I ride my bike on a trail that is meant to accomodate walkers,joggers and bikers. Bikers are to yield to walkers and runners, keep to the right and pass on the left. The problem is getting around these people. I can get right up on the back of most people and they never hear me.
Some have headphones on but most simply don't hear me. It is amazing how poorly humans hear. If the wind is right I can bike within a couple of feet of people for 10+ seconds and they just continue to stay in the middle of the path right in my way. It is because they don't hear me. I want to be respectful and maintain the rights of the walkers/joggers as well but am getting tired of having to slow down to a crawl and finally say, "excuse me" just to get around people.
It is always awkward because you can tell the people get irritated having to move. I also they they get upset because they feel stupid for having been running in front of you for some period of time without even knowing it. Today some moron finally said something to me. I think he was trying to tell me i was wrong, but i was long gone before he ever got finished. (I was right....said excuse me and passed him on the left.)
Now to my question: Can someone recommend a SUBTLE way of notifying people in advance without annoying them worse than i already do? I don't want some loud blow horn or whistle, I just want something subtle. How about a bell? Will this work on a MTB that is bouncing all around? I don't want one of those big horns that has the air deal that goes in the water bottle holder or any other fancy gadget. I suppose a bell would be best? Any recommendations?
The BikeForums Team
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Now to my question: Can someone recommend a SUBTLE way of notifying people in advance without annoying them worse than i already do? I don't want some loud blow horn or whistle, I just want something subtle. How about a bell? Will this work on a MTB that is bouncing all around? I don't want one of those big horns that has the air deal that goes in the water bottle holder or any other fancy gadget. I suppose a bell would be best? Any recommendations?
I think you've answered your own question. A simple bell is the way to to I'd say!
Grendel
A bell is absolutely the way to go. I still do some path riding once in a while and have found a bell to be perfect for letting people know you're approaching. Calling "On yer left" or something similar sometimes works, but it seems to confuse some percentage of people out there and you end up with them doing something unpredictable. If you are one of those people who knows how to whistle loudly (one of my great regrets in life is that I've never mastered this...) then that makes a good backup in case the bell doesn't do the trick or they have headphones on.
georgesnatcher
I don't know if they still do but Kona was selling a "cow bell" to mount on a mtb.
Guest
I had that problem. The solution I found was to ride at a different time of the day.
I know it's not the solution you were looking for at all, but I find that riding early morning means I run into hardly anyone, and I don't have to spend all my time shooting off fireworks and smoke signals to get these folks attention.
Just a thought...
Koffee
Grampy™
I just yell "Biker up" (kind of an abreviated slang for Biker coming up ) and have no problem, but I do it while I'm a good ways behind them. It gives them more reaction time. If they are wearing headphones I just blow by them and hopefully scare 'em a little.
A bell on my bike? Eeeeeew! Maybe if I could find a nice carbon fiber and Ti bell..... :D
The ones that drive me CRAZY are the runners that run on the wrong side of the trail. (like they would on a street) Those I just yell "MOVE" at. :mad:
twowheeler
From one of your previous posts I see that you live in the same town in Kansasas I do. I used to ride the dike all the time too, I also had lots of problems with walkers, jogger and dogs. My solution was to buy a road bike and now I ride on the road! I found I fair better with the cars than I did the the walkers. What time of the day do you ride? I always found right after work, it was crowded up there. Once it gets cold, you will notice the traffic will let up.
JoeTown244GL
I use the Incedibell ($10). It is black, loud, and small. So it hides well. They have been dinging them in Europe for a century or more with great effect. They work great. Politeness and smiles win friends for us all.
Rah Rah for Kansas! Salina is cool town. I love that Italian place downtown. Moukuldi and Ashish at the Holiday in Express in Abilene are bike friendly and sweet people - tell them you know Sujata's husband. Try the Brookville Inn in Abilene for a great stick to your ribs chicken dinner.
Portis
Hi Kathy.
When I hit the dike sort of depends. The problem I had today was around noon. At this point, I am not ready for the road. I am a kid from the country and don't like cars whizzing around me. Too many idiots on the road for me.
