commuting woes.

[i8urbrain]

Should I just buy a bell?? When I am riding to and from work, or threw the city at all, I use my voice as a way to let people know I am coming. I have a very loud voice. My "on your left" is noticed 20 feet ahead of me, to let people know I am coming. Recently I have been riding with a few other people to and from work. They say that people are pissed after I pass by. I wonder if they think I am angry? I am not, I just want them to know I am coming. People can ignore or tune out a bell. There is no missing a guy moving right along, on a bike path, who yells "On yer left." I see plenty of people who give no warning at all. I hate hitting joggers, skaters, and walkers. I also fail to see that 17mph is too fast to pass. Any suggestions? I am trying to be nice. There are also plenty of people that will not glance up as I am headed towards them. I will yell "Heads up" so they know I am there. I hate falling down because someone else is not paying attention. I doubt they like having a 200# guy run into them.

[hairygrump]

I don't know whether this matters or is an option to you, but this is why I have that rule I've mentioned before about never covering distance on the sidewalk. Because people walk there. I know that's unavoidable a lot of the time though, so I'm not judging or anythign.

Anyway, I don't think people would feel any less pissed if you dinged a little bell at them. They'd still feel like you were saying "Get out of my way," which bums people out no matter how you do it. Do like I do and just be as polite as possible and just be glad your leaving the pissed of spacehogs behind you.

[jonassterling]

Give the bell a try. You work at a shop, I'm sure there is one laying around. Slap it on your handlebars and ding away. I think you will find folks think happy thoughts when they hear the ding, ding of a bike bell. It takes them back to less complecated times, sunny days filled with laughter and bicycles, warm summer evenings staying out till past dark, and riding along with a group of young pals, just enjoying life.
Of course it could also remind them how much their life sucks now and you may end up with an umbrella in your spokes for your trouble.
But seriously try the bell, it works for me, and people seem less upset by it than verbal warnings.

[The Rose]

you know man pedestians are a strange breed. now i dont have much expierience with then on the road but in the trails they are a surly lot. maybe some of them have been mowed over before by ravinous armor clad bikers or maybe they just dont like to compromise. Ive had people get ticked at me in the trails for not pulling over far enough to the edge of the trail. you think they would just move over a bit and pass with a wave and a thankyou.nope. they shove by and give you a look like you just stole their last apple. i guess people go to the woods to walk and not see anyone and seeing you kind of ruins their good time. i know this doesnt really pertain to your question but try the bell i think its more pleasant than an spd cleat to the butt.

[i8urbrain]

I am using a bell after I go in tomarrow. This is a path that is made for cyclist and joggers. It has two lanes, and each one is wide enough for two bikers side by side if they can hold a line. My friends and I will do this when it is empty. In the morning I find cyclist can even pass and stay in the same lane. I give them a wide area, and they are fine. I think the pedos feel I am going too fast, and I am not pushing fast around kids, or anyone else who might be aware of my presence. That is why I sometimes yell. I want them to hear me with pleanty of time to react. I think the shout sounds like a bark to them, so I will ring the bell. It is the people with dog leashes or small children I do not trust, and I will still make sure they know I am coming around.

[maml]

I could never figure out how to rig a bell up for easy access, but my voice is always free. While pedestrians might not like being warned they are about to be run over, it always seemed they'd like it less if I plowed into them because I lost control. In two years of daily commuting on the Charles River bike path in Boston (busy in the summers, almost empty in bad weather) I never hit a pedestrian. I did get bumped by some guy making and expansive gesture, but we both agreed it was nobodies fault.