The Safer Way to Pass on Bike Paths
Our Coach’s Corner series is your chance to have your biggest cycling questions answered — right from longtime cycling coach Darryl MacKenzie. In these short Q&As, Coach Darryl speaks from his 35+ years of cycling and coaching experience to help you become a stronger, smarter cyclist.
Cautious Cyclist:
Coach, I ride on bike paths a lot, and passing pedestrians or other cyclists can be stressful. Every time I call out “On your left,” they move left — directly into my path! How can I make this safer?
Coach Darryl:
You’re not imagining things — this happens far more often than most cyclists realize. I’ve seen it many times myself, and it’s one of the most confusing and dangerous moments on shared paths. You do the right thing by announcing yourself, and the person ahead does exactly the wrong thing in response.
Here’s my theory as to why this happens.
A few minutes before you encountered them, that walker or rider may have been driving a car. When they hear the word “left,” perhaps from a passenger, their brain automatically interprets it as a command — turn left! It’s pure conditioning from years behind the wheel. So when you shout “Left!” or “On your left!” from behind, they instinctively move left, directly into your passing line.
It’s not carelessness — it’s muscle memory. And the fix is simple but powerful: change your wording.
Instead of saying “Left!” or “On your left,” call out “Passing on your left.”
That one extra word — passing — changes the context completely. It lets the person know what’s happening, not what they should do. It’s clear, it’s polite, and it removes the chance of misunderstanding.
I’ve been using this phrase for years, and the difference is dramatic. When I call out “Passing on your left,” I rarely see anyone move unpredictably or jerk into my path. It keeps the interaction smooth, predictable, and safe for everyone.
So next time you’re rolling up behind someone on a shared path, remember: clarity prevents collisions. A single extra word can save you (and them) from a nasty scare.
Photo by Munbaik Cycling Clothing on Pexels