I think "The Dike" is really pretty cool. Espescially if you get on down by Schilling. THat first stretch up to Magnolia is not maintained and a pretty fun ride. Right now, I am just getting into biking and expect that I will at some point grow tired of the dike but right now I like the solace it provides. I have also noticed that early AM is much better.
I certainly won't let anyone scare me off of the dike. As long as I am obeying the rules, they can K.M.A. (so to speak) I certainly won't be ran off the dike by a couple Yuppies walking a little poodle. :D :D :D
Joe: I've eaten at the Brookville Inn. Too bad it no longer fits into my diet! Massive plates of fried chicken is a thing of beauty.
DieselDan
A bell? I used on Hilton Head for a time. People just turned around and looked at me and wouldn't move. I just pass them and let them deal with it.
Grendel
The ones that drive me CRAZY are the runners that run on the wrong side of the trail. (like they would on a street) Those I just yell "MOVE" at. :mad:
I was on a section of path once going over a bridge and had a mom-daughter couple (I guess) heading towards me on the same path. Now this isn't a very wide path and they were walking side-by-side, basically cutting off the path, and since we were on a bridge at that point I had no way of bailing to get around them. So, I dinged the bell (no response), dinged it again (now the girl closest to my approach is at least looking at me but not giving any ground), dinged one more time just so I can say I gave them a chance, and then finally cut loose with a "MOVE DAMMIT!!!" that startled the girl enough that she almost climbed OVER her mom and into the street! Now, keep in mind that all this time they're looking right at me and the only way I could have avoided them would have been to stop the bike and jump off the bridge. When I feel the need to holler I can do a drill instructor proud, so I save that only for the most 'special' cases.
Portis
So, I dinged the bell (no response), dinged it again (now the girl closest to my approach is at least looking at me but not giving any ground), dinged one more time just so I can say I gave them a chance, and then finally cut loose with a "MOVE DAMMIT!!!"
:D :D :D
I bet that felt good! I think it goes back to that pedestrian mentality. I used to spend a lot of time driving around college campus. It was always amazing to watch people walk right in front of my car while they have their eyes locked right onto mine. The message they are sending is, "you better not run over me or you are going to be in BIG trouble." That always seems ironic to me because it seems like to me that the 180 lb human getting hit by a 3000 lb missile or a 200 lb speeding bike/rider combo is going to be in bigger trouble.
cyclezealot
The only thinkg that annoys me.. When walkers walk in multiples, use up the whole trail. Have on ear phones...Won't, dont listen. Can't pass. I always try to get their attention.. & Won't listen..
DanFromDetroit
You could lash a great big "boom-box" to your handlebars and get a cassette tape like the ones used by ice-cream trucks (Greensleeves or something equally annoying), and play it *real* loud. Instead of riding to the right and passing on the left, aim straight for them and let out a Rebel Yell as you are about to mow them down.
You will be infamous in no time and everyone will avoid you at all costs.
OR
you could get a bell, though sometimes a whistle works better. It is an unusual noise and folks notice it better.
Dan
Gordon P
I tried bells and politely bellowing “on your left” and “this is a multi-use trail” etc and most people will not budge. The worst offenders are parents with carriages, dog walkers and people who are new to walking. In some places, trails are painted with a cyclist symbol on one side of the trail and a pedestrian on the other. This seems to work as everyone knows their place.
Ohio Trekker
For the most part, our trail rules are well posted, Bicycles yield to pedestrians, and everyone yields to horses, have yet to see one on the trail, but the rule is there. Dogs should be on SHORT leashes, not those 25' roll-up things that are so popular. For the most part people will move, and on a few close calls, folks have apoligized. BUT there are the few exceptions that just don't get it. It's not worth it for me to get bothered about them, every dog has it's day, and their's will come sooner or later. I interact with people on the trails alot, and they are often thankfull for the bell on my bike and say thank you for the warning. Little kids enjoy the sound it makes, and go ding ding back at me while smiling. The fact they are so thankful for the bell 1eads me to believe there are too many people who hadn't warned them, and probably far too many people who just blew by with no consideration at all! I don't ride the trails when I want to get some serious miles on, I take to the streets, or I ride at night, when the only thing I have to worry about is the 4 legged wildlife.
