BIKE: Statesman Editorial: Cyclists: Be Careful

[Travis Weller]

>>...This is why announcing "on your left" is a good idea.
>
>You're presuming that the inattentive pedistrian will 1) Know that you're
>talking to them and 2) Comprehend what you're saying.  I my experience it
>doesn't help, but I agree it's a good idea for the few that do get it.
>
>What _would_ help is more signage reminding everyone to keep right unless
>passing.
>
>I can't speak for trails, but it seems to me that "Right of Way" for trails
>should follow that of roadways: Right of way isn't a right to be assumed,
>it's an obligation to be given.

In my experience, 9 pedestrians out of 10 walking in the same 
direction will not be listening for someone yelling warnings like "on 
your left." Most times this is due to headphones or a conversation 
with the other people blocking the path. The end result is often 
slowing to a stop and saying "excuse me" right in their ear while 
walking my bike around them (as they look suprised to see me there).

For some reason, bells just aren't as effective as they are in 
Holland and other European cities where bikes are generally accepted 
as transport. Which makes sense... because it seems that bike-ped 
paths aren't viewed as "Transportation Corridors" like all roads are. 
Until that perception changes, I don't think you'll be seeing any 
more helpful signage except for the occasional reminder to curb your 
dog.

Which is why, if I'm trying to get somewhere in a hurry, I don't take 
the town lake trails west of I-35 and east of MoPac.

-Travis