Bell - yes or no?

[Deleted member 20519]

I need to stick my bell back onto my bike, when I was out on a group ride last week (15 of us or so), a guy told us off for not having bells and people were explaining to him that they aren't a legal requirement. Normally if I come up behind someone, I'll just wait. Seriously, no coughing etc, I just slow down and catch my breath behind them. Most of the time, they realise someone's there by the sound of my casette etc and then they move off to the side and get a thank you.

 

[vickster]

I am always thanked for tinging my bell from a little distance so people can move out the way or herd their hounds - I always smile and say thanks as I pass. People always apologise if the hound herdiing is unsuccessful and I have to slow or stop

Do it too close or just say 'excuse me' close by, IME, they'll more often than not move the wrong way into your path - this is how I came off 3 years ago and screwed my knee - two operations and irreparable damage to the bone later, I prefer the bell I tried to go past without startling a school girl

 

[Deleted member 20519]

Although now that I've put my bell on, I should really use it! Last week I cycled up behind a woman walking her dog and when there was room to pass, I gave her a 'Morning!' as I cycled bye, she nearly collapsed in terror.

 

[sabian92]

I personally never need to ask to get past people but if I need to get attention from somebody I just scream at them. Much easier.

 

[RedRider]

I have a bloke walk in front of me swinging one of these gizmos:

The toll of a plague bell gets people skipping aside sharpish.

 

[SomethingLikeThat]

Usually I just wait behind until they notice. You can't win if you have a bell - if you don't ring it people complain and if you do people think you're being rude and are trying to just push past.

 

[taximan]

Bell every time for me, I feel undressed without one.

 

[trampyjoe]

More cowbell!

I have a bell and use it frequently. Use it before going round blind bends, use it when approaching peds, use it when singing at the top of my voice and need some percussion. If all else fails, and I have the trailer on, my daughter normally has her toy bell and rings it with gusto when she's in the mood!

 

[ufkacbln]

Weird one on the Keswick cycle path yesterday


Approaching a group of ramblers, face to face.

I slow down and move to left, they keep on coming, so I stop and let them pass, as they break their full with posse.... One woman says

"You should have rung your bell you know!"

So I asked here why as I can see you, you can see me, what purpose would it have served

She replied

"Cyclists have to ring their bell when approaching walkers it's the Law!"

I don't thing laughter was the response she was expecting

 

[wheres_my_beard]

That all sounds very amusing.

You should:

be considerate of other road users, particularly blind and partially sighted pedestrians. Let them know you are there when necessary, for example, by ringing your bell if you have one. It is recommended that a bell be fitted

 

[Crosstrailer]

Very rarely use it but it is there if it is needed, better to have one than not

 

[Raymonda]

I have a bell and always use it on towpaths. I don't believe that it is in any way rude as most people are aware that bikes use them to alert other path users of their existence without having to shout at them. And everyone appreciates a thankyou as you pass.

 

[fossyant]

Bells on bikes, OMG you'll be telling me I need reflectors, a helmet and high viz next ?

Hate the things. I find it far more sociable to thank people and ride carefully around them - never need a bell when riding on the road - use of a bell suggests pedestrian shared areas which means all bets are off and ride slowly. No need for the bell.

If all else fails, you could charge up behind them, and pull a massive rear wheel skid ! That will wake them up.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

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

I agree, there have been times where one could have been used, but more due to the complacence of some pedestrians, I just took the appropriate action to avoid anything untoward, then when I passed I told them to use their eyes, just kids meandering across a main road without a care in the world, except they didn't even look to see if there was anything coming (whats more it was at a pelican cross on green for me) , as I have said in another thread, I have driving/ridden anything from bikes to trucks and have a good idea what other road users and pedestrians are about to do, so I very rarely have any trouble.

 

[Fnaar]

I used to have a bell, but I don't any more. Now I just make a klaxon noise