Today I used my bell (well in time) to warn two pedestrians with a buggy in front of me. Instead of just paying attention and give way, they stumbled up on the hill beside the path, with the buggy and all, to let me pass. Me, on a bike, on a three meters (at least) wide bike/pedestrian path. Why was that?

I think using the bike’s bell (plinging as we say in Sweden) means different things depending on where you live. If you live in a country where people bike a lot, then people react instinctively to the sound and give way and that’s it. In Sweden though, leisure cycling is not so common (I think I met like 3 other cyclists during my one hour trip in the suburbs), and so ringing the bell is like honking.

(Disclaimer: I didn’t mind them jumping away from the path – better that than no reaction at all – I was just confused.)