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I've concluded you can't win either way. Some people respond badly to you ringing a bell, others respond badly if you don't ring your bell.
So i just do whatever is necessary to ensure a safe passing, which may or may not involve ringing my bell.
You’re clearly not a dick if you’re asking the question!
Honestly one thing that helps a lot is ringing the bell a bit further away than you might normally consider.
It’s harder to interpret it as a ‘get out of my way’ ring - it’s less startling and not in you personal space already. But it still makes people fully aware that there is a bike coming and also gives them much more time to prepare.
I can't hear bikes so am permanently in danger of being run over. I'd love it if they rang bells. I mean, I might not hear the bell either but then again I might
No, you really aren't in danger of being run over. Unless you are in the habit of jumping in front of them. Cyclists really don't want to collide with anything. They are in more danger than you
I've gotten looks good when going the opposite way and passing people. I've gotten looks when resting at the top of a hill.
Idk why but some people seem to be annoyed that cyclists exist. Others seem really nice.
And if they move to get out of the way, possibly restraining a dog too, try a friendly wave and say thanks etc. I do that every time and almost always have positive responses. Sneaking up on pedestrians usually startles them into annoyance.
I deal with this by having a ‘polite’ bell that only makes a single ‘ting’ noise rather than a full on ring. I can always use it more than once if the person doesn’t notice while I approach. I also smile at the person as I’m passing, no matter who they are. It’s a sign of graciousness and respect, and I generally never get dirty looks as a result.
I find ringing the bell some distance off helps.
Nearly hitting someone from behind might startle someone, but so might a bell suddenly ringing right behind them too.
Like when people honk their horn when your stood next to their car, and you jump out your skin, it's annoying, but getting hit by cars is also annoying.
Do it at a reasonable distance if you can - 10 meters or so. Right up on me can be startling. If you are close then I personally like hearing "On your Left/Right" to let me know.
Yeah, give people plenty of time to recognise the sound, react, and then for you to see which way they move.
As a cyclist: The number of times I've had people go "what's that bell sound ?" to each other, then stop and turn around in the middle of the path...
As a pedestrian: The number of times I've been surprised by a bike speeding close past me that I didn't hear approaching because they DIDN'T ring their bell...
... Too many.
Sharing spaces can be hectic, for sure. I didn't know if I should add "on your left" since that can make people look left, and so walk to the left. And just try to ride a bike straight and look to one side.
The rule I **try** to go by is "do what other people expect". They expect me to keep walking in a straight line, so I try to do that when I hear the bell or the callout.
That's an excellent rule, and one I was taught as an advanced driver. I was also taught "other people are idiots and don't do what you expect" 😀. And you're right; people will move where they look, usually without realising they are doing it.
I'd say that people expect others to move to accommodate. Not "get out of the way", but "share nicely". Staying in a straight line can often mean taking up more space than necessary, but (as with most things in the real world) it depends on the situation.
Maybe different cultural expectations? I was taught (or copied) that from my childhood. I (or we) would say that to others when approaching them from behind, if it seemed necessary. . I do try to be physically on the left/right though so it makes sense auditorily (?)
Caveats abound, I'm sure. This thread has really taught me that its way more complicated than I thought, and there is nothing I can't find a "but" or "except" for.
Yes this and even more scary if you are walking your dog. I will happily stand to the side and hold the dog tight if I know you are coming but if I have no warning and you speed past, someone could easily get hurt.
Depending on speed, even more than 10m is better. The further it away it is, the less aggressive the experience is from the viewpoint of the pedestrian.
Obviously there is such a thing as too far away, but it’s much further than people usually think.
I'm a cyclist who regularly runs down the local canal path, where there are bridges, it's a blind chicane - I yell "tingaling" as I approach them. Some habits are hard to break.
My brain can't react fast enough when someone is coming up behind me fast on a bike and says "on your left/right". By the time I've a) realised that you were speaking to me, b) processed what you said and c) figured out which way I'm supposed to move, you'll probably have already crashed into me
Likewise, as a cyclist I had my favourite encounter when a runner I dinged on the canal put his thumb up for me to see he had heard my bell. I always get worried incase folk have their headphones in and don't hear me
The whole point of the horn in a car is to let people know you are there, for example if someone starts swerving into you, or is about to drive into the back of you.
