“On your left” is cycling’s worst habit

As cyclists, we have a long list of habits that tend to annoy everyone around us that isn’t on bikes. Drivers hate it when we ride side-by-side. Or when we slow-roll a stop sign in a group.

But I don’t want to talk about the war on cars. I want to talk about not pissing everyone else off. And, while riding two-up and rolling stop signs are defensible (and both are legal in different places), this habit is, in my opinion, indefensible.

When it comes to pissing off anyone and everyone outside of a vehicle, cyclists have one habit that stands out among the rest. “On your left!”

Customs and communication studies

Yes, what most of us think of as a polite communication to pedestrians, and some other riders, intended to keep everyone safe is, I think, one of the most annoying things we can do as a user group. The only worse strategy is  shouting “On your left” then buzzing within inches of that persons shoulder, as if slowing down until a wider pass was a safer option.

Now, this is a custom that many of us have learned from other riders. That does not mean it is normal. It might feel normal when rolling along within a group, it might not even seem that loud. If you doubt me, skip your regular group ride next week and go for a walk along the route. Cyclists are really loud. Watch people’s reactions to the front few riders bellowing “On your LEFT” every time they approach a person.

After living just steps from a popular downtown multi-use / commuter path, and spending as much time on it on foot as on wheels, I can tell you the majority reaction is frustration. And when a group of roadies (or gravel grinders) flies by at the same speed as a souped up, sketchy “E-bike” with a throttle, it’s no wonder pedestrians don’t bother trying to sort us boastfully human powered idiots apart from the idiots on e-motos.

Not that yelling it quieter is much better. That just means you have to be that much closer to the person before they will hear your instruction. Which, in turn, means you will be flying right beside their shoulder when they do turn to see who is shouting directions at them on their casual stroll.

Dysfunctional rude

As a safety measure, or, more accurately, attempt at crowd control, “On your left!” is also not particularly functional. There is a substantial portion of the population who, when shouted at, jump. And a good portion of those people will just hear “left” and jump left.

This isn’t a universal habit….