What is the point of having a bell?

[gavroche]

I have a bell on my handlebar and use it all the time but I find that most people don't seem to hear it! My last resort is to shout and that works all the time so, what is the point of having a bell?

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

none

 

[potsy]

I only have a bell to annoy @400bhp

 

[shouldbeinbed]

I had a lovely little chat when riding into work this morning with a dog walker, doubt we'd have done so well in ting ting morse code.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

[QUOTE 3818304, member: 259"]If you use it all the time, maybe people are just overexposed to it?[/QUOTE]
That implies using it to the same few person(s) over and over???

 

[welsh dragon]

If people dont hear it, you can always throw it at them.

 

[Levo-Lon]

I had a bit of a spat wit 2 horsey types..
they got all arsey as i shouted Hi passing on your right...

you should have a bell so the horses know..

Sorry its a mountain bike so not fittted...
maybe you should get indicators and mirrors..

 

[Brandane]

I've had plenty of "thank you's" from people when I have come up behind them on dual use paths and used my bell to warn them I am there.
I prefer to use that than shouting "excuse me" which obviously has to be done from a fair distance behind to give ample warning. The bell sound carries better than my voice and probably sounds less aggressive too!

 

[Drago]

what is the point of having a bell?

To make a ding ding noise.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

I've had plenty of "thank you's" from people when I have come up behind them on dual use paths and used my bell to warn them I am there.
I prefer to use that than shouting "excuse me" which obviously has to be done from a fair distance behind to give ample warning. The bell sound carries better than my voice and probably sounds less aggressive too!

If you feel you have to shout to be heard, think your voice sounds aggressive and your verbal repertoire doesn't extend beyond "excuse me" then you are probably best to use a bell. Good job we're all different.

 

[coffeejo]

I hate the sound of bicycle bells. So shrill and annoying.

 

[Brandane]

If you feel you have to shout to be heard, think your voice sounds aggressive and your verbal repertoire doesn't extend beyond "excuse me" then you are probably best to use a bell. Good job we're all different.

'Scuse me?

 

[Drago]

I hate the sound of bicycle bells. So shrill and annoying.

You're in the wrong hobby then!

 

[ChrisV]

I get a bit self conscious using the bell. I use it regularly, but there's a big part of me feels silly doing it. It's just not manly.

 

[mjr]

I have a bell on my handlebar and use it all the time but I find that most people don't seem to hear it! My last resort is to shout and that works all the time so, what is the point of having a bell?

My bell works fine. Is yours a proper brrrring or one of those lousy pingers?