refused maybe poor choice of words. I find one useful and I wonder why others do not.
I do use a lot of busy multiuse paths when its particularly useful especially when passing people with dogs as I can alert them from some distance away without shouting
GW -using these paths if I slowed down to the point when I could alert everyone I was passing without shouting in plenty of time I would never get anywhere.
I am often thanked for using a bell
Teej; we find them useful, people like GW don't.
That's about it really. If they want to be wrong, then just let them.
Dickheads what overtake me (it's rare) along the towpath what give me no warning they're coming past get an earful of 'why don't you just get a bell instead of being a ****?'
If they choose to be a ****, then so be it.
They should be careful cos one day someone might lose it and propperly batter them to death.
along with many other pointless accessories
What would those be then GW?
Yes, I have one on each of my bikes. Just a small, light unobtrusive thing! They do smooth the way when other people are around...
I use one and have never had a problem, my previous bike just had perenially squeaky brakes which worked just as well.
I have a Bell, I use it regularly.
TBH it's only really effective perhaps half the time, very often the ditherers will still dither, some people are just bewildered and frightened by the world, at least with a bell having been used they can't wheel out one of the standard criticisms of cyclists...
some people are just bewildered and frightened by the world
It's so true. I've had to give people on the spot counselling after they've bin traumatised by not knowing what to do. 
I always used to take the bells off my bikes as a kid. Jumping ramps and riding trails made the things 'ting' something terrible.
I am tempted to put one of the marathon-style cowbells on my bike now though. I think the 'why don't you get a bell' call from walkers is based on expectation. No way is the gentle tinkling of a bell more noticeable than the squealing of discs, rattling of a chain against the chain stays of a sub5 or the squeals of an elderly rider as he tries not to fall over at every bump.
With a bell I am concerned that I might reach the other end of the spectrum 'why do you have to have that bell ringing in this beautiful, quiet countryside'?
I could do with something loud!!
The amount of times I hear....'Oh I didnt hear your bell'....but I always approach slowly and shout good morning or afternoon, then they moan that I have scared them! 
I find my klaxon shocks people so much they literally fall out of the way. I also used to use a whistle but I nearly swallowed it after an over the bars incident.
Broke my bell, so now I call out "Ding Ding!" which seems to get a few smiles (and so far, no "f*** off"s)
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