The Conservative government has rejected calls for cyclists to be required by law to fit and use a bell when riding a bicycle.
The Department for Transport replied to questioning from Labour’s shadow cabinet on the issue, saying although recommended, the government has no plans to make bell usage mandatory.
Labour MP for Putney, in west London, Fleur Anderson raised the issue with the Department for Transport, with the Shadow Minister asking: “What assessment he [Transport Minister Grant Shapps] has made of the potential merits of requiring all bicycles to include a bell?”
In reply, Trudy Harrison, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary rejected the idea on behalf of the government.
“Rule 66 of The Highway Code recommends that bells are fitted to cycles, and that people who cycle should always be considerate of other road users, including by calling out or ringing their bell if they have one,” she replied.
“All cycles are required at point of sale to be fitted with a bell, but we do not intend to legislate to make the use of bells on cycles mandatory, as there are other ways for people who cycle to warn other road users of their presence.”
As per the relevant Rule 66 of the Highway Code:
[Cyclists] should be be considerate of other road users, particularly blind and partially sighted pedestrians, and horse riders (see Rule H1). Let them know you are there when necessary, for example, by calling out or ringing your bell if you have one. It is recommended that a bell be fitted.
It is not the first time the issue of mandatory bells has been raised in Parliament. In 2018, Conservative MP for New Forest East, Julian Lewis, called for legislation, saying all cyclists should be obliged to have a bell fitted to their bike.
Lewis accused riders of putting pedestrians at risk “because they can’t be bothered to fit a bell”.
“Speeding cyclists on rural roads in the New Forest are putting residents and other pedestrians at risk, simply because they cannot be bothered to fit a bell on their bikes so that they can warn pedestrians of their approach,” Lewis told the House.
> New Forest MP calls for mandatory bike bells
At the time, then Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling, offered a similar answer to this week’s response, suggesting while bells are recommended, “we have no plans to make bells compulsory as this would be difficult to enforce.”
Lewis described the reply as “insipid” and asked for a statement from the government so that his constituents could “go about their business without fear of being mown down by silent road cyclists?”
After a subsequent 2018 debate in the House of Lords was hijacked by a query about how pedestrians can feel safe when cyclists refuse to “equip their machine with a bell”, solicitor Mark Hambleton penned an opinion piece for road.cc in which he questioned if they really are the right solution.
What do you reckon? Are bells really necessary? Do you have one on your bike or is a simple shout good enough for alerting others?
43 thoughts on “Government rejects calls for cyclists to be required to use a bell”
I have a bell fitted to my
I have a bell fitted to my “gravel” bike (which doubles up as general town bike) but rarely use it – a simple “hello” or similar is just as effective if not more so, and I think comes across as more polite.
The New Forest does seem to have excessively high levels of anti-cycling sentiment, and I am fairly confident that this latest call has no basis in logic or evidence, but is purely a spiteful desire to burden cyclists with more obligations, and to find opportunities to punish cyclists who fail to comply.
And whilst I’m sure there are occassions of careless or even reckless cycling, I do not think that mandatory fitting of bells would change anything – if someone is not inclined to ride sensibly, I doubt that person would use a bell even if fitted.
The New Forest does seem to
The New Forest does seem to have “excessively high levels of anti-cycling sentiment”.
What do you expect from a constituency that elects an idiot like Desmond Swayne as their MP?
tbf that was 4 years ago,
tbf that was 4 years ago, this recent query has nothing to do with the New Forest at all and came from a Labour MP representing the people of “Puntey”…in west london, who is in the Shadow cabinet as Paymaster general.
so Im not quite seeing the angle here
It’s in case the bridge falls
It’s in case the bridge falls down, you can cross the river in a Punt (with a puntey bell to warn other river craft of your presence).
When I’m walking I dislike
When I’m walking I dislike having a bike bell pinged as a cyclist approaches from behind me. I’d much rather the cyclist spoke to me. That’s how I alert pedestrians (and horse riders) to my presence. It seems altogether nicer to say ‘excuse me’ or ‘hello’, and maybe exchange a few words. I often ask a horse rider if it’s OK to come past – it usually is, but horses can be unpredictable and the rider is at least prepared.
