"Sonar Ping" on multi-use paths
11-27-15, 05:54 PM
#1
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"Sonar Ping" on multi-use paths
As we all know, it's necessary to let folks know we are overtaking them on a multi-use path (MUP). I've given up on the "On your left" signal because some folks might think I'm asking them to move left or might not be able to quickly tell their left from their right. Also, sometimes I need to get the attention of someone who's oncoming. So I've used a running conversation when I'm about 15 seconds from overtaking "Hello Howdy Passing Thanks" figuring that they'll hear my voice getting louder and associate that with my approach. It's worked ok, but this week I discovered something better.
For a long time, in tunnels I've been letting out a sound that I can best describe as a "Sonar Ping" because it's just one high pitched burst ("BOOP") and it echoes three or four times down the length of the tunnel. A week ago I started doing that Sonar Ping out in the open on a MUPS and discovered it immediately catches people's attention, much more so than any kind of verbal signal.
For a long time, in tunnels I've been letting out a sound that I can best describe as a "Sonar Ping" because it's just one high pitched burst ("BOOP") and it echoes three or four times down the length of the tunnel. A week ago I started doing that Sonar Ping out in the open on a MUPS and discovered it immediately catches people's attention, much more so than any kind of verbal signal.
11-27-15, 06:31 PM
#2
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I commend you for being responsible by letting fellow MUP-pets know of your approach and for seeking an effective method. A bell, a horn, a voice, whatever works. You began with "as we all know..." and I would agree, on
11-27-15, 06:42 PM
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Aren't these shortly followed by a full exchange of torpedoes and depth charges?
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11-27-15, 06:50 PM
#4
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As an approach alert from a distance I like to quote movies, changing the quote to suit the season. At the moment my holiday themed alert is to quote Rossano Brazzi from "The Christmas That Almost Wasn't":
"All these years I've waited, and now, victory is mine!
Do you hear that: Victory is mine! Mine!! Mine!!! Mine!!!!
And Merry Christmas? I don't think! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!"
Besides filling my lungs with pneumonia inducing cold winter air, it fills the air with Yuletide joy and causes the tiny hearts of Grinchy pedestrians to grow three sizes larger with terror. Do you hear that: Victory is mine! Mine!! Mine!!! Mine!!!!
And Merry Christmas? I don't think! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!"
11-27-15, 07:14 PM
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11-28-15, 12:28 PM
#7
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We used to live in Silverdale, WA where many nuclear submariners lived. I did not emit sonar pings there, this is something I started in Denver 
11-28-15, 12:49 PM
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I swear, sometimes I wish I had a diesel train horn to get people to recognize your warning but usually, any simple sounds alerts them of your presence
11-29-15, 01:05 PM
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12-01-15, 12:12 PM
#12
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I wish.
I ring my bell, say 'PASSING', say 'On your Left' if I think the person knows what it means. And I always slow down, because no matter what I say or do there is always a moment or two of confusion that occurs when the person being passed has to confront the fact that they are not the only person in the world on the path.
One of my favorites is when there are two people, and they bounce against each other wondering what to do. Then each will go to one side so I have to squeeze between them.
I ring my bell, say 'PASSING', say 'On your Left' if I think the person knows what it means. And I always slow down, because no matter what I say or do there is always a moment or two of confusion that occurs when the person being passed has to confront the fact that they are not the only person in the world on the path.
One of my favorites is when there are two people, and they bounce against each other wondering what to do. Then each will go to one side so I have to squeeze between them.
12-01-15, 12:40 PM
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I am of a different opinion, probably because I am deaf. Obviously, I can't hear warnings from folks coming behind me. My practice is to ride exactly the way I would drive. On the road, it's up to the person behind to make sure a pass is safe. It should be the same with bicycling - the person behind should simply slow down if necessary and then pass at a safe place. No warning would be necessary at all, unless the person in front is blocking the path.
12-02-15, 12:15 AM
#14
Pedalin' Erry Day
I usually whistle a song when I enter one of the blind corners or tunnels on the MUPs we have here, but the idea of shouting "BOOP" inside a tunnel puts a smile on my face, so I will add that to my repertoire.
12-06-15, 07:23 AM
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A false sneeze will not only get the attention of most people and dogs, it will often illicit a "bless you" from the individual as the pass occurs. Not fluent in bow-wow speak so I have no idea what a dog's response means.
I have a soft toned aluminum bell on my bike that I ring and also announce, PASSING ON YOUR LEFT as I approach. This combo has always produced an appropriate response from the person(s) being passed. BTW, the dog(s) usually become alerted by the soft bell ring before their human servant and thus alerting the person.
I have a soft toned aluminum bell on my bike that I ring and also announce, PASSING ON YOUR LEFT as I approach. This combo has always produced an appropriate response from the person(s) being passed. BTW, the dog(s) usually become alerted by the soft bell ring before their human servant and thus alerting the person.
