Biking Etiquette

     I’m relatively new to the world of cycling. Having previously never logged over 40 miles unless in a race, I’ve never felt like I could ever really comment on the sport in a way that could help others. But now that I’ve increased my distance and time spent on my bike, I feel that I have earned the right to discuss bike etiquette…at least to some extent. There are a lot of articles discussing etiquette when riding in a group setting, but what about for those riding alone? I’ve made some random observations and suggestions below (all based on personal experiences and pet peeves) that I really think beginner cyclists/triathletes should take to heart.

Scenario #1: 

You’re riding behind another biker who is faster than you. There is a red light coming up and the biker in front of you stops for the light. Then you approach the light before it changes.

Bad Etiquette: 

You slow down and stop IN FRONT of the biker who was stopped at the light. Then the light changes, you both begin, and the faster biker is forced to slow down and struggle, one again, to pass you.

Good Etiquette: 

You slow down and stop BEHIND the biker who was stopped at the light. When the light changes, you give the faster biker a minute to clip back in and start in front of you.

Scenario #2: 

You get passed by a faster biker but are riding fast enough to be able to draft off of him/her for a ways. After a while, the faster biker goes his/her own way and so do you.

Bad Etiquette: 

You draft off the biker until you depart ways…end of story.

Good Etiquette: 

You draft off the biker until you depart ways and audibly thank the faster biker for pulling your lazy butt the last X amount of miles as they veer off in a different direction.

Scenario #3: 

The only bike shorts that aren’t dirty are ones that have been worn a million times and the fabric is pretty thin and stretched out.

Bad Etiquette: 

You wear the shorts out regardless of how see-through they might be.

Good Etiquette: 

You do a trainer ride or wear dirty shorts knowing that once you bend over in aero position, your old shorts will be stretched so thin that the person behind you will be blinded by your ass crack. And, since you’re a good person, you know that nobody would ever want to see that.

Scenario #4: 

You see a biker, out alone, stopped by the side of the road looking distressed or fidgeting with something.

Bad Etiquette: 

 You pass by thankful that it’s not you.

Good Etiquette: 

You slow down just enough to ask if they need help because you know that just as well could’ve been you. Not everybody knows how to change a tire or has another spare tube with them.

Scenario #5: 

You draft off another biker. They start to get tired after a while and begin to slow down.

Bad Etiquette: 

 You pass them and leave them behind because you’re feeling great after not having to really work for the last X miles.

Good Etiquette: 

You pass them, thank them for the pull, and continue on just slow enough as to give them the option to get in your slipstream for a while as to return the pulling favor.

Scenario #6: 

You’re the faster biker and a few people get behind you so that you can pull them.

Bad Etiquette: 

 You don’t signal any obstructions or whether you’re about to turn because it’s not like you approved them following you.

Good Etiquette: 

You use hand signals as though you were riding in a group. Not signaling an obstruction to them could be just as dangerous to you as it is to them.

Scenario #7: 

You like to listen to music when you exercise.

Bad Etiquette: 

 You wear headphones while riding with music blasting so loud you can barely hear outside noise and thus other bikers can’t let you know they want to pass you. ]

Good Etiquette: 

You only listen to music while on the trainer and leave your headphones at home when on the road. Not only is it good etiquette to be able to hear other riders signaling to pass you, but it’s much safer for you generally as well.