When passing someone in a bike or multi-use path it's important to yell out "on your left" and slow down. I always make a point to do this but sometimes my voice doesn't carry very well. A simple solution to my problem was investing in this cool bike bell.
When I was little I had a bike bell but I thought it was just a cool accessory — now it's a major piece of safety equipment. The bell's classic ringing sound is loud enough to warn oncomers but isn't obnoxious. It was also incredibly easy to mount on my bike. (If you're not into a bell look for a bike horn instead.)
Since using a bell I've noticed that most people respond kinder to me than when I yell out, perhaps because it comes off as being less aggressive. To play it safe though I use a combination of both if it seems the bell isn't enough.
Vanessa Bruno
Virginie Monroe
Lacoste
I agree that a bell for some reason catches one's attention better than yelling. Especially with an Ipod on, a voice can get muddled into the song but a bell has a distinct ring. Lately I've been running on a trail that has lots of cyclists, runners, walkers, etc and I've noticed that not one person on a bike has announced they are passing or rang a bell! It's very scary when one comes whizzing by without warning, I'm always afraid they are going to hit me. I can usually hear a person's footsteps running behind me but I never hear the bikes.
1I went on a ride recently and between the three of us there wasn't one bell. I will definitely be investing in one soon. It was however fun to hear our chimes of 'RING RING, RING RING' as we rode along.
2Gotta admit, my pet peeve is cyclists who bing, bing, bing their bell in lieu of yielding to pedestrians when it is required.
3I love my bike bell. It is shaped like a tea kettle and has the greatest pitch. There are a lot of bike commuters where I live and it is way more convenient than yelling "on your left" every time.
4I have bike horn. For me, the bell was not loud enough.
5I don't ride my bike on the sidewalks, so a bell is kind of an unnecessary item...cars couldn't hear it if you did ring it, I'm pretty sure.
6I try to sound less obnoxious than the usual "ON YOUR LEFT!!!" ... I will ususally say "hold your line" or "coming up on your left" .. there's a way to be heard that isn't annoying !
7In Toronto it is the LAW to have a bell on your bike.
8invest? they are like a dollar
9glowingmoon, i so know what you mean
i was thinking of getting a huge one, like for
a car. people don't react to a bell at all. walk on cycle lane and don't care. here in London it's illegal to ride sidewalks and bell is really unnecessary.
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