful to
    Where’s Judge Dreadful to share his views on this one 😉 ?
    Seriously, how did the wheel sucking arise ? Did you pass someone and not greet them ? In which case, perhaps be a little more friendly.
    my own pet peeve is when a big group overtakes you and eases off the wattage, especially if I am on a solo ride trying to put the work in. I’ll usually greet and ask them what their usual pace is and take a view as to dropping off the back or pushing ahead

    March 20, 2015 at 3:10 pm #837893
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    OldRidgeback

    twowheeltoys wrote:Paul_C

    twowheeltoys wrote:
    Paul_C wrote:
    The only time I’ve been wheelsucked on my folding e-bike was with a nasty headwind and I ended up with some 10 people in a line behind me enjoying the tow…

    Only work about 3 miles from home, so often just use a bmx to commute, I could not believe the couple of times roadies have used me for a tow on the short hill of my journey. 20″ v 700c – enough advantage already given. (yeah, I know every ride is not a race but I will take an (unfit) roadie scalp this summer!).

    Yep, I commute on my 20 as well and I do get a buzz out of hauling past roadies on one of the climbs on my route, though I can’t keep up on the flat as I’ve no gears of course.

    I’ve had problems with wheelsuckers, but on my MTB usually though. It’s really stupid to do it on a busy London road, particularly if the person has no idea initially there’s someone close behind. On a club ride between consenting adults (ha) it’s a different matter. But on the occasions I’ve picked up wheelsuckers while commuting, I’ve made it pretty clear (and in no uncertain terms) that I won’t give anyone a tow. Put simply, it’s really dangerous on a busy road and I will not have anyone put me in danger because they’re too bloody lazy to pedal themselves.

    Try it with me without asking and you’ll get an earful.

    March 20, 2015 at 2:57 pm #837891
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    allanj

    hmm, I’m not sure what’s
    hmm, I’m not sure what’s worse- silent sucking, or being asked “I hope you don’t mind giving me a wee ride”. Which didn’t sound right at the time, and still doesn’t.

    And I did- into a stiff headwind up a long drag when the overtook me and headed off for the last third of the climb, I really did mind! Got him on the descent though

    March 20, 2015 at 2:37 pm #837889
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    twowheeltoys

    Paul_C wrote:The only time

    Paul_C wrote:
    The only time I’ve been wheelsucked on my folding e-bike was with a nasty headwind and I ended up with some 10 people in a line behind me enjoying the tow…

    Only work about 3 miles from home, so often just use a bmx to commute, I could not believe the couple of times roadies have used me for a tow on the short hill of my journey. 20″ v 700c – enough advantage already given. (yeah, I know every ride is not a race but I will take an (unfit) roadie scalp this summer!).

    March 20, 2015 at 2:36 pm #837887
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    thesaladdays

    Jeroen0110 wrote:thesaladdays

    Jeroen0110 wrote:
    thesaladdays wrote:
    Jeroen0110 wrote:
    flashing lights? really??

    High-lumen flashing/strobing front lights coming at you are awful and can have a momentary blinding effect, not what you want to do to anyone going in the opposite direction.

    Rear red lights with lower strength on flash (or pulse, even better) are fine.

    ahhh but if I have blinded you means you have seen me, therefore I am safe B-)

    But since I’m blinded and no longer see you I may end up steering into you (or off the road) unintentionally as I’ve lost my spatial awareness, then you’re no longer safe 🙁

    March 20, 2015 at 2:28 pm #837885
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    Matt eaton

    Wheelsucking, without any
    Wheelsucking, without any kind of communication, is very poor form in this context (i.e. non racing). The guy should have at least said hello and asked if you minded him hanging on.

    To benefit from a draft you really need to be quite close to the rider in front of you. Purely from a safety perspective you need to be sure that both riders are comfortable with this and feel confident in their own abilities. Don’t assume that because someone has a decent bike they have chain-gang experience.

    I don’t necessarily see the need to ask someone to do their turn on the front. If I’m riding with someone who isn’t as strong as me I’m happy to give them a draft for the whole ride.

    March 20, 2015 at 2:16 pm #837883
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    Jeroen0110

    thesaladdays wrote:Jeroen0110

    thesaladdays wrote:
    Jeroen0110 wrote:
    flashing lights? really??

    High-lumen flashing/strobing front lights coming at you are awful and can have a momentary blinding effect, not what you want to do to anyone going in the opposite direction.

    Rear red lights with lower strength on flash (or pulse, even better) are fine.

    ahhh but if I have blinded you means you have seen me, therefore I am safe B-)

    March 20, 2015 at 2:09 pm #837881
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    oozaveared

    “Poor form” have we bocome a
    “Poor form” have we bocome a golf club? No it’s not bad cycling etiquette. It’s just a bit rude to not say hi to people on the same bit of road. But did you say hi to him? but the wheelsucking – who cares? I am old school having joined a club in 1973. And so when you met a cyclist on a decent bike you could be pretty sure they were in a club as well and they shared some of this etiquette. Nowadays with the boom in cycling there are people out riding decent bikes with all the gear that don’t even know there are cycling clubs. Must have been like this when working class people could afford green fees at the links. Lots of old duffers finding a lack of etiquette from the hoi poloi, I have to say I learned some club etiquette as a boy in the 70s from a bloke who ran our club runs who probably learned it in the 1930s when AA men saluted their members so it’s getting a bit frayed round the edges these days.

    You appear to be the better more experienced cyclist. Why didn’t you take the reins and start a chat and maybe point out the quid pro quo etiquette? He might have appreciated it.

    March 20, 2015 at 2:09 pm #837879
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    thesaladdays

    Jeroen0110 wrote:flashing

    Jeroen0110 wrote:
    flashing lights? really??

    High-lumen flashing/strobing front lights coming at you are awful and can have a momentary blinding effect, not what you want to do to anyone going in the opposite direction.

    Rear red lights with lower strength on flash (or pulse, even better) are fine.

    March 20, 2015 at 1:27 pm #837877
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    Jeroen0110

    flashing lights? really??
    flashing lights? really??

    March 20, 2015 at 1:13 pm #837875
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    rjfrussell

    andyp wrote:wheelsucking

    andyp wrote:
    wheelsucking would be fine if everyone knew how to do it properly. Unfortunately you get the odd numpty who has no idea what to do other than ‘ride close'

    How do you do it properly?

    March 20, 2015 at 1:04 pm #837873
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    jmaccelari

    I have no problem with people
    I have no problem with people wheelsucking me and I have no problems with wheelsucking anyone else. I do say thanks if it’s a good one, though. The road is free… We are not yet living in a cycling dictatorship where the people with egos can tell the rest where and where not to ride. Cycling is already too full of people who think they know better.

    March 20, 2015 at 12:58 pm #837871
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    southseabythesea

    The only aspect that would
    The only aspect that would bother me is if they were a competent rider, will they clip my back wheel or not.

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