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  • Trail: Slow down, "Excuse me! Passing from behind! Thank you!"
  • Sidewalk: Slow down, Say nothing, "Excuse me! Passing from behind! Thank you!"

I learned when I moved to Japan and had to do this in another language that calling out "on your left" is not only useless but impolite. I tried several things and finally came up with just plain manners. In Japanese I would call out, "Excuse me! Coming from behind!" and as I passed I would call "Thank you!" And of all the remarkable discoveries, it turns out that this works best virtually everywhere I ride, regardless of region, language, or culture. Bells, whistles, shouting for people to clear the way for you as if you have more right than they do is very rude, and you will either be ignored--forcing you to work your way around them somehow--or cause an angry reaction. Manners and politeness are the absolutely most effective way to not only share a path between bicycles and pedestrians, but even the best way to drive down the highway. Just be considerate! It works!

by John Thiel on Jun 13, 2012 3:50 pm • link • report

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