I’m exactly the same however
I’m exactly the same however I have one final course of action when groups of pedestrians block cycle paths chatting and deliberately ignore me… I back pedal fast and lock up the back wheel. This makes it sound like I’m going much faster than I am and with the accompanying skid it’s an instant cure for “deafness” – and they part miraculously like the Red Sea!
“Speeding cyclists on rural
“Speeding cyclists on rural roads in the New Forest are putting residents and other pedestrians at risk”
Meanwhile in 2020 lockdown year 50 animals were killed in the new forest, presumably by cyclists.
And how many pedestrians were
And how many pedestrians were hit by cars in the NF during the same period ?
Walker coming towards me on
Walker coming towards me on country lane.
1. Move to the other side of the road – clear indication of seeing and giving space.
2. Smile and say “hello”.
3. Enjoy the glow of cheery wave and “Hello” in return.
Walkers in road walking away from me.
1. Call “Cyclist behind” from about 50 metres away.
2. No reaction but no real problem as there is plenty of room, throw in additional cheery “Hello there” before I pass.
3. Smile and continue on my merry way, even though they seemed entirely uninterested in me – as is their wont.
Both practical examples from today.
It really isn’t that difficult, and much easier than trying to determine the optimum timing for a ring of a bell to distinguish between the patent Ashley Neal polite ting* and the furious ringing of an angry cyclist.
Half the problem is a lot of this fuss is coming out of overcrowded London and then attempts to solve problems there, however hare-brained, are applied to the rest of the country in a one size fits all approach.
*Not that I am bitter about being insulted by him in YouTube comments ;). PS exactly zero usages of horn on a 65 mile ride, though 5 close passes, 3 causing oncoming vehicles to take evasive action, the worst being an overtake on a descent at 30mph double white line and sharp bend where I would really preferred to have the lane to myself rather than cosying up to a van 2 foot away.
Why would I need a bell when
Why would I need a bell when I have a voice?
I’ve literally slowed down to
I’ve literally slowed down to a point where I say ‘excuse me’ and they still say “why haven’t you got a bell.” Because I’ve done that before and people jump in front of me when you ring it.
Bells should definitely made
Bells should definitely made compulsory. The difference I get from pedestrians when using my bell to using my voice is quite different. The bell gets a much faster and instant response and seems to be more appreciated. In addition other cyclists respond better. It’s a small cost and easy to fit. Everyone should have one. If they can make front brakes compulsory on a fixie you can make bells compulsory. People always take the example of Holland as the example of good bike use. There bells are compulsory (audible at 25m) as well as lights on public roads past dusk and several other sensible enforced rules.
bikeworcs wrote:
I can only say that I have found exactly the opposite, a polite, “Can I just come through on your right please?” nearly always elicits a quick ungrudging response, whereas people seem to find a bell (I don’t have one on my bikes but have used them on hire bikes) more difficult to pinpoint directionally and more aggressive, I’ve frequently got, “Why can’t you say please?” or “How am I supposed to know what you want, why can’t you ask?” As discussed on the Ashley Neal thread, horns and bells are open to interpretation, one person’s polite ding is another’s aggressive demand; clear and polite explanation of what you want or what you are doing is far more effective in my experience.
Rendel Harris wrote:
I find a bell on a quiet path, even a long way off, can be heard. the verbal alternative at that distance would be a bellow. Emphasis on can, not will. Sometimes it doesn’t, I try again closer, then I resort to voice.
If we do our best, the rest is down to them. I’ll use either/both.
What riles me is the assumption by some pedestrians that their priority equates to no need to be aware of those around them. For shared routes. Rule 13 includes:
(italics added for emphasis)
It is the same for cyclists on the road. We should remain aware of what’s around us, even if we have priority; and we should be considerate within the confines of safety.
