Originally Posted by
stonefree
"hold your line", "clear the path" or "beggar off" is too scary for this area. I'm not interested in spreading that kind of feeling. "passing" or "on your left" is adequate and that's what the local bicycyle cops use.
People jump out of their skin as it is, at least they can choose to walk with dignity and not fear when they hear a bell. So I've belled two of my frequently used bikes.
You have to slow down here to pass anyway because all local hike and bike paths have rules that require bikers and skaters to yield to everything else.
Most don't issue a warning at all, however. Silence seems to be the rule.
Sometimes when someone does something rude, is called on it, and then issues more rudeness then beggar off or even %$#@& off becomes what you really want to say..... I still say, a light ring on the bell, sort of a ringgg and not a RINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and the follow that up with "PASSING ON YOUR LEFT..." is the most appropriate response.... Now of course PASSING ON YOUR LEFT would be replaced with PASSER VOTRE GAUCHE in Quebec and DANDO SU IAQUIERDA in Mexico and parts of the US. In parts of Toronto or New York you might even find שעבר שלכם עזבו , ونقل عن ترك لكم, прохождение слева от Вас or 傳遞你的左邊 as the best way to get a response. Although typically those who speak Hebrew, Arabic, Russian or Chinese, usually know what the bell means, so you don't need to say anything.....