Agree with the others that it takes too much time for the peds to process "on your left", though I find cyclists and skaters are familiar with it. It seems that "passing left (right)" gets processed a little faster, so that's what I use now if there isn't enough escape room should the ped decide to move left (right).

+1 that bombing down ped-crowded areas is just asking for an accident. I also find that going slow in ped-crowded areas makes it easier for me to check out the hotties.

Hope you recover fully and quickly soyboy.