To me a bell does the trick, it's pretty universally accepted as the sound a bike makes. I don't have one of those newer bells that just go ding, I have a lever actuated bell that brrrrrings and if done just right, can be irritatingly loud should the need arise. Looks like **** on my bike but is worth it for the effectiveness. It works far more effectively than announcing on the left which seems to confuse far too many people, children and adults alike!
I share everyone's disdain for the oblivious few who wear headphones and couldn't hear a Mack truck pulling up behind them, but only because they are jeapordizing innocent people who are sharing the trails by their selfish disregard for others.
shaharidan
i saw someone with a mini cow bell once, i thought it was a great idea, if i ever see one in a shop i'll pick it up. as for me i usually just say on your left as i get close. i try not to shock folks, doesnt always work, but its better than the shock of squeezing past i think.
Portis
I bought a cheap bike Bell/Compass combo at Wally World. It is black so it blends in with the bike and doesn't really look to bad. Plus I learned that my house actually faces SW instead of South. :D (Learn something every day)
Well to anyone who is following this or stumbles upon it later: The bell is a good solution. I have used it for a couple days and it has worked. I would probably prefer a better sounding bell as this one sounds a little off key but hey it works. I have had to "bang" on it pretty good for a few of the less conscious walkers but at least it has gotten me around most of them without breaking cadence to much.
Shimpie
Today, two of my co-workers and I were walking on a multi-use trail. This trail is commonly used by cyclists, pedestrians, and horses which yield to each other respectively. We were standing around a plant on the left side of the trail and when we started heading up the trail again, we noticed a bicycle coming from the opposite direction. Rather than scramble to the correct side of the trail, we stayed on the left edge of the trail and left the cyclist plenty of room to pass. He was wearing no shirt and no helmet, but he did have a huge "breathe-rite" strip over his nose. As he approached us, he let out a loud sigh, looked over his shoulder, and veered left to avoid us. As he rode by he shouted, "You should be on the right side of the trail," and after he had passed a safe distance, he added, " IDIOTS!"
Being a cyclist myself, I was highly offended. What had we done to deserve that? We weren't spread across the trail. In fact we gave in plenty of room to pass. If it was such a chore to look over his shoulder, perhaps this cyclist should have worn a helmet and a MIRROR.
-Shimpie
Allister
The 'cyclists yield to pedestrians' is a fair enough rule. The trouble is, most pedestrians interpret this to mean 'I can walk where I want and the cyclists just have to deal with it'. There are clear rules in place here for shared paths that include the 'cyclists yield to pedestrians' one, but also one about path users not unreasonably obstructing other users, but they never put that one up on the signs.
There is also the problem that the vast majority of shared paths are far too narrow. I think pedestrians should be able to walk three or four abreast, but there should be room on the path to do it and still let other traffic pass safely.
Pat
I think the whole concept of multiple use paths is terminally flawed.
1) Even a not so fit cyclist can cruise at 15 mph. That is 5 times as fast as the normal pedestrian who is at 3 mph. A fit cyclist can achieve speeds that are 8 times as fast as the pedesrians. So the mix in speeds is a bit like running the Daytona 500 in the roads in a suburb.
2) Bike paths do not emphasize right of way. Pedestrians naturally assume that bikes can stop and turn as quickly as pedestrians. So the pedestrians follow their normal rules of right of way which is absolutely none. Also pedestrians are conditioned to think only of looking at people and avoiding them when they are very very close such as 3' away. If you are bearing down on a group of pedestrians, as far as they are concerned you are just flat off the radar screens.
3) On our local bike paths, people walk dogs and often on 25' leashes which is to say essentially no leash at all. One day I came upon a lady who was lying dazed on the path next to her bike. A woman had been walking her dog sans leash. The dog had investigated the bushes and then ran out in front of the cyclist who hit the dog went over her handle bars unto her head.
