Honestly a lot of people have ear buds in and can’t hear you anyway.

I still ring my bell anytime I’m going to pass someone just in case but people aren’t paying attention.

I walk and cycle and jog at different times. As a cyclist I've been yelled at for using my bell. "I'm not in your way, why are you ringing that at me!" Not everyone prefers the same thing.

I do always slow when passing people and especially give children and pets a wide berth. Sometimes I also ring my bell or say "on your left." Sometimes people then step left.

A few years ago

I walk and I also cycle on the CCT. When I walk, I hate the callouts, they always startle me and interrupt my meditative state. I walk in a straight line, on the right, and assume a biker could pass at any time. When I bike, I call out gently, just to be polite, but I also give the walkers space.

I wish they would slow down while they are passing as well. They fly by and it's very hazardous.

Anonymous wrote:I commute 10 miles along the cct. I will give a heads up if people seem at risk of changing direction, but i pass about 200 people every day. If I had to shout out to all of them I would be hoarse. And half the time when I do call out it just freaks them out and they start jumping the wrong way. If people are just walking in a straight line there is no need to call out.

Same.

If someone is walking on their far right and there is sufficient space so I can pass them on the far left of the other side of the trail, I usually don’t call out.

Give heads up if they’re walking in center of lane or close to center of trail, or walking dogs or walking with children, or joggers cause these all are less predictable and could change direction or stumble into the left side of trail with no warning or even a glance back.

The chances of a walker who is walking steadily on the far right suddenly jumping to far left of the trail are close to nil.

Just stay in your lane. Go straight. If you need to veer or gesture wildly, check behind you first. Assume there's someone behind you

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I ride the cct daily and give verbal or bell warning of passing to all pedestrians. It’s pretty easy. Often throw in a “Good Morning.”

Do you have any special training to avoid getting hoarse?

I position my mouth so the sound goes towards their ears. So I don’t need to shout. I join the cct at about river road then on to past Georgetown. I typically pass about 10-20 pedestrian groups.

Anonymous wrote:I commute 10 miles along the cct. I will give a heads up if people seem at risk of changing direction, but i pass about 200 people every day. If I had to shout out to all of them I would be hoarse. And half the time when I do call out it just freaks them out and they start jumping the wrong way. If people are just walking in a straight line there is no need to call out.

Why can’t you get a bell? It’s frightening to have someone whiz past you when you’re walking.

Anonymous wrote:I ride the cct daily and give verbal or bell warning of passing to all pedestrians. It’s pretty easy. Often throw in a “Good Morning.”

Do you have any special training to avoid getting hoarse?

I ride the cct daily and give verbal or bell warning of passing to all pedestrians. It’s pretty easy. Often throw in a “Good Morning.”

We have lived close to a trail for 19 years, and this has always been an issue.

My issue is when people say "on your left" when they are literally already there, and don't leave enough time for us to react.

I commute 10 miles along the cct. I will give a heads up if people seem at risk of changing direction, but i pass about 200 people every day. If I had to shout out to all of them I would be hoarse. And half the time when I do call out it just freaks them out and they start jumping the wrong way. If people are just walking in a straight line there is no need to call out.

Degradation not dedication.

I walk on the canal regularly. I stay to the right and don’t have headphones because I like birds and so many times I have been surprised by cyclists just rolling up on me with no warning. No “On your left” or bell, nothing. Do people not learn this anymore or is it just another indication of the dedication of society?