I have no problem announcing my presence and giving way to pedestrians. But it would incredibly helpful if they read that rule and were less surprised to find a cyclist behind their family group spread across the path. I find looking around me as I walk along a shared route is enormously effective in that regard.
GMBasix wrote:
Is that also the explanation for “I’m going to walk through a crowded pedestrian area with headphones on while looking at my phone instead of where I’m going: it’s up to other people to avoid me.”
I think so. Easily countered
I think so. Easily countered by holding one’s line and saying, “Oh, I’m so sorry, I didn’t realise you weren’t looking where you were going.”
GMBasix wrote:
GMBasix wrote:
That’s one benefit of using your voice instead of a bell – you’re more likely to get closer and slow down to their speed.
Horses for courses. Each has
Horses for courses. Each has its value. Sometimes you need to slow down; sometimes the speed you’re at is OK. Sometimes you don’t want them to move – you’re just letting them know you’re there so they don’t move over into your path.
Incidentally, I am vehemently opposed to mandatory bells, helmets and pedal reflectors.
In Australia, everyone
In Australia, everyone associates a bell ‘ding’ as a cyclist approaching, just like all motorists associate a flashing red light in the distance as a cyclist.
All I will say is previous
All I will say is previous discussions fell into a 50/50 split on peds happy with being tingged / not happy with being tingged.
Can we have mandatory bells
Can we have mandatory bells for runners as well? And impatient faster-walking people? And mobility scooters? And scooter scooters? And those trainer thingies with the wheels in them?
Or I suppose we could just accept that if we’re in a space shared with pedestrians, we’re there as guests and just have to slow down and negotiate a way past them without demanding clear passage.
Not in my experience. Voice
Not in my experience. Voice is often better, just calling out “hello” is better than tinging away on a bell.
Main issues I find on shared use paths are pedestrians with headphones, pedestrians heavily engaged with Smartphone (voice call or Facebook or whatever they do), and dogs not under control.
Bells don’t help with any of these.
p.s. all my bikes have bells and I use them when appropriate, otherwise slow down and use my voice.
sean1 wrote:
I’ve got bells, but they’re very quiet and nowadays I don’t even bother with them. Depending on the circumstances, I offer a friendly “Morning” or “can I get past please” after slowing down and that seems to work well. For getting peds quickly out of my way in the road (e.g. a line of peds walking in the road as pavements are covered with cars), I’ve resorted to saying “ding ding” or even “beep beep” (when I’m pretending to be a car). It seems to work much better than a bell.
sean1 wrote:
And a bell is almost sod all use in traffic, where drivers in their motor vehicles absolutely cannot hear yu.
I have discovered that they generally CAN hear when I shout “Oy!”, usually when I fear that I’m about to be squeezed into the kerb again.
And what is more interesting still is the number of drivers who completely lose their shit at that point. I’ve had several who were in such a rush to get past, yet on hearing me shout in fear for my life they are suddenly able to stop and start ranting at me with some variation of “you shouldn’t be on the road!” or “why were you shouting?” (because you wouldn’t have heard my bell, you knob, and you were clearly oblivious to my presence until I had to shout!)
I think they are compulsory –
I think they are compulsory – when new bikes are sold – see PBSR / GPSR (cycling UK’s write up). So that covers that.
I really don’t think this is an issue – for all reasons others have mentioned (e.g. won’t help the deaf / those with earphones / at busy locations with lots of bikes [ is there such a thing in the UK? ] / noisy environments). The little I know of the Netherlands suggests that they’re not much used there either although that’s because they’re sensible and pedestrians and cyclists largely have their own spaces and very few people are “cyclists” – they just happen to be riding a bike.
If you want to fight on this hill however I’d refer you to the discussion about noises that scooters could make and Bill Bailey’s notes (geddit?) about warning sounds.
