Bell - yes or no?

[Skyrocket]

This was something that occurred to me the other day, as I have a horse and ride out on her, I've always thought it important to display good manners, saying thank you to people letting me through, not galloping about etc and I imagine it's the same with cyclists.
When riding my bike on the same path as pedestrians I wasn't sure quite what to do when approaching them as I was aware they didn't always know I was there. I don't have a bell on this bike so I called out excuse me and then they would know I was there but I wondered if I had a bell on whichever bike I get is it the done thing to ring the bell or not?

 

[vickster]

From me, yes. I use mine quite a lot when i ride through the park to warn dog owners...and also shared paths generally Can get for 99p from Tesco or Wilkinsons

 

[Pauluk]

Yes. I use canal tow paths for my commute and always use my bell. Warns peds of your approach and useful for blind bends.

Do it in plenty of time so as not to surprise them.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

I don't like bells, they are not social and kinda have the feeling of demanding that another person gets out of the way. I much perfer a request to pass with a polite excuse me, good morning/afternoon and thank you if they permit you to pass.

 

[Primal Scream]

Yes..

 

[AndyPeace]

Yep! I love my bell and pedestrians usually appreciate it, especailly if you slow down and ring your bell a good distance. Some people will jump out of the way, probobly from their experience of cyclists who don't warn of their approach. It also gives dog walkers chance to distract their pet, call them over, or warn you of their behaviour (there is a dear old deaf and sight imparied dog on my route, lol).

If pedestrians don't know your there they could easily side step into your path, swing their arms out, randomly change direction or start dancing a jig... they're bloomin unpredictable.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

As I ride only on the road never use one, not had the need to.

 

[BrazingSaddles]

Hmmm...I have a bell, but I will often say a loud "Hello, cyclist coming!". Sometime it might be "cyclist up on your...right..." if I believe that bit of info would be digested properly! I find bells can sometimes seem a little trill and less personable.
When approaching a horse & rider I make sure I use my voice.
I do also talk to animals in fields I pass (in their language), so maybe I am simply a little bit odd!

 

[AndyPeace]

I don't like bells, they are not social and kinda have the feeling of demanding that another person gets out of the way. I much perfer a request to pass with a polite excuse me, good morning/afternoon and thank you if they permit you to pass.

It depends on how you use the bell. slow down, ring your bell, greet people... but equallly so any way of alerting them to your presence is good practice, even if there is space to pass safley I still alert people.

 

[biggs682]

yes from me

 

[Pauluk]

I don't like bells, they are not social and kinda have the feeling of demanding that another person gets out of the way. I much perfer a request to pass with a polite excuse me, good morning/afternoon and thank you if they permit you to pass.

They are social and if used correctly are very much appreciated by peds. Some have even thanked me for the bell as I pass. Just don't leave it until you're nearly on their shoulder.

 

[Nigel-YZ1]

I've always just spoken to people. A cheery excuse me and thankyou is all I've ever needed.
Only one person in 14 years has ever tried to tell me off for not ringing a bell, and I just think he was being a miserable git for the sake of it. He heard the 'excuse me' and chose to ignore it.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Another vote for a bell here. I personally favour one of these: (link) which makes a loud, old fashioned "ding-dong" that makes people smile as well as being noticeable from a distance.

I don't like the little ones that just go ping, as if you ring it once people often don't notice but if you ring it several times they think you're being pushy. No winning with that.

 

[Skyrocket]

I think a bell is definitely the way to go then although will still say excuse me etc when necessary. People were in general very pleasant to me when I passed them anyway but then I think they probably thought I was a bit 'special' with my beaming smile and pink bike!

 

[Gez73]

I am lucky not to need to use shared paths but in the past when on recreational rides I found it more polite and social to say excuse me or whatever you feel comfortable with. I always found a bell antisocial and a little rude, like beeping a car horn when the lights change but the first car has yet to pull off sort of thing.