[RafatheRed]

So today while cycling i came up behind 2 walkers in a lane.I was going 5 mph and from a resonable distance I politly said ‘bike coming past ladies’ .They moved out the way.however as i passed one lady said ‘you need a bell’ This seems to be the standard responce from walkers. I have also had this cycling in the forest on my mtb with walkers on cycle tracks

So do i need a bell?

Topic

[boringbutton]

A bell is a legal requirement

A bell is a legal requirement in Northern Ireland – if not already mentioned.

Source at time of writing:  https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/cycling-getting-started

[OnYerBike]

Awavey wrote:

Awavey wrote:

The bbc had one of their quizzes http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-54027461 on the proposed rules,but can anyone explain how ringing a bell or calling out politely helps a deaf pedestrian ?

I think what is meant to be conveyed is that you should try to gain their attention by ringing a bell or calling out, but you should also be aware that doing so may not work – you should not assume that the pedestrian is aware of your presence just because you have rung your bell or called out.

[wycombewheeler]

hawkinspeter wrote:

hawkinspeter wrote:

……. Anyhow, we ended up disagreeing about whether cycling was allowed on that bridge and the non-official signs, but shook hands and went our own ways. ……

 

happier times

[Steve K]

I don’t have a bell.  I also

I don’t have a bell.  I also don’t do that much cycling on shared paths etc.  But when I do I tend to just slow right down; call out “excuse me please” and say thanks when people let me past.  I very very rarely get any rude responses etc with that approach.

[leipreachan]

I use bell before entering a

I use bell before entering a sharp bend or a very narrow space. Also usefull when people walk their dog on a leash. It doesn’t hurt anyone if you do it well in advance and give them time to move either side.

When there’s no dogs, no children, just a lonely walker or a runner I would announce myself with “on the right” or “on the left”.

I used to use an airhorn commuting through central London, but not anymore. Pedestrians get scared and start moving like frightened chickens, cars don’t give a crap. The only way to use it is to honk right into an open window… which is stupid

[don simon fbpe]

leipreachan wrote:

I use bell before entering a sharp bend or a very narrow space. Also usefull when people walk their dog on a leash. It doesn’t hurt anyone if you do it well in advance and give them time to move either side.

When there’s no dogs, no children, just a lonely walker or runner I would announce myself with “on the right” or “on the left”.

What else do you do?

And what do you expect the oncoming person to do?

How do you react if I respond by ringing my bell?

Having learnt to drive on country lanes (the sort with grass growing up the middle), this sort of behaviour is bemusing and unnecessary.

[Hirsute]

I got that one wrong, so I

I got that one wrong, so I can’t help !

[don simon fbpe]

I would guess, and I’m no way

I would guess, and I’m no way an expert, nor have any intention of offending. But I would expect that a deaf person would have have different behaviours. This is in contrast with the beligerent ped.

I imagine a deaf person would use other senses, either sight of feel. That is, be more accustomed to looking over their shoulder, or feel the ground of an oncoming trundling wheel (cyclist speed a clear factor here, and we know there are plenty of dickhead cyclists out there).

I would also imagine, again in contrast to belligerent ped, that a deaf person (or any reasonable person) would be less likely to meander and block the (shared) path.

If I look at my current injuries, I would make sure that I was as far out of the way as possible therefore negating sudden movement, also registering my right to use a (shared) path. Cyclist would also have to behave in a manner to respect that there are other pth users.

The bell or shout is not a catch all, get out of jail free card, for the cyclist.

 

[Awavey]

The bbc had one of their
The bbc had one of their quizzes http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-54027461 on the proposed rules,but can anyone explain how ringing a bell or calling out politely helps a deaf pedestrian ?

[Hirsute]

Obviously it doesn’t give a

Obviously it doesn’t give a definitive answer and is only a proposal. If you haven’t responded to the new code, you have until 27th October

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/review-of-the-highway-code-to-improve-road-safety-for-cyclists-pedestrians-and-horse-riders

 

[don simon fbpe]

Cool, Rule 63 goes in the bag

Cool, Rule 63 goes in the bag, along with Rule 56.

[don simon fbpe]

As  a pedestrian, I too hate

As  a pedestrian, I too hate the bell. I think speed and space given when passing are more important as they are less startling to the pedestrian.

I generally alert the pedestrian to my presence (bell or vocal), and wait for a reaction from them, however subtle, before passing at an appropriate speed.

The 5% of arseholes are far outweighed by the polite 95%.

[Captain Badger]

Bloody cyclists, invading my 

Bloody cyclists, invading my  thoughts…..

[m.a.t.t.]

I generally announce my

I generally announce my presence to pedestrians in advance: “Passing on your right/left” and have found that I have encountered no problems. I think that if I was subjected to a negative response then I would stop and engage with the person to explain the reason why I prefer not to use a bell.

In my experience, bells can be seen as rather passive aggressive and I prefer a real human engagement. Whatever you choose, some people will be annoyed or belligerent but that just seems to me to be a good opportunity to engage with people and share our reasons and experiences. 

[Hirsute]

New Rule 63 !

New Rule 63 !

New Rule 63 Sharing space with pedestrians, horse riders and horse drawn vehicles. When riding in places where sharing with pedestrians, horse riders or horse drawn vehicles is permitted take care when passing pedestrians, especially children, older adults or disabled people. Let them know you are there when necessary e.g. by ringing your bell (it is recommended that a bell is fitted to your bike), or by calling out politely.

Remember that pedestrians may be deaf, blind or partially sighted and that this may not be obvious.

Do not pass pedestrians, horse riders or horse drawn vehicles closely or at high speed, particularly from behind. Remember that horses can be startled if passed without warning. Always be prepared to slow down and stop when necessary.

[Author]

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