Gravel Road Etiquette
No two gravel roads are alike
Gravel roads come in lots of shapes, sizes and uses, and sharing a gravel road can mean a lot of different things. As you ride gravel more, you'll see some sections at the back of houses with potted plants, sitting areas and paving stones. Others sections look like extended garages, with cars sometimes blocking part of the road. Dog owners walk their pets down the middle of a gravel road as if it were a park. And some gravel sections are not much more than a narrow path that only one person can use at a time, so sharing the road means that someone will end up going first while the other person waits. All of this means that good cycling etiquette has to go beyond the basics of riding on a paved road, where you keep to the right, signal intentions, stay alert through intersections, etc. Here are some choices you can make when a gravel road isn't totally open:
Skip The Section
It can be hard to change plans in the middle of a ride, and it might be tempting to push your way through a section you'd chosen even if it's being used in another way. Rethink that determination. Gravel riding is for pleasure and relaxation, so don't insist on riding a particular section and harming those goals. You can always pick another route, and fortunately there is so much gravel in Portland there's almost always another section nearby.
Walk Your Bike
Asking some riders to walk their bikes feels like asking them to walk the plank; there's a rhythm one gets into while riding that counts for a lot. At the same time, a rider might need to walk their bike for lots of other reasons; say, through an active construction site, or in a crowded crosswalk to get over a busy street. Then walking becomes part of the rhythm instead of a hindrance. If you stay in the head space of sharing gravel instead of riding it, walking your bike will be a real show of sharing the road, and keep you focused on the fun you're having. Think of it as a hike/bike experience.
Put Your Foot Down
Often, just stopping for a moment, say to let a dog walker pass, makes all the difference. In that case, be sure to put a foot on the ground to signal that you're really stopping. Many cyclists can balance on two wheels without taking their feet off the pedals - it's a good skill to have! But staying poised on top of the pedals doesn't send the message that you've really stopped, it can look like you're ready to charge ahead any minute. Putting a foot on the ground makes your intentions crystal clear.
Say Hello!
A simple greeting does wonders to create a shared atmosphere. Greetings create community.
Gravel roads are special little worlds, where people can exhale, let down their shoulders and saunter along. Bikes are part of this world, but it takes warmth, friendliness and courtesy to make those worlds as special as they can be.
Happy graveling!