Bells on bikes...

[nasserblue]

Am I the only one that finds this extremely annoying. I hate it. What's wrong with engaging with pedestrians and asking them nicely if you can pass, rather than this antagonistic little tinkling sound, which is meant to sound like "excuse me, I am sorry to bother you, but you may not be aware of my presence, so if you could just take care for a moment I'll pass quietly by the side of you. Thanks", but actually comes across as "f*** off out the way t*****, you are slowing me down and I'm more important than you!". Which I believe is exactly the attitude of drivers that we object to, but at least car drivers have the decency not to be hypocritical about it.

 

[fossyant]

Just get an airzound then. That will show ya..............

 

[ComedyPilot]

I have a bell (got it for touring the Netherlands) and when I use it I get looks of 'Alright, we'll get out of your way!', before I had the bell I used to call out in a friendly manner, 'Coming through on the right/left', only to be met with a curt, 'Where's your bell?'

 

[Lizban]

Am I the only one that finds this extremely annoying. I hate it. What's wrong with engaging with pedestrians and asking them nicely if you can pass, rather than this antagonistic little tinkling sound, which is meant to sound like "excuse me, I am sorry to bother you, but you may not be aware of my presence, so if you could just take care for a moment I'll pass quietly by the side of you. Thanks", but actually comes across as "f*** off out the way t*****, you are slowing me down and I'm more important than you!". Which I believe is exactly the attitude of drivers that we object to, but at least car drivers have the decency not to be hypocritical about it.

A bell followed by a loud clear thank you and I've never had any problems.

Amount of times I have said excuse me when cycling at less than walking pace, the walkers turn see me think I'm going quickly and jump with alarm.

Bells are polite.

 

[BSRU]

Although I do not use it very often, by avoiding shared paths, never had anyone complain about my bell, it is a ping bell so not that loud and certainly not aggressive.

 

[beanzontoast]

Better the bell than nothing at all!

 

[John the Monkey]

It comes from people's perception of the car horn - as one writer pointed out, it's supposed to be mean something along the lines of

"Ahem"

what it often actually means is

"OI! DICKHEAD".

To avoid this perception, simply ring your cycle's bell, and once satisfied that you have been heard, cease to do so. Do not ring your cycle bell as though you were trying to raise the alarm about a nearby fire.

Optionally, you may choose to thank/pass the time of day with pedestrians who have moved out of your path.

Do not, under any circumstances, brandish your frame pump and bear down on the people blocking your path at speed, whilst shouting "VALHALLA!"

 

[sheddy]

The British Waterways 2 Tings campaign - http://www.waterscape.com/canals-and-rivers/regents-canal/two-tings

 

[jimboalee]

Bell?

http://www.sportsdirect.com/dunlop-cycle-horn-939200?src=google

 

[schlafsack]

Agree with the OP. I don't have a problem with them in principle, but often find the use of them quite objectionable, particularly in London. I've mentioned to a number of fellow cyclists that bells, no matter how hard or fast you ring them, will not make the pedestrians disapear.

 

[jimboalee]

Bells only have one use.

When a bike shop advertises on the local radio.

 

[Globalti]

A bike bell is perfectly suited to warning pedestrians of the silent approach of a bike. Everybody recognises it, it's inoffensive, it's exactly the right volume and a bell costs very little money.

The only problem is that sometimes older walkers don't hear bike bells.

 

[Moodyman]

I always 'ting - ting' through the city centre of my commute - even if there's no peds crossing. I do it on a precautionary basis so that nobody steps out without looking. Never received any unwanted looks.

 

[Moodyman]

The only problem is that sometimes older walkers don't hear bike bells

Neither do young i-pedestrians (ones with MP3 headphones).

 

[davefb]

+1 for the bell... though i'm not sure if i prefer the 'old school RRIIIIIINNNG' or the new little one ting ones..

you kinda use them on a 'good bit before' basis, not the 'OY' and they just help the peds ..


and when i've been abroad, they've been helpful to make me get out the cycle path ..


airzound for cars though!