Bells on new bikes

[uclown2002]

I've bought 3 new bikes in recent years, all of them Boardmans.
Not a cheap bike obviously but I'm always a little surprised to find an ugly bell on the handlebars.

Is this typical when buying a new bike? Do many people use a bell?

The first thing I do is remove that, and front/rear/wheel light reflectors.

Like most folk here I have some proper lights so there is no need for the reflectors.

 

[billy1561]

I'm not sure if the reflectors are a legal requirment? Anyway, i also take all that stuff off drop bar bikes but leave it all on for hybrids and mtbs. The bell is definately useful on tracks etc.

 

[NormanD]

IS A BELL NECESSARY ON A BICYCLE? BIKEHUB ANSWERS: MAYBE BUT IT’S NOT A LEGAL REQUIREMENT
At the point of sale (ie shops) bikes have to be fitted with bells but there is no legal requirement for them to be fitted to bicycles no longer on shop display.

 

[Arsen Gere]

I use the bell on my bike every day. It stops me riding in to others/pedestrians on blind corners. It stops people walking in to your path on shared use paths.

 

[subaqua]

bells and reflectors must be fitted when they are sold http://www.ctc.org.uk/cyclists-library/regulations/safety-regulations

lighting gets a bit more wordy http://www.ctc.org.uk/cyclists-library/regulations/lighting-regulations

simples once you have read it, although why anybody would want to ride a bike on the road and not make themselves as visible as possible is a mystery to me.

 

[Kies]

Road bike .... Minimal trimmings (okay lights )
Hybrid has lights,bell,reflectors,me in dayglo if it means a motorist thinking about the shopping,starts paying attention to me on the road!

 

[shouldbeinbed]

As said, they're a legal requirement at the point of sale. I could find just as much use for an ice cream scoop on the handlebars personally but thats just my opinion.

 

[Porty bike]

From the Highway Code, - https://www.gov.uk/rules-for-cyclists-59-to-82/overview-59-to-71

It is recommended that you fit a bell to your cycle.
You MUST

• ensure your brakes are efficient
• at night, use lit front and rear lights and have a red rear reflector.
  Laws PCUR regs 6 & 10 & RVLR reg 18

 

[P.H]

I think the law is about to be changed, if it hasn't been already, scrapping the need to fit a bell at point of sale;
http://road.cc/content/news/49334-bikes-bell-attached-law-be-scrapped-after-dft-red-tape-challenge

 

[biggs682]

i always use a bell as a lot of my commute is done via cycle path avoiding busy main road

 

[gaz]

I've not used a bell in over 10 years of cycling. Never had problems with peds, even on shared use paths.

 

[Chris Norton]

I can't seem to work these new spring cheapy bells. By the time I've got the "ding" out I'm nearly on top of people.
Not good.

 

[uclown2002]

I'll be picking my new Boardman up on Monday, and I've already asked them not to fit the bell or reflectors! I also said don't bother fitting pedals also although he told me the bike didn't come with any.