Reply to Passing other riders on the trail.

My husband and I just returned from two day trip on katy trail. Our first ride, we were unaware that riders approaching from behind you are undetectable until they are right on top of you. Please if approaching from behind let the people in front know you are coming and your intentions. Two riders attempted to pass us with no warning and my husband tried to get out of their way, hitting my front wheel. Crash - I ended up riding 8 miles with a bleeding knee and shoulder. Got stitches in ER. Lesson learned - watch out
in front, along side and behind you.

Sorry about your accident. That's really awful. My husband and I have rearview mirrors on our handlebars, which are a godsend when there's heavy traffic.

For overtaking riders: You are supposed to call out "On your left" BEFORE passing someone, be they riders or pedestrians. It is best to do so as soon as you think the person you will pass could possibly hear you in order to give them time to respond with no unneccessary haste. It also gives the person passing time to slow or stop in case they are not heard. The person passing is responsible for a safe maneuver.

So sorry to hear about your accedent! Riding the Katy is the most spiritual and awesome experience and it is too bad your were hit by another rider. I ride the trail every 2-3 weeks and ride it fast and never have come close to running into anyone. Common courtesy would be for the other rider to yell out and make sure you awknowledged and then go left of you. It's a bummer what happened to you but don't let that stop you and do the Katy again!

Sorry about what happened to you. Trust me, lack of courtesy is the exception and not the rule on the Katy. Keep riding the Katy and I guarantee you’ll meet 99 super people that will make up for those less courteous users.

We're going to be riding the trail this fall so have been reading all the posts for info and thought I'd add my two cents. I'm a BIG proponent of using bells on bikes for letting people know you're passing. I have a bit of a hard time hearing low ranges especially with wind noise. Even an "on your left" is hard to hear if the biker's voice is a bit deep. Bells are almost always loud and clear and can usually be heard even if the person you're passing is using headphones. In my humble opinion.

The longbike has such a small dash the light and gps is about all that fits, so I've grown used to just yelling out when on it. We've the OEM bell on the Trek half-bikes and they seem to work well too. I think the key is to be audible with either.

I'm sorry, but if you are hard of hearing or have your ipod turned up to the point where you can't hear someone yelling on your left, you really should be more aware of your surroundings. Even though it is the responsibility of the person who is passing to pass safely, the person being passed still has some responsibility to ride safely and not be stuck in the same sort of tunnel vision I see many drivers on the road as having.

Have to add my two cents. I cannot tell you the number of times that I have yelled "passing on the left" to walkers and had one (or more) of them jump in front of me, or move to the center of the trail, because they are startled. So often walkers (more than one) are so engrossed in conversation that they are startled, and for some reason they think that:
1. I am telling them to move to the left.
2. They don't know their left from their right.
3. They are trying to get off the trail to let me pass, and are crossing in front of me to do it.
So often, GROUPS of walkers just don't pay enough attention. They need to be MUCH more aware of their surroundings, and understand that bikers are going faster than they are, so however quickly they try to cross in front of us, it's just going to "muck up" the situation.
Just please, when someone yells "passing on the left", stay to the RIGHT. And if you don't know which is your right, maybe you should stay off the trail.

Very true Kim. I wonder if it's because riders cover so much more ground....usually many different trails, roads, etc. that they are more in tune with trail etiquette and/or road rules than the average local out for a stroll on their backyard trail. We had the longbike out on a local trail last week and approached a older couple walking three dogs. I announced that we were "On your left!" and watched the man get completely off the trail while the woman froze in her tracks on the right side with little Fee Fee at the end of the leash on the left. With the whole trail blocked, we had to come to a complete stop for her to gain her bearings and tug on the lead to get Fee Fee to move. She appogized and I told her "No problem" and we rode on. A short time later we were approaching the same couple again and I announced that we were on their left. The man flipped out, nearly busted a vain yelling at the top of his lungs....."Oh....everyone look out....here comes another G%# D$@% bicycle! Why don't you shove that #$$%# thing up your...." so and so forth. We rode on declining his invitation to turn the bike around and go back. I chalk it up to a newbie trail walker who had no idea that trail etiquette or road rules existed or applied. Some trails are marked with rules and regulation and I think it would be nice if they all were, so everyone knew what to expect. It could save some old dude from pop'n a vain too.

Ok, now for my two cents: As a hiker and a newbie cyclist, I have had problems with both walkers and riders at times. Lets not blow this out of proportion. For every story about groups of walkers blocking bikes, there are stories of cyclists thinking they are Greg LeMond and Lance Armstrong sprinting side by side to the finish and nearly running over everything in their path. I have had walkers get cranky with me on my bike, and riders get bit#*#* when I have walked. It could be, but I doubt it is, just me.
EVERYONE should just try to be a little more aware of their surroundings and considerate of others. Hmmmmm, that kind of translates to the rest of the world, too, I guess.

Much as it pains me to say it but we might have to have Rangers on the trail ticketing idiots. Or perhaps we could print up some "Trail rules" that would be available at trail heads or online that we could simply hand to someone unaware and smile, say "have a nice day" and then ride on knowing full well that the recipient is incapable of comprehending the message. We however, have done our part to improve trail courtesy and go our merry way at peace with the world.
A somewhat more adversarial way would be to stop them and ask them if they drive down the left side of the road into an oncoming Mack truck. Although this might provide a great deal of cosmic relief for the one asking, it is unlikely to provide any insight to the offensive person.
No, no matter how you look at it you are engaged in a battle of wits with an unarmed person. There are no outcomes that will feel fulfilling to you. Accept this fact and tell the offending person you wish them the ability to defecate without soiling themselves and go on about your business. It is a small gesture but may bring good to the world.

