The parents wouldnt forgive you either no matter whos fault it was.

If you hit someone while passing them, it was probably your fault. Slow down when passing if there's not enough room. This isn't rocket science.

Maybe it is because on j judy,he was passing a jogger and she moved into him and hit him in the side and it was his fault.

I'm still trying to figure what opps means.

I agree about slowing to pass but I can't believe that using a bell does nothing. It's been the single most effective warning device I've ever used. Far better than a human voice that blends in with all other human voices on the path. It's also a friendly sound that doesn't come off as a command or whatever. It cuts thru all other mechanical/human white noise like nothing else and is distinctive over longer distances. If you aren't getting results I would suggest simply ringing earlier and more often. I have never failed to get clear passage since using it. The one I use is no bigger than a quarter. It gives a pleasant but clear ting-ting sound. People turn and look. They almost always go to the right, often with a smile, and always in time.

The "on your left" notice is a recipe for disaster. If not for laws and modern medicine, half of us would be dead of stupity. A similar thing happened to me as with the OP. Sorry the OP ended up in court - my incident simply forced two Twalkers to collide as one went left and the other went right - into each other. I ended up in the bushes.

MUP's in general: A constant potential flashpoint in my opinion. To be used by cyclists sparingly, especially in good weather when all the Twalkers are out. In most cases, I think streets are better, or at least just as good, at getting you where you need to go. You can go as fast as you need to on streets. Do that on a path and you deserve all the grief you get (not implying that the OP was going hell-bent).

Even though I know better I still say "on your left". I think it is because I slow down, and actually enjoy watching the reactions. It's a MUP - I'm in no hurry if there are people present.

Kids ALWAYS swerve to the left, it's because they turn their heads to look and their hands follow (riding trikes or small bikes) just like every noob who is learning how to look back without swerving. I always plan ahead by slowing, early warning, consistant warning in a clear voice, and always have an escape route. Bike don't melt if they go off the path.

BTW - the comments about what exactly to say really are meaningless. I ride in an area where 9 out of 10 users don't speak English as a native language (mostly hispanic, Polish, Russian, etc.). They don't even understand what you're yelling, and you get the same kind of confusing reactions.

Nothing like watching 2 nice older ladies bump into each other because the one on the right goes left and the one on the left goes right. Especially when they have a good sense of humor. Everyone leaves that situation laughing.

BTW - does anyone know the Spanish equivalent of "On your left?" Is it "a las dereicho?" - sorry it's been a while....

Last year the Montgomery High Cross Country Team had a stretching session all over a major intersection of the Howarth Park MUP system. I carried my bike over and thru the kids and stopped next to the Teacher in charge. "Sir, , YOU are setting a bad example for your students by encouraging them to block a Public trail and deneying it to others who have a right to use it. Do I need to contact the Principle, the Mayor and the Police about your bad example? Or do I need a lawyer?" "We have a Right to be here" he said. "You do not have a right to block the entire trail." I meant to embarrass him in front of the kids and I guess it worked. Now when I pass the team during their workout in the park they all move over to the other side of the path.

Try a varient of that the next time a group of HS runners block you.