All my bikes have drop
All my bikes have drop handlebars because I find them the most comfortable, and for a while I had a bell on my commuter but I couldn’t manage to find a place for it where it was simultaneously possible to ring the bell and brake at the same time. Then the bell broke. Since then I’ve just resorted to “excuse me”, repeated if necessary at increasing volumes, usually while braking.
Fleur Anderson is my MP and she’s doing a decent job, but bells on bikes should not be her primary cycling concern. Getting decent cycling infrastructure in Putney and across Wandsworth should be.
“Speeding cyclists on rural
“Speeding cyclists on rural roads in the New Forest are putting residents and other pedestrians at risk, simply because they cannot be bothered to fit a bell on their bikes so that they can warn pedestrians of their approach,”
what? I find the simple rule of don’t close pass pedestrians at speed is sufficient to prevent risk
I always find saying/shouting
I always find saying/shouting “on your left” or ” on your right” to be most effective as it gives a clear indication where I will be passing. Ringing a bell requires the pedestrian to look around and make a decision on what to do – which can sometimes be unpredictable!
I had to start saying “I’m
I had to start saying “I’m coming past on your left (or right, as appropriate” after I tried “On your right” and found people moving to their right (or vice versa)
Human hearing is excellent at
Human hearing is excellent at picking out voices
If you mandated a bell (read audible warning device) I will get an airhorn not a bell given it covers different cases than my voice…)
I seriously doubt that is what the mp actually wants…
When I had an air horn it
When I had an air horn it REALLY annoyed drivers. Well worth it.
yeah.. I want to really annoy
yeah.. I want to really annoy someone driving a vehicle that could easily be used as a weapon to run me off the road..
qwerty360 wrote:
I’m not sure that’s how the law works. If it mandates a bell, it has to be a bell – you can’t just decide it means something else.
mdavidford wrote:
I’m not sure that’s how the law works. If it mandates a bell, it has to be a bell – you can’t just decide it means something else.— qwerty360
It means you have to have a bell fitted, but I would imagine that you could additionally fit something and use that instead. Buy the prettiest, most useless bell you could find to look good, and then actually use a mega-decibel electric horn (or just shout).
Yes – that would work. It was
Yes – that would work. It was only the ‘airhorn not a bell’ suggestion that would be problematic. Unless the airhorn could somehow be made a bell under the terms of the legislation – maybe you could fit a dinger to the reservoir?
On the other hand, if you wanted an airhorn, why not just get an airhorn, instead of waiting for mandatory bell legislation to be brought in?
I think you’ll find getting
I think you’ll find getting one thing squeezed in under the definition of something else is exactly how the law works (or at least how lawyers work). Classic case here – admittedly under church law. Is it a mammal? Is it a rodent? No, it’s a fish!
A bell on your bike is
A bell on your bike is mandatory in the Netherlands. Why is that so?
joe9090 wrote:
For warning and resiliance. Warning – you can ring your bell to alert everyone that the Nazis are coming for your bicycles again. Resilience – if the Nazis steal all the bells from bell-towers you can still flash-mob a carillion.
joe9090 wrote:
Aesthetics
A bell is also mandatory to
A bell is also mandatory to be fitted in Australia; it’s archaic really, as it harks back to an era when no-one had their hearing blocked by earphones..
Shouting a warning gives so
Shouting a warning gives so much more information than ringing a bell. I haven’t had any problems cycling the lanes of Kent with walkers, horse riders and other cyclists when calling a warning about my situation. So many of those who give opinions don’t neccessarily cycle themselves! When I had a bell it always seemed to startle the other road users whereas with a call out they knew what was happening.
I’ve been riding bikes for
I’ve been riding bikes for over 45 years and I have NEVER had a situation where a bell or an airhorn would have done any good, all an airhorn would be good for is to get even with some car honking it’s horn at you, but by the time you need an airhorn or a bell it’s too late anyways. Not only that, but a bell, or an airhorn, in an emergency requires freeing up a hand to operate it, no thanks, I need that hand to operate a brake so I can stop faster. As far as using a bell as a warning to peds, I’ve been using my own voice to much success.