On your left.
On YOUR left!
On YOUR LEFT!!
ON YOUR LEFT!!!
Does this sound familiar? If you are a cyclist then you probably feel my pain. It’s simple, work with me here people, hold up your hands in an “L” shape. The one that looks like an “L” would be your left hand. Congratulations there you have it and now everyone is a winner!
I set out this morning to knock out some training on my bike for an upcoming ride. What you think would have been a lovely bike ride on a gorgeous day in Chicago turned into frustration from those who don’t have the slightest clue of bike path etiquette.
Not only is it just plain rude, it’s very dangerous for those actually using the bike path and I’m not talking about the beach-goers and tourists looking up at the sky.
Bare with me here while I list my biggest pet peeves for the bike path (you know that picture on the BIKE path with a bike frame, wheels and handlebars and says bike path that represent a BIKE path, spell it with me B (Buh) I (Eye) K (Ku) E (eee) path!)
RULE 1: When I say I am on your left that means I’m on your left. It doesn’t mean turn around and stare, it doesn’t mean walk further to your left, it doesn’t mean stand there with a clueless expression on your face. It means move over or you are going to have my front tire between your legs and trust me I don’t want to do that, it’s been done before and it’s not fun!
RULE 2: We drive on the right side, so we ride on the right side of the bike path. Pretend you are driving your car down the street, what happens when you drive on the wrong side? A crash. Ding! Ding! Ding! Please do not walk on the wrong side of the bike path.
RULE 3: Music and bikes do not mix. A bike path can be dangerous when you have you volume all the way up and can’t hear people like me screaming that I am on your left. Trust me I understand that music helps runners since I know that first hand, but please please please be aware of your surroundings. Just like crossing a street please look both ways and make sure you run on the very right hand side of the path to let bikes pass. For you bikers with iPods, please keep only one ear bud in because I don’t feel like screaming and losing my voice as I pass you.
RULE 4: Yes rollerbladers you may have some fancy footwork that you like to showoff, but please for the love of God, don’t hog the path with your criss-crossing moves and please listen to me when I warn you I’m coming.
RULE 5: Oh look there’s your neighbor, want to say hi? That’s fine by me just don’t stop abruptly in front of me and move to the side, preferably the grass to continue your conversation.
RULE 6: If you can’t keep your eye on your kid while you drink that Budweiser with your beer gut hanging out in all its glory, then don’t yell at me when I tell your kid to watch out and be careful as he jumps in front of me with no time for me to stop!!!! Fortunately I stopped just in time as the man yells “SLOW DOWN!” It leaves me boiling with frustration..Slow down. Slow down! Did he really just say that!?! He’s telling me to slow down while I am using a bike path, I repeat BIKE path to ride and train. Deep breathe. Please keep an eye on your small children, teach them that the bike path can be dangerous, teach them to look both ways. If you are more interested in your beer than your child’s safety then get a leash for the kid!!! Come on people!
Alright I feel better now. Just needed a venting session and I am sure all of my Urban Girl’s feel my pain. I would love to hear what makes you ladies tick on the bike path!
Urban Girl Fitness Quote of the Day:
Good manners will open doors that the best education cannot. ~Clarence Thomas
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