[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

[Miller]

I do a bit of gravel-type

I do a bit of gravel-type riding so am constantly meeting walkers, runners, horseriders etc. My experience with using a bell (Crane, single ping) is very good. I give it a ping when I’m a fair way back so when they look round, if they do, they have plenty of time to decide what to do. You can’t tank past peds at full velocity.

[NPlus1Bikelights]

I use a bell and then they

I use a bell and then they thanks on passing. Yes to dogs, I’ve had people, ask why I am ringing the bell when they have already seen me and I say that their dog, off lead – hasn’t seen me.

[brooksby]

Exactly.  If you call out,

Exactly.  If you call out, well then you should have used a bell.  If you use a bell, well then you’re being Evil and bullying people out of your way.  Teleporting is clearly the way to go…

[brooksby]

Would that be before or after

Would that be before or after the mob turn on you?

[Mungecrundle]

I’ve found recently that a
I’ve found recently that a short bout of hacking cough seems to get people’s attention and a decent amount of space.

[kil0ran]

On the road I have a bell
On the road I have a bell that makes a delicate non-aggressive ding-ding (a Knog Oi). MTB encounters are rarer so I tend to slow, say good morning, and then say which side I’m going to pass them on. If path is narrow and we’re approaching each other I’ll usually just stop and wait, particularly with social distance perceived requirements. I can always do with a rest on MTB terrain?. Horse riders I call “cyclist approaching” and slow until they’ve acknowledged me. On the whole, it feels to me that MTB terrain users seem to be much more tolerant of cyclists, unless of course you encounter them in full Rachel Atherton mode…

[Nick T]

I hate the sound of a bell.

I hate the sound of a bell. Seems like the most passive aggressive option, I much prefer to simply come across as aggressive – pedestrians will resent you either way

[mrml]

I use a bell when on my

I use a bell when on my shared-use path commute.  I haven’t really had any complaints, although plenty of people ignore it.  I find it useful for getting the attention of dogs too.  And it clears the rabbits from one particulary busy section!

On the other hand, when I haven’t used a bell, I have had some snippy comments.  Generally I think this is the pedestrian being defensive: “I probably should have been aware that you were there but my excuse is that you didn’t use a bell”.  

 

[Captain Badger]

Nay

Nay

[Captain Badger]

If you’d used a bell you’d

If you’d used a bell you’d get  “don’t you ding me!”

 

[RafatheRed]

Well, i did like the horn

Well, i did like the horn,reminded me of when i put an air horn my bike when i was a kid. i think whichever way i go i will sometimes still get flack. i had a bell come with the bike,it does not fit on the handlebars,dont really  want to spend more money or clutter the bars so im remaining with the verbal warning. i guess if peds are walking in the road or on shared cycle paths they should expect some cycle traffic. hmm should horse riders have a bell?

[LetsBePartOfTheSolution]

The dilemma is always that

The dilemma is always that not using a bell is seen as impolite ( even by pedestrians who have already seen or heard the cyclist ) whereas using a bell is seen as impatient barging.

Genteel answer for peace on earth:   
wind chimes 

 

[Gary's bike channel]

https://www.youtube.com/watch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrzYPPKrfiM       thats what i use. Its not a bell, its a 5 quid horn from halfords 😀  

[wtjs]

It’s mostly not a problem up

It’s mostly not a problem up here on the few canalside paths etc- I don’t have a bell, and usually just clacking the levers does the trick. Sometimes I say ‘hello’ and if that doesn’t work they’re probably deaf. For some reason, the pedestrians here don’t seem to be belligerent. 

[squired]

I’ve had people moan when I
I’ve had people moan when I’ve said excuse me that I should be using a bell. I’ve had people moan at me that using a bell is a “get out of my way” arrogant cyclist thing and I should be polite by saying excuse me. Generally I’ll ring the bell at about 10m and say excuse me as I get a little closer.

[Author]

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