The Runbell Helps Runners Clear a Path

(Photo: Runbell)

When I'm running outside and I hear a bicycle bell, then I know that there's a rider behind me who wants to get by. But how do I pass by walkers easily without sounding obnoxious? Sometimes even saying (or gasping, in my case) "Good morning!" or "Coming up on your left!" doesn't get their attention.

The Runbell looks like a great solution. Kevin Nadolny and Tomoko Yano invented it to help them run through one of the largest cities in the world: Tokyo. It's a tiny bicycle bell that fits over two fingers. The user strums it with the thumb. It comes with silicone inserts so that it can be worn with or without gloves and still fit easily.

-via NotCot


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No, the warning "on your left/right" is not for you, the walker or the person being passed, to move but to let them know that I, the runner who is passing you, is coming up on your right or left so don't go that way.

The rules of running is the same as with driving and sailing...the vehicle passing has to watch out for the one being passed.
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When I was a driving instructor, I found that roughly a third of people can't get their left and right sorted out reliably. I'd be very reluctant to ride past anyone assuming they had a) heard me, b) understood me, and c) got the right right.
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I find 'on your left' to be more rude than a simple ding from a bell. Whether someone decides to move is up to them - shared pathways and all, everyone has a right, but it is nice when people who are slower do get out of the way without me having to stop.
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