Bells

[grufty]

Has anyone else noticed that many walkers don't seem to hear a bicycle bell but will respond to voice? Often I'll ring my bell several times but won't get a response unless I call "good morning" or similar pleasantry. I have no problem slowing down to walking pace and will always apologise if I startle someone. I usually start tringing about 100 yards away but will stop about 10 yards away and use voice. My hearing is deteriorating with age, but I still hear a bell.


The other thing I've noticed recently is the number of people who rely solely on hearing before crossing a road. Its a good job noise will be added to electric vehicles!

[simonhill]

I have had people telling me off for not having a bell, when I have been ringing it. Other people say, oh I heard something, but didn't realise it was a bike bell because they are so rare nowadays.

I ring, ring and if no reaction, then I use my voice. In more of an emergency (eg someone stepping out in front of me) I always shout.

My biggest bug bear with bells is the lack of them on other (faster) bikes that pass on a fairly narrow cycle path. They whizz past with no warning - I think this is dangerous behaviour. It's ironic that cyclists complain about close passes by cars, but don't worry about doing it when on a bike.

[grufty]

I was often startled by faster "stealth" riders, not so much of a problem since recently fitting a handlebar mirror.

[gregoryoftours]

Quite a lot of 'ping' bells are pretty hard to hear, even though they sound loud enough when you're operating them. The big 'ding dong' and old fashioned 'ring ring' ones carry sound the best, I think. Some of the more expensive 'ping' bells such as lion bells of Barnsley cut through way better than the cheaper ones too. I guess a 2 pronged attack of voice and bell might be the best, although it could just lead to confusion paralysis!

[Barks]

I very much doubt anyone would near a bicycle bell from a 100 yards away. You are undermining your own point right from the start. Just wait till you are reasonably close, a few yards away, and ask politely, proceed past slowly.

[Jdsk]

Some of my family use pinging bells, I don't and call either "Hello" or "Bike". There are some occasions, for example in crowds, where I'd use one if I had it.

Not a big deal either way for me.

Maintaining speed that's dangerous would be.

Jonathan

[mjr]

I very much doubt anyone would near a bicycle bell from a 100 yards away.

As said above: Lion bell.

You are undermining your own point right from the start. Just wait till you are reasonably close, a few yards away, and ask politely, proceed past slowly.

As I have written before, if someone sneaks up behind me walking and suddenly speaks, you will get an earful about not ringing your bell and possibly your way barred by my stick! Just get a decent bell for a few quid.

[jaybee66]

The answer could be this https://ebay.to/2IZ3seS worlds loudest bicycle horn 140db !!!

[jaybee66]

Sorry broken link try this for the worlds loudest cycling horn https://ebay.to/2HntYO6

[Jdsk]

As I have written before, if someone sneaks up behind me walking and suddenly speaks, you will get an earful about not ringing your bell and possibly your way barred by my stick!

That's unfortunate. Our encounters either way round seem to proceed without any aggression or violence.

Jonathan

[Cyril Haearn]

Nothing funny about using a loud horn 140db
It could cause shock causing a fatal heart attack leading to a personslaughter charge

[simonineaston]

I have had people telling me off for not having a bell, when I have been ringing it.

Lost count. A reasonable conclusion is that the pedestrians don't hear the bell... at least, not in any meaningful way. Not their fault. And of course, there's that old paradox - if they do hear it, then they split, like sheep spotting a collie, into fractured groups, suddenly occupying the free space you were aiming for, a second ago...

[freiston]

I often ring my bell (a Crane Sakura "pinger") 50 yards or more behind the walker (I would say sometimes but rarely 100 yards away and mostly about 60-70 yards away). I usually give a quick double ping and it is almost always on quiet narrow country lanes. Results are varied but I would say more often than not, the walker(s) will turn and see me, and get in to the side. If they don't, I give another double ping about 30 yards away. If that doesn't get a reaction, I slow right down and pass at not much more than (their) walking speed, loudly saying hello as I approach. It is rare that they don't react after a second ring. I usually say hello as I pass irrespective. If it's a horse in front travelling the same direction as me, I usually try to "softly" shout hello instead of ringing the bell and ask if it's ok to pass.

I don't use shared paths enough to say what happens there but there is a short stretch of pavement on a fast road where I cycle along for about 200 yards from when I turn onto the road before turning off into a churchyard as a shortcut. Normally, I don't encounter pedestrians there but if there is a a pedestrian in front of me, I don't ring my bell but slow down to their walking pace and stay well behind them unless they see me and gesture/manoeuvre for me to pass (same in the churchyard).

Bad experiences are so rare that I can't remember one.

[drossall]

I firmly believe that people differ in their reactions to bells. Some respond well. Some, we're told above, don't hear them at all. Some, I think, find them aggressive (but then certain cyclists use them in aggressive ways!)

At least for country riding, I've always preferred to whistle a cheerful tune. Horse riders, in particular, will hear that from hundreds of yards away, and it usually produces a very positive reaction and a good-natured exchange as I pass.

[Jdsk]

I click and keep talking for animals.

Jonathan