4) Then you have the people with very small children on bike paths. They usually allow the children to mill around. There is no telling what a small child is going to do. Hitting a small child whilst going a high rate of speed is dreadful to even contemplate.
5) Then there are the pedestrians who gather in groups to hold discussions. These people are totally oblivious to everything and they always seem to assume that since they outnumber you, they have a god given right to block the path for as long as they desire.
I suppose multiple use paths could work if they were patrolled and people were given tickets for violations. But that will happen when the infernal regions freeze over.
I sometimes ride on bike paths for short distances. When I do, I have no expectations of riding at any kind of speed. I also expect people to do really, really dumb things and even then they come up with new dumb things that I have not even contemplated. It is my belief that it is much, much safer to ride out on the streets with the trucks and the buses where the people generally follow the rules of the road then to contend with erratic and unpredictable people on these paths.
Laggard
Wouldn't ride on trails unless it was out of desperation.
20-25 MPH on a narrow trail shared by bikes, inline skaters, people walking, strollers and dogs is just asking for trouble.
Get on the road!!!!!!!!
closetbiker
The few times I've been riding on mixed use trails, I've had the same problems with pedestrians.
Even better is a local bylaw that cyclists must yeild to pedestrians on the trails in all cases. A cyclist can be persecuted in court for damages if there was an accident.
I stay away from the trails for these reasons as well as (like in Denver with that cyclist/cyclist collision/fatality) if another cyclist runs into me, there's nothing that can be done.
I'm keeping to the street!
Chris L
I sometimes ride on bike paths for short distances. When I do, I have no expectations of riding at any kind of speed. I also expect people to do really, really dumb things and even then they come up with new dumb things that I have not even contemplated. It is my belief that it is much, much safer to ride out on the streets with the trucks and the buses where the people generally follow the rules of the road then to contend with erratic and unpredictable people on these paths.
I do the same thing myself. In fact, when I have to travel the short distances you mentioned (such as my trip to the shops), I generally just walk.
nathank
a bell works very well: sound the bell WELL BEFORE reaching the pedestrians so 1) you don't startle/scare them, 2) they have time to react (realize you are a cyclist and move) and 3) if they don't move you have time to go around/stop, etc.
the only real problem with bells is that some people find them rude/unfirendly (in Europe they are standard so it is not unfriendly). something that is much more friendly although a little less effective: "squeaky" toys --- i have a yellow tiger, but there are also cartoon characters, etc -- not sure if you can find them as easily in the US, but here you can buy toy figures with a squeaker in them that mount to you bars -- kids LOVE them and most people find them "cute" so people laugh as you pass rather than think "'@$! cyclist" -- but the range is not as good as a bell... (i have bells on all 5 of my bikes and the squeaker and bell on my MTB bike mainly for when i ride hiking trails where bikes may or may not be allowed...)
franklen
Ususally, from my knowledge, mixed use paths require bicyclists to yield to walking pedestrians. These paths are not for racing or training on your bicycle, but rather for transportation and recreational enjoyment. If you want to go fast, get on the road, otherwise you can enjoy and be safe on a multi-use path just as anyone else can, by slowing down and being proactive, instead of thinking that the peds will do so.
megaman
Ususally, from my knowledge, mixed use paths require bicyclists to yield to walking pedestrians. These paths are not for racing or training on your bicycle, but rather for transportation and recreational enjoyment. If you want to go fast, get on the road, otherwise you can enjoy and be safe on a multi-use path just as anyone else can, by slowing down and being proactive, instead of thinking that the peds will do so.
Good point, I find also that not being afraid to yell out "Passing on your left" has stopped almost every issue of people not moving or hearing. I also give them plenty of time.
I've had cyclists pass me without saying a word. To those fools I say "What's your hurry, you'll have an accident soon enough". The vast majority of the time these same people seem to think they own the trail. I always acknowledge when someone calls out a pass.
BTW, I don't think "on your left" is a proper call out. That could mean to the people hearing it that they are supposed to move left. Remember, they're probably walkers and never ride a bike.
