I agree with Bluetree--I have six different bikes (!), and three of them are friction shifters. I slow down just a tad and freewheel. EVERYONE knows the sound of an old freewheeling 10 or 12 speed bike, and they ALL move to one side or the other. They don't even need to turn around to identify what the sound is!

The index shifter bikes require an "On your left". It doesn't always work, but as Emily says, the cyclist is the one required to be cautious.

East Hill