Zian

Background:
I frequently encounter people walking in the bike lane of a multi-use path on my university's campus in addition to the occcasional oblivious mob of pedestrians on the road. My experience with Bell bells has been awful.

What would you suggest for someone who regularly rides on the aforementioned multi-use path and occasionally commutes on the road? I've searched the forums but I have trouble winnowing down the list of results and most of the threads just suggest having a bell without getting into specifics.

For the curious, this is the most dangerous part of the path because it's a steep downhill ride. Supposedly, pedestrians stay to the left and the right 2 lanes are for bikes. Unfortunately, the lane markings aren't correct on the aerial photo because the photograph is out of date.

Socalcycling

wear a whistle on a lanyard and blow at them... very common when going across the Golden Gate on a weekday when the bike side is closed..

efficiency

I use the "Incredibell" on my mountain bike. It works fine, and is widely available.

rooftest

When most people hear a bell or a whistle, they don't know that it means "move to the right." Nothing works better than your voice, in my experience.

DanteB

It seems like there is no perfect solution to this problem, I've tried bells, whistles and my voice. I've said "on your left", they move left. I've blown a whistle and ring a bell, they're confused. Lately I just say "coming up behind you" early and watch which way they go and try to get around them without hitting them. What's bad about all the ways of trying to get their attention is when they have their IPod on and can't hear or aren't paying attention. I guess it something we as bike riders are just going to have to put up with.

my58vw

I have a battery powered siren from a night rider kit - 110 db gets their attention!

tinrobot

Tranquilizer darts.

KrisPistofferson

Long time, no see.

Sci-Fi

+1

Mirrycle Incredibell XL or Big Brass (old-school double ring) is loud enough without startling people (some will jump/swerve into your path instead of moving to the right).

Psydotek

I have an Incredibell on my fixed gear bike. It lets people know when they're getting passed in a race.

DScott

Or, rubber bullets. They're quicker to take effect.

In the meantime, I'm working on a carbon fiber version of this:

thomson

Your lance needs sharpening.

roadfix

Voice is most effective. I usually yell "police!" with a deep tone and that always make people freeze on the spot.

DScott

I'm not trying to hurt anybody, just pursuade them to move out of the way.

A cow catcher would be much more appropriate, on so many levels. But then, I'd probably have to "get 'bent" to really make it work, and I just can't bring myself to do that at this point in my life.

nekohime

I have a bell, but I almost never use it to alert people. (I got it 'coz it doubles as a compass, actually.) I just yell "EXCUSE ME, MOVE TO YOUR LEFT/RIGHT PLEASE!!!" Works for me when I ride the crowded walkways of my campus. You have yell louder than the ipod zombies' music though.

Scootcore

incredibell....works as well as anything i suppose.....

curiouskid55

Just call " Rider Back!!" If you call out left or right that is unvariably the direction in which they will wander.

nekohime

Yeah, that's why instead of "on your left/right," I say "move to your left/right."

CritEastwood

Just sneak past them.

my58vw

Life gets in the way sometimes - trolling, but not posting...

magicant

Carry m.e. with you. She's like a foghorn.

thomson

She aint nuthin' against Joy.

Zian

Sorry about not dropping in earlier to respond.

Thanks for the suggestions and I'm glad to hear (*groans at the pun*) that I'm not the only one with this problem.

I'll look into the Incredibell, the Mirrycle Incredibell XL, and the Big Brass. To be honest, I've used voice until now except for the few times that the bell actually worked. However, I'm pretty sensitive so it takes me a bit sometimes to stop being annoyed after I get a sarcastic response from the people I shout at.

Sci-Fi

Can always get a loud car like bike horn: Delta Airzound Bike Horn (115 dB), Megalert Bicycle Megahorn (105 db), or Thunder Horn (115 db). Anything in the 100 db range is pretty loud or attention getting, with 130 db being the threshold of pain.

Nachoman

I don't care if you're joking or not, but I'm trying it!