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I second (or third?) the need for more education on "trail etiquette". I still remember my first experience riding on an urban trail, and the signs at entrance points introduced me to what felt like a new world: clear instructions that pedestrians had the right of way, what calls should be used and how both parties ought to react.

Perhaps weekend attendants to help pass out information or explain the norms of the trail for short bursts of time (at the start of summer when use increases) could help spread the word.

Finally, I'll add that I much prefer to use a bell over my voice. Part of it is purely aesthetic; if I'm out for a ride (I'm always on an upright commuter bike and consider the pursuit to be rather leisurely), yelling at pedestrians every few yards puts a damper on the experience. BUT, it also avoids much of the confusion on right v. left. (I've found many folks instinctively move to the side of the trail with the bell, very rarely in front of me; with vocal signals it's more of a mixed bag.)

Hopefully my cheery little bell doesn't come across as rude! It is certainly not intended that way. (Unless you're one of the mobs of folks on, say, the Mall who totally ignore it even as I ride at a snail's pace while you block the entire path searching your map in vain for a nearby place to eat. But that's annoying for pedestrians, too, right?) (That's when the loud, polite, but somewhat pointed "Excuse me!" comes in handy.)

by Elle on Jun 12, 2012 9:16 am • link • report