Originally Posted by
davester
You should ring the bell when you're quite far from the pedestrian. Don't wait until you're so close that you startle them.
I rang my bell twice on a ride the other day while on a multi-use path. I think I gave the pedestrians enough warning time, but both times they stepped into my path rather than away. It seems to have something with going towards the sound of the alert, rather than fleeing from it. Maybe the gentle brrring of the brass bell just 'ain't cutting it.