Bell - yes or no?

[oldfatfool]

They are all ignorant chav mo-fos on the local cycle path, if a polite excuse me doesn't work a long blast on the airzound does.

 

[iwchris]

I cycle on shared pavements and cycleways, and always use a bell, I do tend to ring it quite early as I don't like to startle people, only just yesterday I was on a cycleway and rang my bell and the guy said as I went past "how nice to have a cyclist that rings a bell" I guess that a lot of cyclists don't bother.

Chris

 

[AndyPeace]

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.

what's up with reflectors? worried they'll add to much weight to your bike?

 

[speedygoo]

Always yes with the bells, some people especially those hard of hearing may have difficulty picking up the tone of a call or a shout.

a bell is a good clear sound, and also in some cases like blind corners where pedestrians might be i always find a ring on the bell beats the hell out of riding round a corner saying is there anybody there?!?!

 

[fossyant]

what's up with reflectors? worried they'll add to much weight to your bike?

My commuter has lots of them, the three others have none.

 

[Pauluk]

Now we've moved from the OP of bells to reflectors I think it's fair game to ask: Does anyone remember jamming coloured smartie tops in your spokes when you were kids.

I'll get my coat ....

 

[AndyPeace]

My commuter has lots of them, the three others have none.

I can see how they might be excessive on a track use bike, A BMX dedicated to riding on parks, a Jump bike and to an extent off road bikes, but if they're used regularly on the road I do not understand.

 

[Licramite]

I find a single ding (I have a dinger not a ring ringer ) about 20yds away and slow down is enough for pedestrians and others to know you are thier and move over and
with a merry morning or thank you as I pass.

I whish other cyclists would ding me before they pass me as I really cannot here them coming up behind me.

its obviously a very personel thing to bell or not to bell , that is the question.

 

[Sandra6]

I like to have a bell, but it depends on the "ting" it makes.
I have one that sounds quite rude and one that is more friendly, which I am aware makes very little sense.
I teach the children to use their bells because small voices are generally ignored by bigger people, whereas with a bell they don't know how big the cyclist is!
I have in the past used the bell, then said excuse me, then yelled in annoyance because the people and dogs still refused to move -and was then told that I needed to get a bell. Some people are just deaf/ignorant/stubborn.
I don't understand people who clearly see you approaching and still refuse to get out of the way.

 

[Eribiste]

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.

That's even better than the 'White Star Line ice warning' bell on my Roadster Sovereign!

 

[Peddlar]

Definitely bell, I use it to approach blind bends on cycle paths, warn (sketchy) peds and usually follow it up with a thanks/cheers... or if they're moany.. "just letting you know I'm here".. seems to be better than a bike in the arse

 

[Crankarm]

I like to have a bell, but it depends on the "ting" it makes.
I have one that sounds quite rude and one that is more friendly, which I am aware makes very little sense.
I teach the children to use their bells because small voices are generally ignored by bigger people, whereas with a bell they don't know how big the cyclist is!
I have in the past used the bell, then said excuse me, then yelled in annoyance because the people and dogs still refused to move -and was then told that I needed to get a bell. Some people are just deaf/ignorant/stubborn.
I don't understand people who clearly see you approaching and still refuse to get out of the way.

Airzound.

 

[Licramite]

If you want a whole range of opinions from - are you mad! - to they are so rude , to I,m an ignorant person who needs to learn to ride a bike.

go to Get A bell. - its a bit of hoot.

this discussion seam much more reasonable

 

[Nearly there]

Today I approached a woman pushing a pram on my local cycle path so I slow to a near stand still approx 20 feet away and said "Excuse me please"So she moves to the left,so as I pass I say thank you as always then she says "You should have a bell"At this point I choose to ignore and pedal off,then still in ear shot I hear her say "Hey im talking to you"Riding on I thought maybe I should actually have a bell

 

[number3]

Just shout "ding ding" with your mouth