Oh my god! I was just explaining this to some co-workers this morning. I discovered it several years ago walking down a very crowded 8th Avenue in midtown NY. Just keep your eyes focused about 50 feet out and people will get out of your way. Somehow, even people who appear to be distracted or walking sideways talking to someone else pick up on your body language. I love teaching this to people!

Another (mean) trick that you can try requires a confederate. Apparently, people will sort of unconsciously fall into a V formation behind the first person/people crossing a street. Normally the leader on either side will avoid each other and the Vs mesh with minimal collision. You and your co-conspirator can set yourselves up at the front of a crowd on either side of a street. When the walk sign comes on, walk directly into each other and enjoy the pile-up behind you.