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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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Viewing 15 replies - 31 through 45 (of 52 total)
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  • March 20, 2015 at 12:25 pm #837869
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    Paul_C

    The only time I’ve been
    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…

    Mildly amusing with me sat upright with flat bars and everybody else tucked right down behind me…

    Bit like a Keirin… http://www.keirin.cc/wp-content/gallery/keirin-images/keirin1.jpg

    March 20, 2015 at 12:11 pm #837867
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    Stef Marazzi

    If I get wheelsucked, I just
    If I get wheelsucked, I just ask at the next convienient slowing down point, if they’d like a turn on the front and want to alternate – e.g. “Hiya, fancy a turn on the front and drafting each other? We will both get to work a bit quicker and less tired!” Never had anyone say they weren’t up for it!

    March 20, 2015 at 11:54 am #837865
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    Jimbomitch

    I’m too slow for anyone to
    I’m too slow for anyone to wheelsuck me, although surely a loud fart should solve the unwanted sucker situation……..

    +1 for the getting annoyed at being blanked.

    March 20, 2015 at 10:25 am #837863
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    andyp

    wheelsucking would be fine if
    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’

    March 20, 2015 at 10:18 am #837861
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    stenmeister

    Sometimes it’s hard to
    Sometimes it’s hard to acknowledge other cyclists, such as when you are in the town, but I get really pissed off when I am out on quiet country lanes or moor land in Scotland and pass a fellow cyclist and they blank me or even worse, stare at you as if you are the weirdo.

    March 20, 2015 at 9:51 am #837859
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    kwi

    Can’t say I ever had a
    Can’t say I ever had a problem with a wheel sucker, and people normally pass me too fast to hop on, but I am eternally grateful of any offers of wheels, even though I normally have to drop off the back after a short while, always with a cheery thanks so they know I’ve gone.
    Did have a passer stop for a chat for a few miles once, but he was doing a century so probably needed the distraction, didn’t mind too much and I gained a follower on Strava out of it.
    Passing guys going the other way who don’t wave or nod back is one of those things that inexplicably annoys me enough to take a mental note of the club colours in the hopes I meet friendlier specimens later on, though 2 from the same club and they all get tarred with the same brush……

    March 19, 2015 at 10:09 pm #837857
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    felixcat

    Many years ago, I had not
    Many years ago, I had not been cycling long. I knew nothing of cycling culture, clubs or “etiquette”. I just started cycling from place to place across the country, to visit friends or explore our lovely country.
    I was plugging into a head wind with a touring load when a cyclist came past and offered me a wheel to follow. I twigged at once though I had never done this before, and he gave me a nice pull for a few miles. It is extremely unlikely he is reading this, but if you were heading from Otley towards Skipton in the summer of 1981 and offered a wheel to a struggling cyclist, thanks again.

    March 19, 2015 at 9:55 pm #837855
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    Kadinkski

    Oh, and I don’t know why but
    Oh, and I don’t know why but it really annoys me when I nod or say hello to another cyclist and they just blank me. I shouldn’t care, but I do.

    March 19, 2015 at 9:54 pm #837853
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    Kadinkski

    On my commute home the other
    On my commute home the other night some dude in a car was wheel sucking me. We stopped at some traffic lights and I say ‘oi, mate, hows about you take a turn at the front’. He wound his window up and looked at me like I was mad.

    March 19, 2015 at 9:52 pm #837851
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    crikey

    I end up riding with other
    I end up riding with other cyclists a lot, either catching them or them catching me, and have ridden many miles with people who started out complete strangers.

    I’m always a bit wary of solo lady cyclists because, although I would enjoy any company, I’m aware that it can create an uncomfortable situation. Even asking ‘Do you want company?’ or ‘Do you mind if I ride along with you?’ can create the need to say ‘no’, which some folk aren’t comfortable with.

    Middle class angst, it’s a killer…

    March 19, 2015 at 9:48 pm #837849
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    S13SFC

    If I’m out solo and a group
    If I’m out solo and a group ride goes past I always jump on the last wheel and also comment that I’m going to do so for a breather whether I really need it or not.

    If someone jumps on mine having caught me up then I’ll always suggest that they take a turn on the front, if they’ve jumped on as I’ve gone past then I see it as no big deal as they take a breather and also a challenge to get the hammer down and ride them off it.

    I always acknowledge other riders with a raise of the hand or a nod of the head.

    March 19, 2015 at 8:43 pm #837847
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    dotdash

    If they annoy you too much
    If they annoy you too much then you can always crop dust them.

    Just saying like.

    March 19, 2015 at 8:22 pm #837845
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    Quince

    I think the problem with
    I think the problem with wheelsuckers is not the sucking itself but the social awkwardness of someone you don’t know becoming glued to your bottom uninvited. So… if either of the people just say ‘hello’, then most of the issue clear up.

    I had a chap overtake me as I was commuting back from work. I was in trainers and my usual clothes, and he was dressed ‘properly’ for a ride, in more appropriate cycling kit.

    I dropped back a bit at first, but realised that our cruising speeds weren’t actually very different, and quite fancied a tug if one was available, so I simply asked him, “is it alright if I try to hang onto your wheel?”. He said “yes”, and we cruised along together until the next roundabout at which point I thanked him and we parted ways, seemingly amiably.

    Of course, I’ve no idea of his view on the whole thing… he might have thought me a filthy leech in inappropriate clothing, but I don’t think he did, and I was certainly glad of the brief partnership we’d struck up on the road.

    I think etiquette shouldn’t necessarily rule against what can be a beneficial relationship for two riders. But communication is key, as they say.

    March 19, 2015 at 8:17 pm #837843
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    HalfWheeler

    lisa76uk wrote:I’m not sure

    lisa76uk wrote:
    I’m not sure how many women (or men) come across this. I ride solo, but I’ve been pestered by male riders while out riding that seem to think I should be conversing with them. A guy last year wouldn’t leave me alone and followed me, uninvited, for nearly an hour. Seriously. (He was also terribly patronising, I’m a fairly strong female rider, I build my bikes and do all my own maintenance). A bit creepy to be honest.

    Maybe I’m reading too much into it and they’re just being friendly. Maybe not.

    Occasionally people will sit and talk to you for ages, if you want some time on your own it is quite annoying so I can sympathise.

    I’ve only done it once or twice but, if I was in some company I didn’t really care for I would, all of a sudden, make my excuses and take a right or left hand turn and done a slightly different route. Or you could say “I feel my phone buzzing, got to take this call, enjoy your day…” and let them go on.

    Failing that pepper spray in the face works a treat I’ve been told…

    March 19, 2015 at 8:09 pm #837841
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    lisa76uk

    I’m not sure how many women
    I’m not sure how many women (or men) come across this. I ride solo, but I’ve been pestered by male riders while out riding that seem to think I should be conversing with them. A guy last year wouldn’t leave me alone and followed me, uninvited, for nearly an hour. Seriously. (He was also terribly patronising, I’m a fairly strong female rider, I build my bikes and do all my own maintenance). A bit creepy to be honest.

    Maybe I’m reading too much into it and they’re just being friendly. Maybe not.

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