Do you use a bike bell?

[madisongrrl]

Oh, I do, though I don't think passing on the right is proper/safe unless there is absolutely no way to avoid it.


Emily

Depends on the situation. On a multi use trail, you might be passing on the left....but it doesn't always work that way because there a many pedistrians that don't pay attention. Sometimes passing on the right is what happens. I'm not sure how your path is set up, but many times pedistrians should walking on the left side of the trail if they heading in the same direction as you (just like you would if you had to walk in traffic). Again, it all depends on how the path is set up.

(Passing on the right during a mountain bike race is allowed and acceptable here in Wisconsin....you just need to call out your pass).

[ClockworkOrange]

You can't win.

If I am riding along a cycle track that is divided for pedestrians and they are walking on the cycle track, if you suddenly appear behind them they do not like it, if I ting me bell, they moan about that very often.

Some people are just never happy.

Secretly I wish I could just sneak up to the grumpy ones and shout MOVE!

Then you get the friendly people that are grateful for the warning.

Sally

[emily_in_nc]

I got my compass bell and used it yesterday for the first time riding on a multi-use trail. I had to use it once on a pedestrian who was drifting onto the left side of the path, and probably should have used it a couple more times.

You're right, I am not sure which annoys peds more -- the "ding" of a bell, or having a cyclist whiz by without a word. I was kinda distracted since I was riding with a friend and we were chatting some, so I forgot to say "passing on your left", but I will make sure to do that next time too. A couple of times a rider going faster than us whizzed by us, and they rarely said anything. I wished they would have b/c it can be a little startling if they come up fast around a curve!

Anyway, I like the bell! Doesn't have the nice "dring-dring" of the cutie ones, just a "ding", but it's better than nothing. And the compass is a nice addition.

Emily

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Love my classic "ching ching" bell, use it all the time! Works great to let joggers know a bike is coming behind them (unless they're wearing ipods).

[lph]

I have a "ding!" bell and use it quite a lot, but people react very differently. Adults on their own, and children for some reason, tend to get it, they look up and move to one side. While some elderly people look like they're about to have a heart attack or jump into the bushes at the sound of a bell, so I'm a bit wary of using it behind them just a warning.

And mothers with loose toddlers will sometimes go berserk too at the sound of a bell. I have children myself so I try to make a point out of slowing down and giving the child a huge friendly smile... "see, I'm nice, I'm NOT an ogre about to run you into the asphalt just because your mother says so!"

[dringdring]

Hi, I'm the dringdring bike bell girl! I just discovered this forum while checking out the stats on who was visiting my website (www.dringdring.ca) I'm really happy that you're enjoying your bell GROG. Thanks for spreading the word about my small business. Some of you seemed interested in knowing where to buy my bells. You can order them directly from me at annie@dringdring.ca Just go on the website and let me know which bell you would like. I ship anywhere in the world. I send an invoice by e-mail which customers easily pay through paypal. The bells are 20$ + shipping. They make a really great gift! Hope this answers the question. Thanks for the interest !

annie legroulx
montreal, canada

[Bron]

Bells are required by law here, so I have one of the ones with a compass in it. The compass goes crazy when crossing over the railway (as does my heart rate monitor), apart from that it works really well. Some pedestrians are so dopey though, I think a fog horn might be more effective.

Bron

[trail_mommy]

There were two guys hanging out at a spot by this v coaster waiting for others and when I rode up one guy said Rider Up...