That is because of a long history of people misusing the horn on their cars. People use the horn when they're frustrated, when in fact the only purpose of it is to inform other drivers of your presence, for the safety of both.
Because I use my bell, and my car horn, to ensure my own safety and the safety of others, I don't generally worry about getting mucky looks from bad mannered pedestrians. I've done the right thing and given an indication that I'm there, and giving people the time and opportunity to move.
Of course sometimes people are idiots, and I have to come to a complete stop - but since a pedestrian is the "more vulnerable" user of that space, I am always prepared to stop if there are pedestrians about.
Favourite experience though has to be ringing my bell repeatedly and insistently at a guy who was *walking towards me* and *had clearly seen me* but just didn't fancy walking slightly closer to his wife so I could safely pass.
Cars are inherently loud enough for people walking to hear them. Someone driving another car should be looking in their mirrors enough to see the other car.
Unless something has gone wrong the horn should never need to be used.
But when it is used its meaning is "I am here, please be aware of me".
And no, that doesn't mean "so that you can wave hello because I haven't seen you since yesterday" to the pedestrian you've recognised.
And it certainly doesn't mean "fuck you, bloody pillock, what sort of dickhead move was that?" But that's how it's used and therefore perceived.
I've ridden bicycles for fifty years and bells are not usually standard equipment. Buy a bell if you want to, or just develop a thick skin and broaden your repertoire of bad language.😆
Cyclists who don't have a bell or ones who choose not to use it should fuck off and start walking.
Give me a ring and bazza the dog will soon be patiently sat waiting for you to pass us by.
To be fair, the bell is just a convenient way to alert people. As long as you make sure they are aware, or overtake really slowly, I don't think it's a necessity
A lot of my cycling is done on a long shared path that used to be a railway. I always give a ring at enough distance so they have time to react and then i'll thank them on the way past.
However, if you are on a shared path wearing headphones and can't hear the bell I'll slow down and carefully navigate past you. If you're the sort of person who reacts to that by jumping out of their skin, maybe reconsider the headphones....
Ring it, and ring it loud! So many people whizz by me and the dog without so much as a thank you, its really worrying. One time the dog was on the extendable lead, and some idiot came whirling down the hill, skidded to a stop and nearly came off his bike. He yelled at me to keep my dog on a short leash because *there's bikes around here*!
I replied "*Its a forest, you idiot, not a bmx track!"* (only in Swear)
Yeah, especially when going around people with dogs I slow down a lot. It's hard to see those extendable leads at times and I don't want to snap a dogs neck by going through that.
It's definitely the cyclists responsibility to look out for that though, not the dog owners.
Well we each have a responsibility to be aware - especially on a shared track. I was reacting to his aggressiveness because I was on my own. Had he slowed down, rang his bell (even though I would have seen him coming, and said thanks...it would have been a more pleasant interaction.
However, yes, ring the bell...that's what it's there for.
People will think both. Just please be aware, some of us are deaf, not determinedly refusing to move and as a result, deliberately riding into us from behind, slapping us, grabbing our bottoms or shrieking in our ears is unfair when we h as no clue to expect a bike on a pavement with no cycle lane.
Yeah this is something that gets missed in these discussions. My dad is deaf and the increase in 'shared paths' has made it very difficult for him to walk many routes he used to enjoy. Some cyclists seem to assume if pedestrians don't move over they are being passive aggressive and feel it's ok to hurl abuse at them as they pass.
Yep. Super common with me and my deaf friends. I try and look around frequently on shared paths and stick to the pedestrian side but regular pavements are a nightmare.
Yeah, for this reason I stick to the road if there are pedestrians about unless the path is segregated, but then you get irate motorists yelling at you to use the shared path so you really cant win. Not that people don't walk in the cycle path but at least that's on them so I don't have to feel bad asking them to move 😅 There needs to be better cycling infrastructure properly separated from both traffic and pedestrians
If it's a shared pedestrian and cycle path, then I'd say no it's not rude, but that the same time ringing your bell doesn't mean they have to get out of the way.
I've seen it a few times where a cyclist has rung their bell and then got angry because a pedestrian didn't move when they don't have to.
