Do you use a bike bell?

[KnottedYet]

I like these bells. Especially the Betty Page-style pinup devil with her bike on her shoulder.

http://www.somafab.com/hellsbells.html

I usually do a 3 part holler when I pass. "coming up behind you" "passing on your left" "thank you".

If you just shout "left" or "on your left" the pedestrians don't always know what you mean. (other bikers will) Walkers will often think you are telling them to move to the left, and they will do that and so end up right in front of you.

If/when I get a bell I'll use it for advanced warning before my hollering.

[Selkie]

Knotted -- I like those bells w/'tude. "Bad Car" is my favorite!

[Resi]

I don't know about "passing on your left" here in Texas.... some people don't know where the left is. I like bells, a loud one, so they can hear, well if they hear...

But also to say, lot's of joggers or walkers are thankfull for the warning

Therese

[Grog]

If you just shout "left" or "on your left" the pedestrians don't always know what you mean. (other bikers will) Walkers will often think you are telling them to move to the left, and they will do that and so end up right in front of you.

If/when I get a bell I'll use it for advanced warning before my hollering.

Maybe I should get a bell for the road bike:

I should have had a bell the other day. After spending about 6 weeks in Montreal riding my bike, I came back to Vancouver (where I live now). I sit on my bike for the first time and head out to a ride during which I have to cross a bridge. Both bikes and peds are on the sidewalk, which is one-way for bikes, and it's decently arranged, I have yet to see a real conflict there despite heavy bike/runners traffic. So anyway, there I go, spinning up the bridge. I approach a guy on a heavy mountain bike slowly crawling up the hill, so I call

"J'arrive par votre gauche. Restez sur votre droite." (Coming on your left. Stay to the right.)

Yes, in French. With a great smile in my voice, but in French. Of course, he doesn't move. So a little louder, he probably has headphones, right? He turns a little bit, sees me and moves to the right. I pass him and say 'Merci! Bonne journée!' (Thanks, have a great day!) with the same smile, which he doesn't return.

I did that exactly twice on the bridge, with the same results. As I was going down the bridge, I just realized that I was speaking the wrong language for the circumstances. I just as nicely told the next person that I was 'passing on her left', and she moved accordingly.

Multiuse trail users here are better trained than elsewhere, but only in English! I should get a bell for the road bike maybe...