No Bell

[coffeejo]

"Hi, coming up behind you" with "excuse me" as a follow-up if I'm right on their tail and they've still not heard.

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

A bell has no place on a bike unless you're a 4 year old.

Nonsense. It's just a case of when to use it

If exiting an underpass onto shared-use, a ting of a bell lets anyone know that a bike may emerge any second..and a return ding likewise

If on a straight route with clear visibility then an "excuse me" or similar is friendlier and more effective

On-road then a horn or airzound

 

[downfader]

I like bells but the thing that annoys me is how the small bars are accounted for by the market, but never the oversized modern handlebar.

 

[summerdays]

Excuse me or good morning/afternoon. The other day that didn't work with a bunch of lads (teenagers) on scooters so I shouted Oi! but then he was scooting down hill whilst chatting with his mates not looking forward at all and was about to crash into me. They were all rude back but at least I stopped them crashing. I find the bell says get out of my way, whereas I'm really telling them I'm there so that they don't jump when I go past.

 

[buggi]

i shout coming through sometimes, i don't think it's rude.

 

[400bhp]

On-road then a horn or airzound

No, just no.

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Just shout 'the pubs are open!' They'll understand.

 

[uclown2002]

In 25-30K miles in the last 3 years I've managed perfectly well without a bell, and there has not been a single time when it would have been any use.

 

[Colin B]

When I was a kid bells weren't cool but the must have accessory to alert ppl of your presence was the playing card in the back wheel I follow this cycling rule to this day . As for close passes my item of choice is tassles , if they blow about frantically your too close chummy .
Seriously though I took my bell off cos it sounded so tiny and I feared for my street cred at Clayton vale.

 

[HLaB]

Ride in a position where Peds wandering off the pavement isn't a problem and be aware of your surroundings.

 

[Maylian]

I just politely say "excuse me" if I'm on a shared use path at walking pace. If they step onto a road then I will shout "watch the f*** out" or just "watchit!". I don't have time for niceties if they're stepping out without due care and attention.

As for bells, 1. They spoil the look of my bike so don't use them. 2. I tend to find when you ping a bell a ped will then spin around and tends to act more erratically.

 

[Martyn H]

I've got one of these

http://www.lionbellworks.co.uk/

Try the sound file on their web page.
It's very loud, and also fits oversize bars and stems. Very useful around here when you can give horse riders plenty of warning and allow them to prepare for a passing cyclist.

 

[uclown2002]

Very useful around here when you can give horse riders plenty of warning and allow them to prepare for a passing cyclist.

 

[DCLane]

I call "bike passing left/right" [delete as appropriate]

Seems to work and no, you're not going to get me ringing a bell. The call helps pedestrians know where I'm passing.

Oh, and a "thankyou" afterwards

 

[Dave 123]

I shout "coming through"....... And you've said that's rude
I will have to think of something more polite.