Cynic al - have you ever used a bell on the shared use paths?
You are wasted here Cougar.
Edit where did your joke go? It was one of your best
Congratulations on reinforcing the negative stereotypes of cyclists.
Does the OP win the No-bell Prize?
You are wasted here Cougar
Not least for the ninja editing. Sorry!
Asks bikes to give pedestrians priority, ting-ting your bell or a friendly voice and say thank you. Always cycle slow enough that you can stop if necessary.
I prefer to have a bell on NCN and shared routes. However I have several bikes and tried various bells, and I'm yet to find one that works consistently well. And while I'm in the bell camp, I've still had the same experience as the OP, after politely slowing down to walking pace and saying excuse me... It's just completely unnecessary. Makes no difference to them whether you ring a bell or not. The main advantage is to you.
I ride a lot on narrow roads and tracks with no separation between pedestrians and cyclists.
I used to shout a warning but that wasn't always received well. Joe Public sees that as being aggressive.
I bought a Hornet handlebar buzzer/alarm. The loudest on the market. That was roundly ignored because folk always assumed that I was a car so I would stop in plenty of time. (The worst of the lot are joggers with earphones in.)
So I went back to a bell. It works. Very few ignore it. It seems the public is just wedded to the conception that bikes have to have bells and they simply don't register any other noise.
Get a bell. They cost buttons and save an awful lot of aggro. May not be "kul" but who gives a xxx?
In my experience I've always found the more traditional 'dring, dring' type bell (sorry, no idea what they're actually called) is far more effective than a ping bell when there are lots of people about, and in most cases the elderly seem to react better and even smile when they hear them.
I think it's sounds less aggressive that a single hurried ping to some people.
I don't get how a bell is entitled or aggressive. Honestly can't remember the last time someone objected to a polite ding, (sure it probably has happened, because people...) but it's very rare.
Just bear in mind that coffin dodgers loose their high frequencies hearing first, so may not actually hear a high pitched bell very well at all, The smaller they are the worse the effect, (generally).
edit - reading back,
...feign deafness, especially the older ones.
Genuinely might not have heard you.
I have a small cow bell souvenir thing I bought on holiday in the Alps. It's permanently dinging so less aggressive. Or that's my idea, anyway !!
Poly – I know its daft and ringing a bell seems rude to us but it really does smooth the way. so why not?
My experience (c. 12 yrs living on an NCN) is that a bell is no more effective than a polite hello, is just as likely to startle or cause panic. Not all bell users are rude, but some certainly treat it as a "get out of my way" and I prefer to use my soft tones to make it clear that I am in no great rush.
I have a bell on all my bikes, but it makes little difference if they're wearing Beats by Dr Dre or such like. I just use a rolled up Sunday Times on the back of aforementioned head.
Maybe chilling out and researching DEFCON levels would restore your day.
Why do some of you insist on not having a bell?
It's simple... it upsets some people. A much higher percentage of people than simply saying hello or good morning. In my experience.
And judging by the posters above, I'm not alone in this.
Fit an airhorn for next time? If all else fails at least you can self moderate the tirade 🙂
Poly – I know its daft and ringing a bell seems rude to us but it really does smooth the way. so why not?
Why no helmet or a no kicking dogs policy? Madness I say, madness!
I don’t have a bell, mainly because I only have the one bike. I’m never in a rush though and will simply slow to a stop if needed. Always give way and I’m always polite. Only ever had two “Where’s your bell” incidents. Both from miserable looking bastards. In both instances I politely informed them I’d shoved my bell right up the arse of the last person who asked.
Fit an airhorn for next time? If all else fails at least you can self moderate the tirade 🙂
In all honesty, I've considered one of those squeezy-bulb horns as a secondary alarm. There seems to be a small subset of people who seemingly wilfully ignore bells.
I don’t have a bell, mainly because I only have the one bike.
I'm not sure as I follow that logic...?
OP has outed himself as a bell. End.
I don’t have a bell, mainly because I only have the one bike.
I’m not sure as I follow that logic…?
Didn’t ask you to 😉
Mountain bike, mainly used for thrashing about on. The less crap on the bars that might stick in me or bash me, the better. Not going to lose sleep over the chance somebody, somewhere might cry as a result. Don’t have reflectors either. I’m basically a monster.