ComPH
I preffer not to use "bike paths" for the reasons many here mentioned. Unpredicatable interference, sometimes sombined with rudeness. I prefer the road with bikelanes. One time I had "toed-in" brakes, so that they squeeled. As I approached someone to pass and just touched the brakes, the squeel got their attention and they'd move out of the way.
nick1111
On those paved bike paths I can avoid anyone without notifying them. If that means going off the path to keep a safe distance, I have no problem doing so. As for xc singletrack trails where there are sometimes hikers, I just say "excuse me" and pass slowly. Seems simple enough.
Daily Commute
Wow. Our bike path pedestrians are generally courteous by comparison. When I ring a lever ("brrrrrrring") bell well in advance of passing, the most frequent comment I get from pedestrians is "thanks."
There are a few jerks, of course. People with dogs off leash or on long leashes (but most dog owners hold their dogs by the collar when I pass). I'm thinking about carrying "Halt" for the free-roaming dogs. It worked when I was a kid delivering newspapers. It protects me, doesn't permanently hurt the dogs (it hurts less than getting hit by my studded tires), and teaches the owners a lesson.
GROUPS of joggers are the worst. Sometimes they go in groups of 10-20 four abreast. They seem to think that they have the right to all but 1' of the path (and they only grudgingly give that 1'). They are worst on weekend mornings. I think they are training for a marathon.
The exception to the group jogger problem is the local ROTC. I sometimes pass them marching on the way to work early in the morning. Someone shouts, "Bike!", then they all quickly move over to cover only their half of the path. If everyone were this courteous, the paths would be much more enjoyable.
LittleBigMan
I think the whole concept of multiple use paths is terminally flawed.
I was always told not to ride on the sidewalk, because sidewalks were for people walking, not riding bikes. I was taught to ride on the right side of the road (US) and obey all traffic laws (stop, yield, signal, etc.) This was for my safety and that of pedestrians. It also gave me a good foundation for learning to drive later on.
Now, we are not only told it's "OK" to ride bicycles around pedestrians, we are told this is for our safety. What has changed?
The only things that have changed are:
1) The perception that bicycles are anything more than recreational vehicles.
2) The value placed on our safety.
Allen H
My favorites:
1) the "clusters" of walkers who KNOW they share the path with bikers, but still take up the whole path, and "scatter" when you call.
2) other casual bikers with smaller kids, also biking, who approach you on the path... one on the right, one on the left!! PLEASE teach them to stay on the same side of the path, at least, for their own safety.
Daily Commute
I'd rather dodge pedestrians on a scenic path than have cars try to dodge me on the street. As long as I still have the street as an option, I enjoy having "multi-use" paths. And we still have the street. Between my home snd office I can take 1) bike paths; 2) a "bike route" which is just normal streets with occaisonal green signs; or 3) make up my own route on the streets.
The "bike routes" are generally wider and less traveled than major streets. They also appear to be priorities for snow and ice removal.
The move to turn bike paths into "multi-use paths" has had an unintended and, as yet, unnoticed implication. Ohio law requires that bicyclists follow the law on the street, as well as on paths "exlusively" reserved for bicyclists. It would be interesting to see if the State could enforce any laws against bicyclists on these paths.
pauncho
Two quick observations about bike path riding:
(1)Individuals are almost never a problem. Even the worst rollerblader swaying side to side down the middle while listening to earphones usually leaves enough space to get around. It's groups of people walking side-by-side to make talking easier who fill the entire width of the path and are oblivious to whatever is coming up behind them.
(2) NEVER say this to a nonbiker because it only makes them mad: The most dangerous people on a bike path, bar none, are the young mothers of preschool children who are taking a stroll and chatting with a friend while allowing the little ones to run in every direction with no awareness or warning. They block the full width of the path, are so focused on their friend's chatter that they barely notice the children and won't notice anyone coming up from behind, and completely believe they're entitled to.
