How often do you use your bell?

[Andy in Germany]

I don't need one.

Apparently, neither does @Drago.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

I find the different experiences fascinating. For me a called out warning often doesn't illicit a response. My bell is nearly always effective, except earphone users, as people know what it is. We often get a smile, wave and even a thank you.

As an aside we always say thank you as we pass or good morning etc. if that's more appropriate. The safety aspect is crucial but even more importantly there is the responsibility to show cyclists in a good and positive light.

Exactly
the sound of a bell on a path mean "bike" to most people

and if you ring early enough and slow down then you push the person's attitude to cyclist that bit to the positive end

maybe not much but over time it will make all people in the World like cyclists
(OK maybe the heat death of the Universe might come before that - but .....

 

[Mike_P]

I get quite a few thank yous having rung the bell. On the other hand you get the odd werido who squashes themselves to the side as if a tank approaching.

 

[Time Waster]

I still think my squealing brakes is more effective that a bell or friendly call out. A bushes squeal makes people think they're about to be hit so they look round and move out of the way quickly. I've yet to have any issues with people getting annoyed by it, possibly because I carry my speed on past them.

Of course my speed is never excessive nor am I ever going to hit them. Unless they're complete idiots like this pedestrians who see the cyclist and then jump into their path for no reason of course. I think some people panic and last minute they think you're moving to the other side so they move and that's the wrong decision.

Either that or I've been unlucky with those idiots who've done that to me. I've always stopped without hitting them as I ride responsibly, ready to stop. It's just that the squealing brakes thing really stops the pedestrian from ignoring your presence better than any other method I've tried.

 

[PaulSB]

I still think my squealing brakes is more effective that a bell or friendly call out. A bushes squeal makes people think they're about to be hit so they look round and move out of the way quickly. I've yet to have any issues with people getting annoyed by it, possibly because I carry my speed on past them.

Of course my speed is never excessive nor am I ever going to hit them. Unless they're complete idiots like this pedestrians who see the cyclist and then jump into their path for no reason of course. I think some people panic and last minute they think you're moving to the other side so they move and that's the wrong decision.

Either that or I've been unlucky with those idiots who've done that to me. I've always stopped without hitting them as I ride responsibly, ready to stop. It's just that the squealing brakes thing really stops the pedestrian from ignoring your presence better than any other method I've tried.

So your recommendation is to ride a bike with dirty, badly adjusted brakes so one can scare pedestrians into getting out of the way?

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

I still think my squealing brakes is more effective that a bell or friendly call out. A bushes squeal makes people think they're about to be hit so they look round and move out of the way quickly. I've yet to have any issues with people getting annoyed by it, possibly because I carry my speed on past them.

Of course my speed is never excessive nor am I ever going to hit them. Unless they're complete idiots like this pedestrians who see the cyclist and then jump into their path for no reason of course. I think some people panic and last minute they think you're moving to the other side so they move and that's the wrong decision.

Either that or I've been unlucky with those idiots who've done that to me. I've always stopped without hitting them as I ride responsibly, ready to stop. It's just that the squealing brakes thing really stops the pedestrian from ignoring your presence better than any other method I've tried.

Yes - but if they are thinking they are about ot be hit gives them an impression tha "all cyclists" ride VERY fast and then screech to a halt at the last minute
and impressions matter

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

I get quite a few thank yous having rung the bell. On the other hand you get the odd werido who squashes themselves to the side as if a tank approaching.

This can be quite funny

gently ding-a-ling from 30 yards away while doing 10 mph and slowing
and they dive to their left like Tom Cruise dodging an assins bullet

and I drift past a few seconds later


of course, in reality they are probably reacting due to a near miss with a maniac on a bike some time ago

so the more gentle and sensible you look the better as it shows that not all cyclist are maniacs

 

[tyred]

So your recommendation is to ride a bike with dirty, badly adjusted brakes so one can scare pedestrians into getting out of the way?

Canti or centre pull brakes can work perfectly and still make a racket.

 

[tyred]

It can be really irritating when you're walking along, completely engrossed in Mozart's piano concerto on your lovely noise cancelling headphones and some twit cycles up behind you, ringing their bell.

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

No mention of 140db Hornit?

Was so tempted when commuting.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

It can be really irritating when you're walking along, completely engrossed in Mozart's piano concerto on your lovely noise cancelling headphones and some twit cycles up behind you, ringing their bell.

I really cannot understand people who do that

I could never walk around anywhere without being able to hear what is around me
It would scare me!!

I mean - you only have 5 senses and smell and taste are not much use at detecting approaching peril
and touch is only useful when something get close

so you have 2 senses detecting the outside world
and you eliminate one of them
and the other one only looks forward!!!

are they mad???

 

[All uphill]

I really cannot understand people who do that

I could never walk around anywhere without being able to hear what is around me
It would scare me!!

I mean - you only have 5 senses and smell and taste are not much use at detecting approaching peril
and touch is only useful when something get close

so you have 2 senses detecting the outside world
and you eliminate one of them
and the other one only looks forward!!!

are they mad???

It says a lot about how safe many people feel when they are on a familiar walk. Looking at phone, music on, relying on peripheral vision to avoid walking into the canal.

 

[Littgull]

It really must be a bell with a decent 'ting' which can be heard at least from 30 metres behind the pedestrian(s). Relying on 'voiced' warnings that you are behind walker means you are too close for many walkers to react quick enough. The Canal and River Trust (formerly British Waterways) include mandatory fitting and use of a bell for that very good reason. I actually believe not fitting and using a bell for cycling on cycle paths. towpaths etc is both negligent and inconsiderate.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

It really must be a bell with a decent 'ting' which can be heard at least from 30 metres behind the pedestrian(s). Relying on 'voiced' warnings that you are behind walker means you are too close for many walkers to react quick enough. The Canal and River Trust (formerly British Waterways) include mandatory fitting and use of a bell for that very good reason. I actually believe not fitting and using a bell for cycling on cycle paths. towpaths etc is both negligent and inconsiderate.

I spent quite a while trying out different bells in shops
in the end they were all either too quiet or too aggressive
I got one online that was advertised and a happy ding-a-ling and that works well

I can also play a few tunes on it or get a single ding after rather too much practice!!!!

I just wanted to warn people without scaring them
and try to cut down on the "diving to the left like Tom Cruise" syndrome

 

[Ming the Merciless]

odd werido who squashes themselves to the side as if a tank approaching

I don’t have a bell on my tank