To think bicycles should have bells

[soggydigestive]

That is all. AIBU. I was nearly banged into by a family cycling on the pavement today and none had a bell. When did ringing a bell stop being a thing?

I do both, tbh, I call out or ring the bell or both as seems appropriate. Calling out is easier than remembering where the bell lever is. I cycle past a Uni full of foreign students on their phones walking in 5 person wide groups & am not sure they understand what a bike bell sounds like much less how to respond to one.

@soggydigestive it seems like bell ringing then is a situation which qualifies for inclusion in the saying "you can't please all of the people, all of the time"!

@lljkk refers to another thread which said bell ringers are rude and earlier on I said those who don't ring bells are rude!

I think, on balance, I'd rather be considered rude by ringing my bell than considered rude by not ringing my bell. At least they'd know I was there.

I don't cycle fast so I often have other cyclists ringing their bell to let me know their about to overtake. I find it helpful as I'm aware and can attempt to give them extra space or slow down to allow them past.

Yes they should have bells as long they are used only to warn pedestrians of their presence,not rung in an aggressive manner while cycling on the pavement and expecting me to jump into the road to get out of their way!

@mirime I have no issue with cyclists using bits of the pavement to get to crossings and things like that; it’s the adults cycling down our pavement and then telling a kid who had run out of his gate and onto the pavement causing the man, who had fallen of his bike , to “be careful”. Cheeky git.

It sounds like he was doing some much needed parenting @HotSauce Committe

We cyclists can't win. If we use a bell half the people ignore it because they think we're rude. If we don't use a bell the other half get arsey because we didn't use a bell.

The whole point of a bell is to warn people that you're there, just like the horn on a car. So if I'm on a mixed use path I will ring my bell to warn people that I'm approaching. Fortunately pretty much everyone where I live seem to be rational people who understand what the sound of a bicycle bell means.

I find bells intensely annoying. I prefer a nice 'excuse me please'.

I think an additional problem is how closely some cyclists pass you, even if they have rung a bell (which most don't). And how fast.

Some people with hearing issues or disabilties won't hear a bell or need more time to react so cyclists shouldn't think they can just ring-a-ding and arrogantly sail past and even bump arms with pedestrians - as has happened to me several times.

I mean, you shouldn't be passing within 3 feet of me never mind banging into me as you pass! Let alone at speed.

I think this is why sometimes people think of bells as being rude - often they are used just so the cyclist can carry on regardless.

If the path is narrow then cyclists need to warn people AND slow right down or even get off, go past respectfully and give people space.

That is true, a bell is not an excuse to whizz past someone close at speed. But bells should be widely accepted imo. I can see now why cyclists feel they can do no right because of bell dislikers though, so this thread has been illuminating.

Perhaps if the bell ringers also acknowledged the pedestrian in a friendly way that would help? A hello or thank you would go a long way. It might take a while but if ettiquette improves most people will react postively.

And sometimes I do think that some people who 'feel they can do no right' and then just stop trying probably weren't trying that hard to be nice in the first place. I mean, I don't slam doors in people's faces jsut because some people don't acknowledge it.

Have I missed something here? If a cyclist is on a pavement, why is he/she expecting a pedestrian to move for them? Shouldn't he get off and walk past?

Also from reading some poster's comments about bells being ignored; I wonder what some cyclists think a pedestrian's response to a bell should be?

To my mind a bell would make me look over my shoulder - but given my disability I cannot always do this, or do it fast.

I might then stop and step aside to let the cyclist past because I am really polite and sometimes it is easier disability-wise, but given that I actually I have the right of way, all a bell need do is give me the benefit not getting a sudden shock when someone coming up behind me and overtakes.

The cyclist gets the benefit of a pedestrian hopefully not suddenly stepping into their path or letting their dog go. Because surely its like with driving... if you are coming behind someone and overtaking the onus is on you to take care and avoid an accident.

I admit this subject does rile me somewhat because as a family with disabilities (and former cyclists!), we have had far too many near misses and it is makes us feel anxious and vulnerable.

A couple of years ago I got sworn at by a cyclist because I wouldn't move out of his way. It was a very narrow pavement (think barely wide enough for 2 people to pass with one having to stand sideways) next to a pretty busy road. He drove up behind me and started ringing his bell non-stop. I ignored him at first. Then he shouted 'Get out my fucking way you stupid cow!' I turned round and said 'And where do you expect me to go to get out of your way? In the road?!' His response was 'I don't care where you fucking go,just move!' To which I said 'Nope' and carried on walking slowly for the next 100 yards with him behind me with steam pouring out of his ears,until he could overtake.

alonghardwinter what a rude man!

I used to ride through the woods a lot. On a shared use path, I like to warn walkers that I am behind them. Often they're walking on one side, and there's plenty of room to overtake, but you can guarantee if you don't make them aware that a bike is approaching, they'll randomly swap sides just as you get close.
Calling out to people politely works, but a bell is instantly identifiable as a bike. And what's the best thing to say? "excuse me" suggests you're asking them to move. I like "good morning/afternoon" but some people just look confused.

The issue with cyclists is the same as with car drivers, pedestrians, scooters, skateboards et al and that is there are arseholes in each camp.

They should have spokey dokeys

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/west-end-residents-living-in-fear-of-law-breaking-cyclists-on-pavements-1-4729887?utmcampaign=Edinburgh%20Evening%20News%20-%20Daily%20Newsletter&utmmsource=hsemail&utmmmedium=email&utmcontent=62374444&&hsenc=p2ANqtz-9zPCiY27cF6ILf1y73cuoGVoOgJBWRAbVCLaD8ubYEJpOUxMS04jBwhrTgKEQQErrx071huOzMmGVcqX0im0H7gldHsFs0vedAzhqk7jHg7touK8&_hsmi=62374444