Bells on bikes...

[psmiffy]

I do not understand the hysteria about bells - personaly if I am on a shared path where there are pedestrians I prefer a few bars of Bohemian Rhapsody as I approach - soon attracts the attention of all but the ipod zombies - but having read the first part of this thread last night I lodged a bell on the handlebars for my ride to the gym - no less or more effectivea and did not feel particulaly aggressive - nor did it elucidate aggressive responses from the recipricants - I Have always fancied an airzound but have decided it is a piece of clutter too far and I would probably only ever use it in retaliation against drivers - I think I will probably stick to murdering the collective works of Mr Mercury and his mates

 

[davefb]

Nothing wrong whatsoever with a "polite tinkle". However, often in town I hear repeated sharp pinging that seems to demand "everyone shift because this bike is coming through!" Half the time the cyclist isn't even covering their brakes, let alone applying them.

It's the same as with so many things - in theory they're fine but it depends on the way people use them.

ahh,,

is that on a shared use path though, or is the cyclist tearing thru a pedestrianised area ?


still, better than those who go thru massed peds assuming you'll get out the way without even making any effort to warn you

 

[Dan B]

often in town I hear repeated sharp pinging that seems to demand "everyone shift because this bike is coming through!" Half the time the cyclist isn't even covering their brakes, let alone applying them.

is that on a shared use path though, or is the cyclist tearing thru a pedestrianised area ?

Makes no odds. There is no rule nor reasonable expectation that says pedestrians on a shared use path should get out of the way of bikes - any more than there is a rule saying bikes on a road should get out of the way of cars. To expect otherwise is rude

Which is not to say that the slower users in each case can't also be rude - for example, by travelling five-abreast across the full width of the path and blocking it for everyone behind them. Usually a little bit of consideration by both parties is necessary and sufficient for the good-natured sharing of a shared resource

 

[fossyant]

All this talk about bells, and even the best ones to buy........... I'm off to sit in a dark corner ... you'll be talking about triple chainsets next and Marathon + tyres

 

[theboytaylor]

ahh,,

is that on a shared use path though, or is the cyclist tearing thru a pedestrianised area ?


still, better than those who go thru massed peds assuming you'll get out the way without even making any effort to warn you

Coruskate makes a good point, it shouldn't really matter where you are.

However, just to be clear I was referring to neither of those examples (unless by pedestrianised area you mean anywhere where there might be pedestrians), but to cyclists on the road coming through rush hour traffic - Nasserblue's profile says he's from London and I kind of guessed that he was referring to the situation I often see in London:

Pedestrians are crossing the road through stopped traffic (having ascertained there is reasonably safe passage) and a cyclist will coming zooming down the inside or outside of the traffic pinging their bell for all their worth but not making any effort to brake or allow the pedestrians to complete their crossing. Not "ping, ping, hello everyone, coming through, thanks awfully", but "PING PING PING PING, MOVE!!!!!!"

As User wisely says
[QUOTE 1186604"]
So it's not about bell v. voice, but about how you use either?
[/quote]

 

[thefollen]

I quite like the bike bell; normally used as a pre-emptive measure when a pedestrian doesn't bother looking to the right before beginning to cross. Always give the right shoulder swervability check just in case they ignore it. Amazing how after a while cycling you can usually anticipate people and vehicle's likely actions at a glance. Front of bus/behind large vehicle emergers are the worst! The bell is good to shoo people off cycle lanes too.

Must say my favourite use however is to show appreciation of the female form

 

[battered]

I don't use a bell, on shared paths I click brake levers and if I get no response I give a cheery "Morning!" which attracts attention. Follow it with "Thanks!" and you are done.

On roads I resort to "Careful!" or "Don't do it!" or simply "NO!" which works on all but the truly blind. Cars get "NO DON'T DO IT NO! F***!" but they just do it anyway if they are so minded.

 

[davefb]

Coruskate makes a good point, it shouldn't really matter where you are.

However, just to be clear I was referring to neither of those examples (unless by pedestrianised area you mean anywhere where there might be pedestrians), but to cyclists on the road coming through rush hour traffic - Nasserblue's profile says he's from London and I kind of guessed that he was referring to the situation I often see in London:

Pedestrians are crossing the road through stopped traffic (having ascertained there is reasonably safe passage) and a cyclist will coming zooming down the inside or outside of the traffic pinging their bell for all their worth but not making any effort to brake or allow the pedestrians to complete their crossing. Not "ping, ping, hello everyone, coming through, thanks awfully", but "PING PING PING PING, MOVE!!!!!!"

As User wisely says

blimey you londoners eh! that on the face of it, sounds a bit aggressive ...(and not seen it in the sticks )

i was thinking sort of busy pedestrian area and cyclist screaming thru just ringing away...... <- dont like how some cyclists take the short cuts thru pedestrianized urban areas when fair enough you can ride down there, but in some cases so can cars, and if the car went thru at 15mph just assuming people would get out of the way because they were using the horn, then there would be mayhem ..

 

[jonny jeez]

You could always attach a bell which "runs continuously"

[media]
]View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sYpKZ6PkWs[/media]

did you get a look at them, were they wearing a red suit and a fluffy white beard?

 

[jonny jeez]

I simply can't believe that some posters consider a bell to be aggressive!

you are missing the point...I dont think its aggressive..."they" do. "they" interpret a polite toot, ring, tinkle or honk as an insult to their very existence, not me

I hate "they"..."they" cause so much trouble

 

[davefb]

you are missing the point...I dont think its aggressive..."they" do. "they" interpret a polite toot, ring, tinkle or honk as an insult to their very existence, not me

I hate "they"..."they" cause so much trouble

i always thought it was Them,,,


though only really as a way to link into a terrible gag about Van Morrison......

 

[biggs682]

when me and my daughter out on the tandem she coughs loudly first then follow that with a blast on horn

 

[jeltz]

It depends on the situation, when I'm out on main roads or in town I don't tend to use a bell. If I need someone to be aware of my presence I use my voice however when I'm out in the rural lanes and villages a quick ding, ding when approaching walkers, runners or other cyclists from behind has never been badly received, however if I pipe up with "coming through" I often find they jump an sometimes end up in my path.

 

[Black Sheep]

I whistle when riding on shared use paths, but given the stops and starts and twists of bike lane as it weaves under the subways (anyone else from coventry?) you have to be steady anyway.

worst i find are people walking in the cycle lane who then just suddenly stop for no reason.

 

[Crankarm]

I thought this thread was about bells on bikes???

Here's one :