Originally Posted by
Sy Reene
True. However, as somewhat demonstrated in post #40, for whatever reason, Peds treat a bike bell as a "request", and whether it's out of spite or simple disregard or cool factor, tend to take their time moving out of the middles of paths (often when walking 2-4 abreast). A loud freewheel (which I now happen to have, but didn't seek), yields a quite bit quicker move of a pedestrian over to the side -- my guess is the mind's instantaneous interpretation of that sound is along the lines that "a bike is coming and I don't know how fast or if they'll wait for me to move over."
You can still use both.
The loud freewheels are likely heard when you are close. They aren’t as loud to other people as cyclists think.
It surprises them (it’s too late and they don’t know what is making the noise). That’s why you get the startled, panic movement.