Bell - yes or no?

[Sara_H]

I usually start dinging my bell from quite a distance so I don't strtle folk as I pass them.

I used to just say excuse me or some such, but folk used to complain that I didn't have a bell. I still find that people don't like a ringing bell, I think we're quite a defesive nation really.

 

[AndyPeace]

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.

You always get the odd few who are disgusted that you'd ask to pass by.... clearly an absence of cycling in their lives is causing them much misery

 

[wheres_my_beard]

Bell FTW. If we all do it, no one will be offended. We'll all just get on with our day.

I had a ride this morning for about 1/2 mile on a shared footpath/cyclepath, with everyone going in the same direction to the Tour of Britain finishing event in Norwich, so lots of people walking, and lots of peds to pass from behind. It was a real pain to shout out to peds, as they either were in a world of their own, or couldn't hear until you were literally right behind them. Their usual response was a combination of alarm, horror, confusion, mumbling about not hearing the bikes coming, and scattering across the path. When Mrs WMB used her bell, which she hates doing, it was like Moses parting the Red Sea; people simply drifted a little as a group to one side, with no grumblings or surprise, and we passed, thanked them, as usual and everyone seemed fine. For me, the difference is night and day, to be honest.

I don't have a bell as I don't use cyclepaths unless I'm riding with Mrs WMB.

 

[Pauluk]

I also think some people may have hearing difficulties and I imagine its easier for them to here the ping of a bell than a human voice but I'm not sure. I just don't fancy shouting out all the time and if they are close enough not to shout then I've probably got too close before a warning.

The bell is also useful on road to warn a pedestrian if they look as if they are about to step out in to the road.

 

[wheres_my_beard]

I love the double ringer at 24 seconds

 

[Stonepark]

Megahorn is what I use normally warn peds at 50 yards

 

[Pauluk]

We could have bells that play a pretty little ditty so as not to upset anyone. Now what tune springs to mind.

 

[wheres_my_beard]

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToFErVHAuLQ
?

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

I love the double ringer at 24 seconds

That's the sort I've got.

 

[AndyPeace]

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

They perphaps have limited use on the roads you ride, but could be useful on some roads. I've alerted pedestrians that look like they're going to cross the road, bikes can be so quiet and people don't always look. then there's bunny's, birds, cats and the like .I also ring my bell and wave at people I know as I pass them walking on the pavement...and I randomly ring my bell if I get flustered by bad driving, lol..stress relief for me! and to say hello to people's houses, streets or just for fun. So a bell works for me on the road as well as shared paths. Each to their own, there is no need for a bell on a road exclusive bike but it can have its uses

 

[Stephenite]

Bell - anyway, it's a legal requirement here in Norway.

Saves all the:
Pedestrian 1 to Ped.2:... and the dog ate the sick again...
Cyclist: Ahem!
Pedestrian: ...blah, blah, had to use my finger this time, blah..
Cyclist: I say, dear chap, do you mind awfully...
Ped: ?
Cyclist: Would you mind stepping to the side... velocipede... etc.
Ped: What?
Cyclist: Shared use path, etc. If you wouldn't mind...
Ped: Well, yes of course.
Cyclist: Thankyou very m...
Ped 1 to Ped 2: Well, I never..

Bell - end of story.

 

[wheres_my_beard]

Bell - end

No need for that.

 

[Eribiste]

My Pashley came with a rather splendid bell as standard, so it seems a shame not to use it. On our quiet lanes and roads in rural Worcestershire I give pedestrians, dog walkers and horse riders a ding-dong in plenty of time. So far, everyone has appreciated the warning. It's better than my heavy breathing coming stealthily from behind I reckon.

 

[Ticktockmy]

Personally, I prefer to use my voice, from about 50 feet away, a polite but fairly loud "Excuse Me", or "Coming By" and then a nice thank you once level. If passing a Horse its always a nice "Coming By" and a nice greeting to the rider. When I had horses, one of them though that cyclist were some form of wild animal, and would jump around if a cyclist tried to sneak past, at least a warning gave me time to prepare, and also he would know it was a human coming by.

 

[Red Light]

Depends on circumstances. When there are lone pedestrians or small groups around I prefer the cough or some verbal noise - even a "ding ding" - as its a very human interaction. But when there are a lot of pedestrians around and all over the place nothing beats a bell - a good old fashioned loud ringey bell, not a modern ding ding sort - to get you noticed. To do it verbally you would have to shout so loud to be heard above the noise of them all that it would be quite rude and aggressive whereas the bell has a friendly quaintness to it.