Dchiefransom
Very interesting responses here. If we changed some of them around a bit, so it sounded like a vehicle driver on the road talking about cyclists, I wonder what people would think about that? These are pedestrians on a path, and the law says they have the right of way, just like we do on the road. Do we expect to be required to get out of the way for cars to pass us? I don't like to ride on paths because of this, and because most paths in my area are too narrow to pass one walker without going on the other side. The pedestrians that move out of the way and allow us to go by are doing us a courtesy.
iceratt
Very interesting responses here. These are pedestrians on a path, and the law says they have the right of way, just like we do on the road..
Actually it is irritating when pedestrians are on the bike paths around here, because the peds have their own paths that are further from the road and closer to creeks, lakes, and other scenery.
Allister
Very interesting responses here. If we changed some of them around a bit, so it sounded like a vehicle driver on the road talking about cyclists, I wonder what people would think about that?
If cyclists used the roads the way pedestrians used shared paths you might have a point. I follow the rules when I use the road, and as such experience little conflict. Pedestrians, under the mistaken impression that they have right of way whatever they do, act in a way that is a danger to everyone - taking up the whole path: illegal - stepping onto the path without looking for traffic: illegal and dangerous - walking on the bikes only part of a divided path: illegal etc etc etc.
Frankly, some cyclists on shared paths aren't much better, they ride too fast for the conditions, they ride on the wrong side and so on.
All in all shared paths and footpaths are simply too anarchic for safe sharing between two modes with such a large speed differential. That anarchy is quite ok when it is peds only, so I say leave them to it. The road is a much more disciplined environment and the speed differential poses less of a danger simply because of the predictablilty of everyone more or less following the rules.
closetbiker
it sounded like a vehicle driver on the road talking about cyclists,
...except that here, the pedestrian has all the weight of protection of the law but none of the responsibilities of prevention of accidents. On the road, everyone has protection if they follow the rules.
Cyclists must yeild to pedestrians at all times, regardless of the pedestrians behaviour. Hardly a fair or safe arrangement.
Merryish
I just yell "Biker up" (kind of an abreviated slang for Biker coming up )
So that's what that guy was shouting at me yesterday. I heard something and edged to the right, so we were cool, but I had no idea what he said until I read your post. Thanks.
I just call out "On your left!" as loud as I can, as far in advance as I can, and then keep my eyes peeled to see what they'll do. What gets me are the 'bladers with headphones on, weaving all over the path. They only notice me when I cruise back onto the right side of the path.
Erick L
I never say anything, I just pass. There's a yellow line in the middle and pretty much everybody respects it. It's extremely rare that I have to stop, much less making noise to be noticed. When it happens, I point out the yellow line.
MaximusHQ
I bike ride at night when no one is around. I can't remember the last time I was on my bike in the daylight.
Juha
Up here a bell "bling" causes mixed reactions. Some people get startled, some find it offensive, others (maybe 50%) actually realise what is going on. Things may be different in Germany, for example, with more cyclists riding around.
Just a few days ago I met a woman with a small dog. The dog was not in leash and was running a good 10-15 meters ahead of her. She heard me approaching, called for the dog in a scared voice (the dog stopped and looked back), then called for the dog again, raising her voice a bit (the dog was standing still). Finally she run to the dog and grabbed it with both hands. She reached the dog just as I passed them both.
I know nothing about training a dog, but here's what I thought anyway. If she suspects the dog might attack cyclists, she should not let it run unleashed on a mixed path to begin with. And if the dog is as peaceful as it seemed, her actions only teach it to associate cyclists with fear and anxiety, leading to attacks IMO. Next time she may be giving one of those "my dog has never, ever done that before..." -speeches, and be very truthful about it at least in her own mind.
--J
RiPHRaPH
just sing (badly) to your music.loudly.
Allister
Just a few days ago I met a woman with a small dog. The dog was not in leash and was running a good 10-15 meters ahead of her. She heard me approaching, called for the dog in a scared voice (the dog stopped and looked back), then called for the dog again, raising her voice a bit (the dog was standing still). Finally she run to the dog and grabbed it with both hands. She reached the dog just as I passed them both.
