Getting attention

[derrick]

I normally put rear brake on hard and lock up the rear wheel from a little way back, that normally get there attention, i always say thank you when they let me pass, have never had a complaint, just don't do it to close you may startle them and thats not the idea.

 

[Globalti]

How much money do you spend on tyres?

 

[mcshroom]

'Excuse me please' Is my standard on the C2C path, accompanied by slowing down and saying 'thank you' as I pass.

If it's really busy then you usually just have to slow down and pootle along with everyone else though.

 

[wiggydiggy]

................

Best I could come up with was a polite cough or frequent changing of gear, 'clickity click.'

Asking to be let through seemed rude, so I thought I would have a look through here for advice on etiquette.

...........

Ding Ding on the bell and a thank you as you pass is the way forward, dont be afraid to ask to get by either....

 

[Mad at urage]

I rarely use shared paths, on the road coming up behind people on horses I just say good morning/afternoon to let them know I'm there. On the rare occasion I'm on a shared path, I occasionally use Stratford greenway, I just come down to walking pace till I can slip past.

These

It's a shared path, so let them relax and cast cares aside. You're out to enjoy the scenery too. If not, might as well use the road.


Imagine yourself in their position. How would you like a cyclist to attract your attention and pass you?

Very much this!

If you are on a shared use path then you need to take it nice and slow, be prepared to stop and don't pressure people in front of you. If they are unaware of your presence then a softly toned excuse me or bicycle back will grab their attention in a pleasant way.
As you pass don't forget to say thank you and maybe add in a nice day today.

The pleasant tone makes you appear to be friendly and human, where as a bell or cough can appear a little bit harsher and people might not be as accommodating.

These

Why are people so determined to interact with pedestrians by using an impersonal implement? Interact as Gaz, Dave and the Demon say, as a human being and (most) people will treat you as a human being.

 

[twobiker]

ringing a bell from 30ft away or so seems to work and a "thank you" as I pass, also I always allow for them to do something daft as I pass, especially if they have an unleashed dog.

 

[Arsen Gere]

+1 for the bell, but some of the older folks and surprisingly dogs have poor hearing so it might need a few goes if you get no response. I agree with the thanks too.

If you hit either then everyone's day is ruined.

 

[ClichéGuevara]

If you are on a shared use path then you need to take it nice and slow, be prepared to stop and don't pressure people in front of you. If they are unaware of your presence then a softly toned excuse me or bicycle back will grab their attention in a pleasant way.
As you pass don't forget to say thank you and maybe add in a nice day today.

The pleasant tone makes you appear to be friendly and human, where as a bell or cough can appear a little bit harsher and people might not be as accommodating.

What he ^^^ says.

I see it as a good opportunity to let potential car drivers see that we're reasonable and pleasant people.

 

[calibanzwei]

Usually shout BING BING

 

[HLaB]

I'm quite gutted my Campy free hub has went quiet it got the most consistent and good response; I find with bells and voice its more erratic. I think my favoured technique is to slow down well in advance and hope they here me then fiddle with gears to make me more audible and then the polite 'excuse me' and 'thankyou'. But being prepared to stop in case they don't here you or they are stupid ned's/ chavs being awkward. If I am wanting to get somewhere in a reasonable period of time I'd just stick away from shared use; the problem is places like the Forth Road Bridge where its not an option unless you have a boat or are a very good swimmer

 

[tyred]

Try a set of Mafac centre pull brakes. The squeal from them will waken the dead.

 

[dandegas1]

I always call out from about 10 metres away that I am coming through on their left/right and always say thanks when passing.

There is a particularly frustrating part on the Bristol to Bath cycle path where school (and college) kids purposely stand in the way of cyclists. I found the best way to deal with these were to maintain my speed of about 25mph and they soon move.

 

[CopperCyclist]

If you are on a shared use path then you need to take it nice and slow, be prepared to stop and don't pressure people in front of you. If they are unaware of your presence then a softly toned excuse me or bicycle back will grab their attention in a pleasant way.
As you pass don't forget to say thank you and maybe add in a nice day today.

The pleasant tone makes you appear to be friendly and human, where as a bell or cough can appear a little bit harsher and people might not be as accommodating.

+1 I always add a "sorry" too, just can't help it! On the plus side it tends to be well received.