Bells !

[brommieinkorea]

A discussion/argument about/over bells. Because, why not, and I had a little extra time.
Here goes. Seems many US states require a sound producing device, but no one enforces it. Any similarities on the other side of the pond ?

I also am of the belief that Spurcycle Cycle did a lot to popularize the idea of high end bells, yet the product isn't that great.

The new "Skoda bell" which is actually unobtainium, sounds like a dream come true for any cyclist who has ever cycled a multi use path.

 

[ianrauk]

Iirc bells must be provided with new bikes at point of sale. But not enforceable of course.

 

[raleighnut]

^^^^^^^ Wot E Sed

Reflectors are also mandatory front/rear and on pedals and wheels but most people remove those also (I know I do*) although a lot of cycle clothing/shoes have some 'retro-reflective' flashes or motifs on them.

* The one exception being bikes with cantilever brakes where the reflector bracket also acts as a safety bar for the straddle wire, if a brake cable fails that will lock the wheel instantly.......................Ditto 'centrepull' brakes on old road/touring bikes

 

[Punkawallah]

^^^^^^^ Wot E Sed

Reflectors are also mandatory front/rear and on pedals and wheels but most people remove those also (I know I do*) although a lot of cycle clothing/shoes have some 'retro-reflective' flashes or motifs on them.

* The one exception being bikes with cantilever brakes where the reflector bracket also acts as a safety bar for the straddle wire, if a brake cable fails that will lock the wheel instantly.......................Ditto 'centrepull' brakes on old road/touring bikes

Indeed. Although road requirements in Britain are different, in that a rear reflector is mandatory, and pedal reflectors on bikes made after 1985. So you may want to add a rear reflector/light to yours ;-)

 

[raleighnut]

Indeed. Although road requirements in Britain are different, in that a rear reflector is mandatory, and pedal reflectors on bikes made after 1985. So you may want to add a rear reflector/light to yours ;-)

The only bike I own made after 1985 is actually a trike and that has both.

 

[fossyant]

^^^^^^^ Wot E Sed

Reflectors are also mandatory front/rear and on pedals and wheels but most people remove those also (I know I do*) although a lot of cycle clothing/shoes have some 'retro-reflective' flashes or motifs on them.

* The one exception being bikes with cantilever brakes where the reflector bracket also acts as a safety bar for the straddle wire, if a brake cable fails that will lock the wheel instantly.......................Ditto 'centrepull' brakes on old road/touring bikes

I know my CX bike never had the safety bar. It does, however, have a bell as I'm regularly on shared paths.

Still doesn't srop the moaning old buggers. Ding, ding, ding. Nothing. 'Morning, can I pass you please'... 'where is your bell ?'. I've only once replied 'I rang it three times' as the old bugger was aggressive.

Get it regular as the old dears can't hear high pitches. We have a friend that can no longer hear bird song. Sad really.

 

[biggs682]

We all need bells

 

[Brandane]

I have brass bells fitted to each of my growing fleet of bikes (now standing at 7 due to low values on used market meaning buying is cheap but selling not worth it!). Reason I have bells is due to my regular use of shared paths. But as with @fossyant it's a bit of a lottery as to what response you get:

1. "Thank you". I get this occasionally.
2. "FFS you nearly gave me a heart attack!" as they dramatically jump out of the way. This despite the fact I have pinged them several times, starting from a reasonable distance back.
3. "Have you not got an effin bell?". Yes I have but you're so oblivious to your surroundings you didn't hear it.
4. "You've got a bell, bloody well use it!" . Had this only once, from some old woman who was walking TOWARDS me, and looking straight at me! I was lost for words. Why would I ping you when you can see me coming? Just some old duffer looking for a fight that day.
5. "Effin cyclists". From the growing band of cycle haters, for no good reason.
6. Couples, or people walking in pairs, who hear the bell and swap positions with each other! Very helpful, thanks.....
7. Dog walkers. When Fido is walking ahead of them and causing no problems to me as a cyclist, until Fido hears the panic in the voice of the owner shouting at him/her to move out of my way, which then causes the poor dog to also panic and run into my path. So predictable now though. If only they would allow Fido to use its own brain to keep to one side of the path, which it was happily doing before the shout.

My preference for brass bells is that they are actually audible; and they still work when wet - which is a requirement for cycling in the west of Scotland.