Common Courtesy

[karlukkid]

What happens to some peoples common courtesy when the get on a bicycle? I walk every day on many trails here and many times the cyclists are courteous. If I see one or hear one I always step to the side, but every second or third day I have a less than happy interaction. Today was one of those days. An individual passed by me from behind on the trail on his bike at a high rate of speed with no warning, and then cut in front of me. I was startled. I suggested that it would be nice if he would have warned me before he passed. The reply was "I went around you", like that was more than what would generally be expected of a cyclist in this situation. Of course the conversation degenerated into expletives (I assume full responsibility for initiating the profanity) Where he passed me I would have been visible for over at least one hundred and fifty yards, no trees i.e clear trail. Instead he viewed me as a slalom gate where he could demonstrate his skill at high speed passing of a pedestrian. Fifteen yards behind me he could have signaled his intent to pass on my right , or rang a bell etc, but no once on a bike some folks lose complete sense of courtesy and in fact feel obligated to fight for their right to ride and stand up against their oppression as a cyclist. Many of these trails were made by hikers, walkers and horsemen long before the popularity of mountain biking. (I have never had a negative interaction with a horsemen on a trail) Ironically, off his bicycle he and I probably would get along just fine. How about a bell for your bike? Just a thought. Bruce Herron Wolf Creek

[Redwood]

Totally agree about the courtesy. As a hiker, biker, and horseback rider, I find this behavior startling. I get the joy of a flowy ride through the forest. It's awesome! And slowing down for every hiker can be a buzz kill, for lack of a better word, but it's unsafe. If you don't want to encounter many people, this valley is great for finding a remote forest service road where you can go for miles uninterrupted.

Zooming by people is also dangerous for the biker - and if you run up on a horse like that silently and fast on a bike, you could severely scare the horse and end up injured or dead - as could horse and rider. One can also consider trauma survivors and how a bike running behind you unexpectedly could really rock someone's entire day.

I am also grateful that most people in the valley are great. I had two really positive experiences recently with bikers when I was on horseback and walking. Both times the biker slowed down, verbally identified themselves, and then only passed (slowly) once I had acknowledged them. Especially on horseback, this is absolutely the way to do it and it makes the experience better for everyone involved two and four legged alike. :) Stay safe out there!

Lauren Satterfield

[Reapward]

I believe, where there is single track riding and multi use, it is: horses have right of way, then walkers, then bikes. Always stop for horses. Stop for people unless they are aware of you and have already stepped off the trail, which is quite nice of them. When approaching walkers from behind, slow down, make your presence known by saying something like, excuse me, on your left (or right) or passing. Or if the trail is narrow, is it really too hard for a biker to stop and let them pass?
I bike and hike and have been taught how to be around horses.
Courtesy for each other makes for a better life.

[Slade]

15 years ago in Renton a biker killed an 83 year old woman with behavior such as you describe.

https://www.rentonreporter.com/news/elderly-renton-woman-hit-by-bike-rider-on-cedar-river-trail-identified/

I used to walk that trail, which is paved, and more than once was startled by a biker whizzing by from behind. I think one of the results of the accident was a reduction in the allowed speed to 10 mph.

Bob

[SteveNewman]

Roles Reversed Dept: Couple of weeks ago on a Saturday coming back to Lost River (Motto: Where The Only Law Is Fang And Claw") from the store I came up a rise and around a curve to find 4 obviously non-local cyclists riding abreast going same direction as myself. Even with me going below speed limit it was hazardous. They refused to collapse and shoulder and made it purposefully, deliberately difficult to squeeze around them. Of course I reacted with the grace, civility and understanding of a drunken hemorrhoidal sailor. Not the first time - by a long shot - something similar has happened on Lost River/Goat Creek. As always the case, 90% of pedalers are respectful, common courtesy practicing normals but the privileged 10% .........OK, I understand that certain west side vacationing bicyclists are my moral betters for saving Mother Gaia from us Subaru driving planet polluters but surely they can momentarily grant us poor local schmucks a little go-around space.