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• Trail: Ring a bell
• Sidewalk: Ring a bell

Pedestrians behave very unpredictably in response to signals. On the Wilson Bridge path, most of the pedestrians walk in the middle or the left. If we state a few rules on ubiquitous signs, we would be much safer:
keep right, pass left.
give bell signal when passing.
slow when passing.
bicycles yield to pedestrians.
slower traffic keep right

I bias my answer in favor of a bell, only because the bell is required in at least one jurisdiction where I regularly ride. If a sign said "yell 'purple dinosaur' when passing" then I would do it.

I was a longtime runner on the W&OD before I became a cyclist. Only after I got on the bike did I learn that moving left is my worst course of action when someone is approaching from behind. I could have easily been the pedestrian that jumped right into a cyclist's path.

That said, I had a sense that "slower traffic, keep right" should govern the situation.

Cyclists should always be alert for unpredictable pedestrians. But like one of the Hobbits says, it's dangerous business stepping out your front door. I don't think you can charge a cyclist every time a pedestrian turns into their path at the last second.

by Michael on Jun 14, 2012 10:59 pm • link • report