Have you ever been shoaled? You're not alone

Maybe you've never heard of "shoaling,"but if you're a cyclist in Ottawa, there's a chance it's happened to you. Especially if you're a woman.

It's a sore spot for many two-wheeled commuterswho report feeling snubbed or judged. Others believe there are bigger fish to fry in the cycling world, and encourage victims of shoaling to chill out and enjoy the ride.

Either way, it makes for a lively debate.

So what is shoaling?

PictureMary stoppedin a bike lane, waiting at a red light. Another cyclistlet's call him Bobapproaches from behind. But rather than line up behind Mary, Bobstops next to or infront of her.

Keep in mind Bob hasn't spent any time ridingbehind Mary, so he can't realistically know how fast or slowMary is. Nevertheless, Bob has automatically decided he's faster, or perhaps more important, than Mary.

The light turns green and Bob begins pedalling ahead of Mary. Turns out Bob is actually slower than Mary, especially up that hill. So now she's stuck behind him, unable to passbecause they're in a segregated bike lanewhere passing can be tricky and dangerous.

Mary has just been shoaled by slow, presumptuous Bob.

What is shoaling?

8 years ago

Duration 0:31

Watch this video to learn all about shoaling.

Sexism in the bike lane?

PhilianaDollinknows how Mary feels.

During her morning commutealong the LaurierAvenue bike lane throughdowntown Ottawa, Dollinstopped to chat about shoalingand share her theoriesas to why it regularly happens to her.

I do try to beat them. I'm now on a mission.- Wanda Caird, cyclist and shoaling victim

"I often get shoaled by men. I don't wear the full gear, I look like a regular person on a bikeI guess maybe because I'm a woman," Dollin ventured.

More often than not, Dollin said, she'll easily blow past the offending shoaler without uttering a word.

"I figure just them seeing my butt in their face is good enough," she said.

Another woman,WandaCaird, described herself as a positive, enthusiastic cyclist, but said thatdoesn't mean she's willing to let a shoaling passunchallenged.

"When that happens I feel highly frustrated," Caird said. "I do try to remain calm, but ... I do try to beat them. I'm now on a mission. I am going to beat them to the next light and if we get to a red light I will beat them leaving. That is a fact. It's going to happen."

Ottawa cyclists on shoaling

8 years ago

Duration 2:08

The CBC's Giacomo Panico speaks to Ottawa cyclists about what it is like to be shoaled.

Shoaling nobig deal

While shoaling may be a source of frustrationfor some cyclists, others believe it's no big deal.

"Whatever happens, happens," opined Colin Stuart. "People should use their common sense. I'm not going to worry about it. Hell, I'm 75. If somebody passes meand then slows down, I understand it perfectly."

Cyclist Sophia Wong compared shoaling to walking on a sidewalk when someone in front of you suddenly slows down or stops to check their smart phone.

"Doesn't sound like a big deal," Wong smiled. "I think people just have to lighten up. It's not a race, it's not a competition. Let's just enjoy the fact that it's a beautiful day, take our time, get to work safely."