I’d have a bell if I had another bike (which I used to) that was for pootling, commuting etc.
It’s permanently dinging so less aggressive.
My pedal clicks a tiny bit and I hate it. A constantly tinging bell would drive me absolutely potty.
No bell here either, I've thought about it as I use the Taff trail a lot (389 times according to Strava). But I've only had one or two grumps. Smiling and being polite works wonders, couldn't care less about who's right or wrong just that I enjoy my ride and de-stress.
I always use a bell, then say a thank you after if/when they move over.
The other day an elderly couple wandering down a wide trail, I ring bell, she steps aside, he shouts where's your bell, I stop, she says, I heard the bell, he says, next time try ringing a bell, she says, she (me) has a bell. Ha ha ha, cyclists can't win.
However ranting off at walkers is a no no in my book.
The less crap on the bars that might stick in me or bash me, the better.
Fair enough.
I have a tiny bell on my MTB bars, the likelihood of it 'sticking in me' is pretty low but if that were a concern I'd maybe just twist it upside-down under the bar when not in use.
I have a tiny bell on my MTB bars, the likelihood of it ‘sticking in me’ is pretty low
That’s cos you is a bimbler!
Or just don’t fit one maybe?
*no puppies or old people walking were harmed by my decision not to have a bell
have bell, use bell – “ooooh, that really scared me”
don’t have bell, say hello, hiya, good morning, excuse me – “where’s your bell?”
Or, ding bell, ped jumps in hedge.
My mtb doesnt have a bell anymore but I only really ride it on shared paths with my boy who is 8 and uses his bell. Its amazing how many turn and look like they are about to rant and then see an 8 year old!
My commute generally isn't a problem unless I do a Friday afternoon extension through the local country park. Have so far dealt with that by the friendly hello option. Generally riding either fixed or Alfine hub which makes things a bit worse as both are annoyingly silent
For MTB in busy bits of Lake District I've found Timber bell or Hope freewheel seem to be the most effective at gently announcing your presence from a decent distance away.
Worst commute problem for Mrs is oblivious people with headphones on - never feel guilty about making them jump 🙂
In all honesty, I’ve considered one of those squeezy-bulb horns as a secondary alarm.
Do eeet! I had one from a pound shop and used it on shared paths; never got a grumpy reaction. Possibly all old folks have happy memories of Harpo Marx and/or the Crazy Gang?
That’s cos you is a bimbler!
This is true, at any rate.
Perhaps it depends on the type of path that is being shared. I had a bell on my bike whilst riding bridleways on the Malverns a few years ago but gave up using it as I got more abuse and negative behaviour with a 'ding' than a simple polite "good morning/afternoon". Local walkers seem to regard a bell as aggressive.
I do very occasionally get the 'where is your bell" comments and I simply explain the above, politely.but to be honest I find the vast majority of encounters to be positive and amicable
Sometimes though you can never win. I had a bell and rang it as i approached a reclined three wheeled bike. Path is a canal path and about 1.5 mtr wide. As the recline bike was mostly on the right and the left was the better line choice i also shouted 'on your left mate'. To which he replied by moving to the left and shouting 'You're only meant to pass on the right'. Thought about a sarky reply but was in too good a mood.
New one on me but just shows you cant please all the people all the time!
Why do some of you insist on not having a bell?
Because some people (both cyclists & pedestrians ) interpret a bell as being aggressive & entitled. A voice is seen as being polite and engaging in personal contact. I don’t personally see it that way, but it seems a pretty common attitude
+1
I used to have a timber bell but found the reactions were very mixed and I get on much better with a friendly “morning”.
+1
You cant win. I’ve had hassle with and without bell ringing at people, some hear it, some dont know what the noise is, some think its rude
+1
have bell, use bell – “ooooh, that really scared me”
+1
It’s simple… it upsets some people. A much higher percentage of people than simply saying hello or good morning. In my experience.
+1
I had a bell on my bike whilst riding bridleways on the Malverns a few years ago but gave up using it as I got more abuse and negative behaviour with a ‘ding’ than a simple polite “good morning/afternoon”. Local walkers seem to regard a bell as aggressive.
