As a pedestrian how do you want to know when being passed?
 

How do you think the pedestrian on the path wants to know you are passing them:



1) Yell “on your left”

2) Ring a bell

3) Jingle bells on your bike that rattle that whole time you are riding.







I used to hike every weekend before I started biking. One time this guy coming down the hill and I could hear him for a while. He had like cat jingle bells on his bike. I was thinking of doing that with my road bike.




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By starting a thread in the A&S forum?

I use a spur cycle bell, and slow way down before overtaking a pedestrian. They all seem to appreciate the bell. It’s a loud, but polite sound. I also say thank you when I do pass. People like that too.

I call out "bicycle". Easy, requires no hardware and works in all hand positions. And everybody but the hearing impaired "gets" it.

Ben

If I'm a pedestrian on a Cycleway, just ride past me. It's a Cycleway. There are going to be bicycles. I know that.

If I'm a pedestrian on a footpath (sidewalk), ride past me on the road.

Whenever I approach people walking on the back roads around here I just shout "BIKE". Often lots of people walking in the nice weather we've had and often in middle of road(quiet back lanes). A hearty yell does the job. Most smile and nod in appreciation of the warning, one or two look put out. I always say thanks as I go past.

I don't want to be passed, pedestrian or not. So expect a stick in your front wheel.

I find that a loud “Get out of my way!! Don’t you know who I am?!!!” clears my path pretty effectively, and watching the damn’ pedestrians struggle to stay upright as they leap sideways adds spice to my MUP adventure.
Unless I’m feeling well-disposed toward my fellow humans, then “I’m going to pass on your left, Folks” in a clear speaking voice from a reasonable distance back will do the trick

All are acceptable. Jingle bells are kind of festive, but riding around with them on a century would drive me nuts.

A pedestrian tried to do that to mug me. Turns out it's a lot harder to do than it looks. I was a half block down the road from him before I realized what he had been trying to do.

If I'm on my bicycle on a MUP I won't say anything if a pedestrian is in front of me and there's enough room to pass; say something and you don't know which way they will go, left or right. Its worse with 2 or more persons; most likely they'll step sideways in opposite directions, something like a heard of cats scattering in all directions.

"I'm passing on your left". Works almost every time, and they're a hell of lot more predictable when I do that than when I sneak past them. especially when there's 2 or more.

If I am going to come up on someone walking and will be in somewhat close proximity to them, I will yell out "on your left". If I'm a good distance away I won't say anything.

I try to stay off the MUPs because of the idiots but when I ride with my wife she prefers them to the road. I will jingle my bell from a good distance back so they know I am approaching then a "Passing on your left. Thank you. Have a nice day." But I am a hell of a nice guy. Not at all like the rest of you clowns.

a very useful question
 

Thanks. I seldom see walkers/joggers on my normal hilly riding area. Most are usually headed opposing traffic. I like the combination bell and yell idea. I will adopt it. It also gives me an excuse to buy one of the really nifty tiny bells (someone enclosed a pic- thanks) since my only current one weighs about six pounds and stays in the shop. :thumb:

I'll call out "passing left" (or right), once. If they don't move I figure they're plugged in, and nothing short of an air horn will be heard over the loud noise they're piping into their ear plugs.

When walking I would prefer the cyclist slow down and wait till it is safe to pass. I don't require a verbal warning unless it is really warranted. I also feel it is my responsibility to be aware of what I'm doing and look before I make any changes to my path of travel. I do find it disconcerting when cyclist pass closely, very fast with no warning.

The OP left out an important option for letting people know you're coming up and going to pass them. It's freewheeling with a loud-enough rear wheel hub. My White Industries CLD hub is sort of mid-range loud. It's much louder than something pretty quiet like a Shimano hub, and not as loud as some others. When passing either pedestrians or slower cyclists I just freewheel for a few seconds as I come up within 20-30 meters of them and unless they're wearing headphones nobody ever fails to notice and look over their shoulder at me. I don't have to say a thing. It also doesn't come across in a "get outta my way!" vibe liking ringing a bell does (at least to some people).

Jingle bells???? Why not playing cards in the spokes?

Our local trail rules are posted: Cyclists yield to pedestrians, announce that they are passing on the left. In several years of riding these trails the only bell I have ever heard was on a kiddie bike.

I try to ride the way I would like to be treated if I were a pedestrian. I assume that every jogger, walker, dog, family group, etc. is semi-conscious and will do something that will cause me a problem, so I make the announcement loud enough and early enough that I can avoid the occasional goofy or erratic response - or lack of response. I also adjust my speed to ft the situation - I'll pass a single jogger who is keeping to the right usually without slowing a lot, but for kids or a big group I'll back it down accordingly. Fast and careless cyclist have a bad rep on these trails, so I do make it a point to thank people as I pass. If I have to make serious evasive action or stop I try to make light of it and go on without getting nasty. Why spoil a nice day . . . . .

Holy crap, did I post this?

My sentiments, exactly.

Two things to consider. When I am a pedestrian, I am alert enough that I normally know when I am going to be passed. As long as you pass at a safe distance though, I don't really need to know. I am going to hold my line. If I am going to move over or across, I look first.

I use a bell and had a few "thank you's" . A lot of the times I see ear buds and know I need to be cautious. Sometimes I can hear the music as I pass so I know they didn't hear my bell. This is why I avoid MUP's if at all possible. People walking dogs with retractable leashes or no leash at all, people walking 3 abreast with strollers forcing me off the path, etc. I don't need the drama. Joe

Announcing "Ön Your Left" on the MUP also lets the silent jerk passing you know you are swinging out
and sending him into the weeds.
You did check your mirror, rear, right?

Wait until the last possible second, and sound this. Loads of fun, and it helps the pedestrian get their heart rate up. They'll thank you.


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It's amazing how many posters did not answer the question in the title of the thread.

As a pedestrian how do you want to know when being passed?

When I'm walking almost any method works for me, especially if done with some consideration. Bell, call out, noisy freewheel, etc. Even no notice at all is fine as long as you're giving me lots of space and not going going 20+ mph. Just don't buzz me at high speed without any notice and I'm good with it.