Originally Posted by BlazingPedals
Ring bell, wait for them to make a hole wherever, use hole. This requires a bit more time, but you never guess if you wait for them to make the move first. Don't blame the pedestrians; they have the right of way and there are no rules of the road that apply to them. I generally stay off paths because the safe speed is too low.
This is good advice. They key here is to give warning well in advance. I usually yell in friendly tones 'behind you' and let the ped make eye contact and shuffle in the direction they feel good going. The other key part here is that this works if there are only a few peds as it is clear who you are communicating to. If you are riding in an area where 'behind you' or a bell doesn't work because of more people, then you shouldn't be riding so fast in a shared multiuse area.
Al