The trail is for everyone, thus the term PUBLIC so we should all be considerate of each other. Try singing kumbaya next time and get over it. I’m done because my finger hurts from all this typing.

as much as i have enjoyed readin the comments, and attempting to look at both sides of the situation, lets face it folks, this go on for months and never solve a thing. other than gettin our frustation off our chest, no matter whaether you are a walker / hiker, biker, or ridin a (hay burner)horse, there is gonna be people you royally tick you off no matter what you do. if you are courteous, which i have found that 99.9% of the people are, people will find fault with that. if you chose to be a royal horses back side, then some folks will have a problem with that to. so basically, you be stuck between a rock and a hard place. best thing to do, enjoy the trail and be safe.

happy bikin / hikin folks. be safe and have a nice day.

I ride the Katy 2-3 times a week and am always amazed by the people that ride or walk 2 or 3 ACROSS the trail. I wouldn't mind it if people were cognizant of who's behind them, but unfornately a lot of people are in their own world, which is obvious when some are absolutely startled by my "On Your Left" announcement. That said people need to be aware that proper trail etiquette is to always stay on the RIGHT side of the trail.

"unfornately a lot of people are in their own world"

Ah, but for a lot of people that is exacty the point. They enjoy just meandering on the trail and taking in all of the little things that make the outdoors great. Really......how much trouble is it for a biker to slow down and manuver around a gaggle of walkers or parents with kids etc?

So it’s not possible for people to be “in their own world“ on the right side of the trail? Are they somehow exempt from the rules? Please explain. This is how accidents unfortunately happen. If everyone obeys the rules, it’s a win-win for all and accidents aren’t as prone. It’s not a cyclist’s responsibility to maneuver around a “gaggle” of people rudely occupying 3/4 of the trail. It is EVERYONE’S responsibility to be cognizant of their surroundings and stay on the right when cyclists/walker/runners are in front or behind them.

I don't mind manuevering around walkers or other (slower) bikers. I have to echo the sentiment of "pay attention to your surroundings", no matter how you are getting down the road/trail. I have taken my kids on the trail, and I must have told them "stay to the right" about 100 times per trip. The fact is that kids have a harder time remembering, and it is the responsibility of the adults to teach them trail ettiquette.

That being said, I cannot tell you how many times I get angry as a driver in the KC area, at bikers who are riding towards me (on their left)and ignore traffic signals, etc. I get angry because they make a bad name for bikers riding on the road in general.

It is the responsibility (yes, I know, it's not a popular word) of everyone to know the rules of the road (or trail) and follow them. The world would be a better place if we all just took on our own responsibilities.

"It’s not a cyclist’s responsibility to maneuver around a “gaggle” of people rudely occupying 3/4 of the trail."

Sorry.....fraid it is. The following is from the parks website.

RIGHT-OF-WAY. When approaching oncoming users, always move to the right of the trail. Always pass on the left side, and make your intentions known by announcing your approach. Bicyclists should yield to pedestrians. Everyone should yield to horseback riders.

Jim, you're just repeating what I've been saying - people need stay over on the right, pass on the left. It's simple Trail Etiquette 101. If these rules are followed then there will be no need to manuever around people and risk someone getting hurt.

BTW - If you look at all the rules on the MO parks website, you'll note that it is stated To Be Aware of Your Surroundings. It goes without saying that this includes people who are “in their own world" which you conveniently did not address in your response to me.

I actually agree with y'all......it's just I understand that there will always be people that don't pay attention and I just don't think it's anything to get that worked up over. If you come up on them, slow down, paste a grin on your face as you pass them and then resume your ride. If you want a real test.....ride from JC to Herman in October when the Church at Starkenburg is walking their retreat. Forget about 3 or 4 people....this thing has people wall-to-wall on the trail for a hundred yards.

Quite right Jim, But they will move if notified(granted it's very difficult for them all to hear) and will even pray for your safe passage. Bonus being that not one will curse you as you pass. I live on and ride the trail daily and when they are out I am amazed at how well they respond to me as opposed to other riders and walkers on the trail. Yes I have to slow down considerably but there is an obvious effort on their part to make room and be aware of my safety. Far more I am afraid, than some of the members of my own riding community. God Speed.

I think the pilgrimage has matured as the years go by. The first year we came upon it from behind and did the standard "on your left" callout they scattered like quail in every direction. It was an exciting few seconds for all involved.

I've ridden the trail a few times but mainly the road. Here are my thoughts: I believe the trail is used mainly as a nature/leisure trail. One can't fully appreciate the surroundings if you are buzzing down the trail full-tilt. As such, pedestrians always have the right of way. If we, as cyclists, want to be portrayed in a favorable light, we need to remember that. If you want to go to St.Charles to Clinton as fast as you can, use the roads.

Paul,
Good call. I'd like to encourage all runners like my wife and hikers like me to enjoy the trail but try to pay attention to traffic.