Quote:
Originally Posted by Gladys Turnip
"On Your Left" does not // will not startle a walker or endanger anyone as long as it it given a sufficient distance in advance. This gives the walker time to slide a bit more to the right (to make both safe). The startling happens when the first thing the walker knows about the bike is when it is passing him/her, just inches away to the left.
A loud, robust "On Your Left" provided far enough in advance is courteous and will keep both walker and biker safe.
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A loud, robust "On Your Left" *will* startle some, including me. Any loud, robust sound will startle some. If given enough in advance then the walker can recover from being startled and all is good.
Three possible concerns:
1. If given too close, the announcement could startle the walker causing them to move the wrong direction
2. Some may not hear the announcement over the music they are listening to.
3. Not everyone has a loud, robust voice
Still, a loud, robust "On Your Left" will help more often than it will hurt.