disclaimer:This is not an attempt to start anew a conversation as to what is the appropriate warning to use when approaching walkers, a topic that as been discussed multiple times.

I went for a walk the other night. and was much surprised to heard the phrase "on your left" behind me. What I found interesting is that my body went left even as my brain said go right. It was if my instinctive physical response overrode or rode over(weak pun intended) what I knew to be the correct move to make. Weird!

It's because most people naturally go where they look or where their heads are turned. It takes practice and concentration to look one way and continue straight. All racers must practice this, whether runners, cyclists, motorcyclists or drivers.

Usually when I approach pedestrians from behind and there's any doubt about their intentions, I slow to slightly faster than their walking pace and announce "Bicycle behind you" in a conversational tone and volume. Then I move into the space they vacate, whichever way they go. Usually they move to the right.

If they're already far to the right and seem to know I'm approaching (if they peek over their shoulder, etc), I may pass slowly without announcing. Sometimes folks seem startled. Others have ear buds in and won't hear anyway.

And that works out pretty well most of the time. Once in awhile a fast approaching cyclist behind me or approaching from the other direction complicates things a bit, but I've gotten into the habit of passing much more slowly than I used to. I feed my need for speed away from the multi-use path. So when I'm on the MUP and trails I take it easy around pedestrians, joggers and slower cyclists. I can always speed up again after I'm clear of other folks. Good opportunity to sprint between those slowdowns, if I need to stretch my legs a bit.

Do you think you would have done the same if you heard a bell instead of a voice with the word "left" ? I think bells are usually better

that's interesting. my pet peeve is when ppl are looking in one direction as they walk, but their bodies are slowing moving in the opposite direction. meaning, looking right as they wander left. wonder if it's related

From my mountain biking days we used to say "Look where you want to go, not at what you want to miss." I still find that advice hard to follow sometimes.

FWIW, I live 2 miles from Missouri's Katy Trail so I ride on it a lot. I've found a tiny little "ting, ting" Incredibell to be about 50% effective with pedestrians. The other 50% are pretty much oblivious to anything.

Canklecat may be on to something. I probably heard left, instinctively looked left and moved left. In my defense, I was on a sidewalk and would have stepped into the street if I had moved to the other left. Operator error on my part. I usually use the phrase "rider back" and wait for everyone to settle down. A bell would work just as well, I expect, although I probably would have jumped straight up! Ironic that I was passing under the bike trail bridge at that moment.

I say onyerleft as a warning to let others know I am passing.

They really don't need to look back or move. I consider it more of a warning that I am present so they don't move into my line of travel.

Unless the one being passed is blocking the center of a lane or making it impossible for the passer to get by, there really is no need to move or look back. It's more of a warning to avoid interference.

This is an interesting video. It's Japanese, but you can figure out what's going on. He rings his bell and watches what the pedestrians do.

[QUOTE=BlazingPedals;20741509]This is an interesting video. It's Japanese, but you can figure out what's going on. He rings his bell and watches what the pedestrians do.

/QUOTE]Very cool!

I've noticed that, on wide trails, I can sometimes make noises & that's enough of a warning for ppl ahead to know I was approaching. BUT - older ppl don't have the same hearing ability!

I wonder if signage on the rail trails wouldn't be a bad idea.

I say "on your left" and get about a 50% response. The other half have earbuds and wouldn't hear me if I fired a gun. I say it anyway and ride by them at a slow speed. I try to be unfailingly polite in the hopes that I"m stocking points in my karma bank. I say thanks, give a small wave. Just like I do when I'm on the road and drivers yield to me.

How far behind you was the rider when he or she called out? Typically riders who voice announce do so as they are passing. Normal reaction is to turn in the direction of the sound which is then alongside you. Had he or she announced further back you would have reacted differently.

The trouble with voice warnings is that a rider who wants to provide sufficient warning must raise their voice significantly, and since that is perceived as rude yelling, many are loath to do it and instead rely on a friendly quiet warning far to close to be effective. I use a bell because it can be heard from a distance and is recognisable to most, though I have been yelled at for not calling out "on your left" in addition to the bell.

"Just three paved feet to the right of the white fog stripe is all I need."

It may be all you need, but many drivers look at the white line next to a bike path and forget the 3 feet to the rider. Too close for me.

I ring my Mickey Mouse Bell and say PASSING ON YOUR LEFT or PASSING LEFT

IMO, on your left is ambiguous and non informative

"Bike passing" or "Coming around" or "ding ding" or "Excuse me sir, I am about to overtake you" all work. But I usually just ring my bell, and I don't really care what their response is as long as they don't wander in front.

Hey RG!
I find a lot of the oblivious people on trails are often listening to music. If I see earbuds, I don't even bother saying On Your Left anymore.

I wonder if the reaction is because Japan is one of the countries that drives on the left side of the road? They either went left or spread out left and right.

I would guess that would affect how you react; you've spent your lifetime being trained in how to respond. It's like the "slower traffic keep right" signs in the US. I wonder if that were repeated in the US if people would move to the right?

On the MUP, I Ring my bell well back of them , dog walkers and others on the river-walk.. they react appropriately for themselves, and I pass with a 'hello' ..

When equipped with a bell, I'll ring it. Without, I call out "coming up behind!" I don't call out left/right as that's often where they'll go. I take whatever side they give me, and offer a pleasant "Thank you" as I pass cautiously.

-Kedosto

This is why I like handlebar bells, they sound nice and also give a slightly longer warning,and not yelling which some people may find aggressive.

I've also noticed that when saying 'On your left' people will often step to their left, or as mentioned look over their left shoulder and walk the direction their head is turned.

So I tend to announce with 'Good morning' (or whatever time of day it is), and I find that people don't turn around but will instead edge toward their right to let me pass. Maybe the absence of the word 'left' has something to do with their reaction.

I ran into all sorts of situations and the bell is the most consistently effective tool. On your left or rider back is ok , it just doesn't seem to work as well. And then there is the stinking ear buds! Drat!!! They wouldn't hear anything no matter what you do.