memebag

I've never startled anyone. I announce far enough back that I don't surprise them. I've had some people who didn't understand English. They stopped and turned around to look at me. I was easily able to ride around them.

They learn from experience. I had one guy ask me to stop and explain why I announced. I was happy to explain it. He was mad at first, because he thought cyclists were saying that because he was too slow. I explained that we do it because it's the law and it makes life safer for all of us. Once I explained it he understood and calmed down.

In general:
If you're riding so fast that you don't have time to announce and respond to a pedestrian's reaction, get off the MUP and onto a road.

Seattle Forrest

I've startled people. Some people are just jumpy.

raria

Great point. If the person just heard right, they'll move right!

Snowflake6

Saying "Left" or "Right" to a walker is usually enough to get the walker to move in that direction, in my experience. I've stopped warning, I just give wide berths. My 105 drivetrain *isn't* noisy, so there's no noise until i'm past them. They may startle, but by that point i'm gone anyway.

snow_echo_NY

i've definitely said "I'm passing you on your left" mostly b/c people don't respond well to "on your left" - i'll also say "i'm on your left" in close proximity - before passing.

KraneXL

No matter how you put it, people will always stop to interpret your language. Use a warning sound/bell. That's what its for. Then they instantly know where you are, and what that means.

Wiltsielove

I live in Utah and have for about a decade and have never heard of this.

dfischer

Boats, airplane, cars, in fact everything I can think of provides the right of way to the slower or less maneuverable. I don't care what the laws says or what you think is the "right" answer, you tag somebody and didn't call it out a good lawyer will simply take a jury and hang you out to dry.

And did we forget many bicyclists like to claim they have the same rights to the roadway as a car? Now some can't accept they are responsible to not hit somebody?

Sure some don't know what "on your left" means, but most do, and the rest learn in a big hurry.

I don't have a bike bell, but I just decided I need one. I don't care what the law, folks experience, or the purple pumpkin eater says: if I can not hit a kid, or a little old lady, or a whatever, then I made the right decision. To those that brought that up, thanks!

surak

I use a bell and get a lot more thank yous and hand waves than startled jumps. Of course, the startled ones are the least clueful pedestrians and "bikers" who meander to and fro. I figure startling them once is necessary education to prepare them for future encounters on the MUP.

Also, I swear I posted almost this exact same response on BF a few months ago. And a few months before that... I'm beginning to understand why the majority of a certain poster's content is just previous quotes of himself.

bruce19

My only problem with this is that the bell doesn't give notice about what you are going to do. As in "passing on your left."

Bah Humbug

Yeah a bell can be any number of things. Even I wouldn't assume it was a bike coming through.

bruce19

I hear a bell. I look for an ice cream truck.

Johnicycle

Had a young adult looking right at me a veer into my lane coming right towards me, then get freaked out when we almost collided..

When I got home I ordered a replacement 1200 lumen light for my bike... Should be here tomorrow..

​​​​this was in Milford, Ma. People are constantly walking side by side taking up the entire path, not paying attention. Annoying to say the least.

KraneXL

Then you must no be from around here. Even small kids know that.
In my experiments. At least 50% of the time peds move to the side without even breaking their stride. Your warning bell indicates intent to pass. And with that the peds should move to the right.

The only issues arrive is with groups when they divided to both sides forcing you down the middle. When that happens you have to needle through focusing on moving targets on both sides with no open way out in the event of an emergency maneuver.

Lostfreight

woodcraft

Bell FTW.

Good for overtaking riders on the road, & even for a sonic wave.

KraneXL

Same in the states that I've lived in. I bought mine (along with a few other accessories) before I bought my bike. Useless for cars in traffic, but a definite must anywhere there are pedestrians.

kbarch

Another one worth repeating. Totally common sense, and I think most experienced riders know this. Unfortunately, too many people use shared paths as training grounds, they'll start putting forth an effort, and common sense goes out the window..

teoblar

I was complimented by a pedestrian who caught up to me at a stop light while getting off of a MUP. I had said 'passing on your left' as I usually do and he thanked me for my civility. 80% of the time my call-out falls on deaf ears, though, as most folks are actively tuning out the world with earbuds.

OBoile

I rarely announce my passing. It just isn't necessary most of the time, and I find it is more likely to create a problem than solve one. I will use my bell if I think there is a decent chance the person may not hold their line. Very few people announce their passes where I ride. I can't remember the last time someone did when passing me.

indyfabz

I salivate.

memebag

I receive a "thank you" from several pedestrians during most MUP rides.

Please announce when passing. Don't try to predict what I will or won't do. Let me know you are back there. Thank you.

OBoile

No. Like I said, it tends to cause more issues than it solves.

memebag

I announce and it doesn't cause any issues. Maybe you're doing it wrong.

OBoile

Or maybe people aren't used to it (because very few people announce their passes where I ride) and it causes them to panic.