The Ultimate Brakeless/Front/Rear/How many brakes? thread

I was riding along a very wide path trying to get from one main road to another through a local nature park. It is widely used by cyclists and commuters (it is a legitimate 'Green Wheel' cycle way) - it was a wet day and there was almost nobody else around.
I was riding along when I saw a group of 4 adults up ahead taking up the whole path. I called ahead and they all moved to the left, I started to pass on the right and when I had about half a meter to a meter of stopping time a woman from the group suddenly without looking walked into my path. I collided with her and was knocked to the ground with her on top of me skidding on my handlebars, pedal, hip and wrist. She was absolutely fine but my wheels are buckled, need new bar tape and I'm still sore.

I ride the path several times a week and make sure people are aware of me by shouting ahead and waiting for them to move over. I wasn't going very fast but I was left with very little time to stop.

maybe get a bell