I know nothing about training a dog, but here's what I thought anyway. If she suspects the dog might attack cyclists, she should not let it run unleashed on a mixed path to begin with. And if the dog is as peaceful as it seemed, her actions only teach it to associate cyclists with fear and anxiety, leading to attacks IMO. Next time she may be giving one of those "my dog has never, ever done that before..." -speeches, and be very truthful about it at least in her own mind.
--J
I suspect she was worried the dog would dart under your wheels and hurt itself, which again begs the question; why didn't she have the thing on a leash if it's so poorly trained? Apart from anything else, isn't it illegal? I know it is here (something like a $300 fine for an unleashed dog in public).
Chris L
I suspect she was worried the dog would dart under your wheels and hurt itself, which again begs the question; why didn't she have the thing on a leash if it's so poorly trained? Apart from anything else, isn't it illegal? I know it is here (something like a $300 fine for an unleashed dog in public).
I doubt such a law would ever be enforced. In which case, it might just as well be totally legal.
Allister
I doubt such a law would ever be enforced. In which case, it might just as well be totally legal.
Maybe not by the police, but the City Council are mad keen on enforcing that one.
blendingnoise
I prefer yelling watch your left/right as with just a bell I found a lot of people turning around to look and stepping straight into me and getting really startled.
larue
I didn't read all the replies so I don't know if this has been pointed out yet, you said that you tell the pedestrians "excuse me" and you have a problem with them moving. The issue here is your choice of words, "excuse me" is something people hear everyday and it usually means someone wants to bug you for something, however the phrase "on your left" is uncommon in day to day life and people are not likely to have a habit of ignoring it as they do with "excuse me" and they will take notice whether they want to or not. Just try using "on your left" for now on and I'm sure you will see some improvements, just don't forget to be courteous and say thank when you pass them.
If that doesn't work maybe a bell is the answer for you.
formicalinoleum
I usually ride at a recreational area that is a loop around a small lake. On the interior is a pedestrian lane, then outside of that is a bike lane, and outside of that is a car lane (part is one way, part two way). The pedestrians are supposed to go counter-clockwise and cyclists clockwise. This makes great sense because it means that peds and cyclists can see each other and if a ped feels the need to move into the bike lane (e.g., a jogger passing walkers) they can clearly see if there are bikes coming.
But of course, that doesn't mean people always follow those rules. Plenty pedestrians walk clockwise. That's not too much of a problem as long as they stay in their lane. Some pedestrians walk in the bike lane, going either direction. That's highly annoying. The worst is when I encounter someone walking in the bike lane, going the same direction as me (i.e., back to me as I approach), with headphones on! Luckily I encounter them rarely. What I also find annoying is when I keep encountering the same person over and over (short loop, so I do lots of laps) walking in the bike lane. What would you all do? Would you point out to anyone in the bike lane that they are not supposed to be in it?
One of my most annoying pedestrian encounters was when I was mountain biking with some friends. We were on a flat and quite wide stretch of path. Towards us was walking a group of about 4 or 5 people, with a couple of dogs not on leashes. They took up the entire path. We were in a single line and slowed to about a walking pace. As we approached each other, they did not move at all so that we could get through. We couldn't actually get off the path--there was nowhere to go. As they went by us (finally parting at the last moment), one of them said "bikers are supposed to yield to pedestrians!". WTH?? What do they think "yield" means? Jump down into the creek? We were going so slow we were basically at trackstands. Not to mention they were disregarding the law about dogs having to be on leash. Grrrr.
roadie gal
There is one multi-user path around here that I'm forced to use because the road has no shoulder at that point and is much too dangerous. I used to yell "on your left" as I came up on people. Unfortunately, I found that people ended up looking over their left shoulder and then swerved into me. That goes double for small children. Now I yell "coming up behind you" from quite a ways back. That lets them know I'm coming and allows them to decide which way to move. I've found that most people appreciate the warning and move aside, especially if you do give them some time and not yell as you get up next to their ears.
As an aside... I've found that the most dangerous people on the path are the small children on bikes (with oblivious parents). They are completely unpredictable and are liable to swerve in any direction at any time. My roommate was forced off the path into a ditch by a little girl who was watching butterflies and careened into her.