+1
Reflects pretty much my experience when cycling in and out of Edinburgh. It was about 50:50 on whinging about ringing a bell or whinging about not ringing a bell.
I’m thinking of fitting a Bluetooth speaker to my bike and an app that plays leopard sounds.
If reason won’t get them moving then the primal fear of an apex predator might.
Or the sound of a runaway train.
I've had exactly the same but off road on a bridleway. I just gave a big smile and said 'or I could just be polite and say hello and have a nice day instead!'
It's so annoying that people want to bring you down but don't let them. They will come out feeling a bit shit about themselves if you are nothing but nice and no I'm not putting a bell on my bike. I've got a lovely tidy cockpit with only 2 clamps and it would unbalance it.
So, tonight I came up behind a pair of older walkers on the towpath, double ring at 20m, nothing, double ring at 10m, nothing, at 2m I said excuse me please, nothing. I figured they were entitled deaf idiots so squeezed round them on the grass against the hedge and said Thank you.
@GrahamS I'm exactly the same. A bell pinged from a suitable distance, a sensible speed and a willingness to slow down and say thanks = generally no problems.
I've had the pleasure (sadly no longer) of being both a cyclist and a dog walker on shared paths - as a cyclist I hate dogs not on a lead (the best recall is useless if the dog bimbles under a wheel); as a dog walker I used to dislike cyclists who either did not let you know they were coming or did it so late as to make no difference.
All said though, I was bitten by an Alsatian 6 months or so ago whilst on a shared path - the bell was its 'trigger' and it wasn't on a lead. I reported it and the police took it seriously. It's now a police dog 🙂
It's strange isn't it? I'm with TJ in that bells generally give better results for me, of course giving a friendly "morning" or thanks isn't mutually exclusive.
Had this the other month, came up behind two walkers chatting away, dinged bell three times and they were oblivious so locked up on the chalk* which made them jump, “where’s you bell?”, so I dinged it again and pointed out that perhaps they should’ve been a bit more aware of what’s going on around them as they hadn’t heard the 3 previous dings. Left them looking like they’d been sucking on lemons.
*its chalk gully Bridleway that gets massively eroded every storm so my skid didn’t add to much to the general erosion before anyone whinges.
Oh indeed - I practise " polite cycling" ding sounding from a good distance away, and always say thianks as I go past often with a "lovely day" or similar and a wave of thanks as well.
Disarm them with politeness.
Scotroutes - remember the EBC night rides? Many times I was asked to go to the front of the line going up the WOL so I could use by bell to let folk know we were there. ( not by you particularly)
I used to have a bell. One day Cycling along a Lakeland lane merrily ringing my bell as I approached some people I was taken aback when they called out “where’s your bell” as I passed. Since then I just shout our “how do” which seems to work just fine.
(I did stop and explain I had rung my bell. Ended up chatting to them for a bit. You can met some very interesting people given time to listen.)
The amount of folk walking with earbuds in these days is a pita, even running up behind them results in most of them shiteing a brick.
Mibbe I should run with a bell. 🤣
A bell is a friendly non-confrontational way of alerting walkers but unfortunately older walkers sometimes can’t hear bells.
Somewhat interestingly a couple of months back I had a moment with a jogging pair of crumblies. I prefer to say "excuse me" rather than ding-dong. Cue the usual "where's your bell?" Etc. I paused to remonstrate but told them I found it more polite to call out.
One of them said it's easier for old people to hear high pitched sounds and they prefer to hear a bell.
Would there be any truth in that?
There are differnt forms of deafness but high tone deafness is common as you get older. My 85yr old mother cannot hear a ping ping bell
I don't think it's just bikes - there are certain groups of 'walkers' who think they 'own' every track regardless of your mode of transport. Classic example the other day when running on the towpath with my dog clipped to me on a harness. A couple wearing 'country attire' walking towards me - I get a hold of the dog in my left hand and move the left / waters edge and slow down. She steps left but he stands belligerently in the middle of the path with barely any room on either side - WTF? Other day - Lots of puddles on the towpath after the rain - couple resplendent in their big walking boots see me coming but instead of stopping before the puddle, stand on the foot-wide dry path leaving me no option to run down the middle 'sploosh!' I've ridden / commuted on towpaths for 30 years, have bells on my bikes but know they're not 100% effective.