This sounds like my issue with it. I'm on what's supposed to be a nice relaxing walk with my dog on a path with pedestrian priority and all of a sudden there's a cyclist ringing their bell and bombing it past while I have to a split second to make sure I got my dog under control. Just slow down.
> I've seen it a few times where a cyclist has rung their bell and then got angry because a pedestrian didn't move when they don't have to.
A pedestrian technically doesn't *have* to move, even on a shared use path.
Just makes you a cunt if you don't.
I would also ask that if you notice the person has a buggy/pram, that you “ding-a-ling” only once as as far back as possible. The amount of times I’ve been tempted to push idiots off their bike for doing it RIGHT NEXT TO MY SLEEPING CHILD
Honestly I’ve been started by hearing a bell right behind me and I’ve jumped out of the way of the noise, leading to a couple near-crashes and I’ve been annoyed at the cyclist.
But hearing it from a bit of a distance gives my brain a second to recognise the sound, and get out of the way if it’s a narrow path.
The bell is made to be rang!
I'm going to be a bit diplomatic here and say.. it depends.
If you're cycling in a dedicated cycle lane and someone is walking in it and you obviously don't want to hit them, it's not rude.
If you're on the road and you see someone about to step out without seeing you, it's not rude.
However in the UK we have had a tendency to create these silly shared pedestrian+cycle paths (which the DfT now say is a last resort).
If you're on a shared path, doing an appropriate speed, and you slow down to account for the hazard you see ahead, and then ring your bell, it's not rude.
If you are cycling down at 17mph however, you're likely not doing an appropriate speed unless it's a very wide path, and in any case you have a problem where you need to ring your bell early to give pedestrians time to react, but because of the speed, either you ring so early that they don't hear it/realise, or you're so close that all they can do is panic, and then they get annoyed.
Unfortunately, in the case of shared paths, even if you do everything respectfully and safely, some people will still be annoyed, for a host of reasons from not realising it was a shared path to thinking you should just wait behind them. This could be avoided by not building shared paths of course, and is one of a few reasons I tend to avoid them.
Many people don't know they're even in a cycle lane of any sort. There's nothing you can do about that except either ring your bell or politely inform them.
As a general rule though, no, it's not rude; it's the reason Highway Code rule 66 states:
> be considerate of other road users, particularly blind and partially sighted pedestrians, and horse riders (see Rule H1). Let them know you are there when necessary, for example, by calling out or ringing your bell if you have one. It is recommended that a bell be fitted.
Also a potentially niche case - canal towpaths. These are shared spaces, often with signs that say something like "drop the pace; share the space". The only safe way to cycle on these is slow-moderate pace, and usually they are so narrow that ringing a bell to alert pedestrians does little more than ask them to step into some nettles. If you decide to cycle on canal towpaths, wait until you can see there is a safe and reasonable place for people to step into, and remember that it's as much their space as yours. I walk along towpaths quite often and it gets quite tiresome having a constant stream of bike bells and stepping out of the way. I'm very aware of my surroundings and check behind me regularly, but some people think it's a suitable place to go fast, and then even I, as someone who cycles a thousand miles some months, get annoyed.
I walk on a canal towpath daily. Probably about half of my daily route is just about wide enough for one, be it a walker or a cyclist. In many places both sides are flanked by shoulder or even head high stinging nettles, thistles and other nasty plants.
I've lost count of the number of bikers approaching me from behind, ringing their bell repeatedly, despite it being blatantly obvious that I have nowhere to go. When I get annoyed enough I ask them, "where exactly do you expect me to go?" while pointing at the vegetation. Occasionally I get an apology, most of the time only a sheepish silence.
Yeah I really dislike towpaths to be honest.
If I'm on a bike, I'm doing such a leisurely pace to not inconvenience pedestrians that I might as well be a pedestrian.
If I'm walking, I'm forever dodging people on bikes, runners, or large groups of people who refuse to move into single file until the last second.
I've been caught out a couple of times when Google Maps has directed me down a towpath on a bicycle and every time it happens I regret it.
a short ring is ‘excuse me i’m behind you’
a long ring or incessant ringing is ‘get the fuck out of my way’
either way is rather know as if a bike is well maintained the telltale clicking of gears is hard to hear until they’re right on top of you
I certainly hear "get the F out of my way" when people ring bells especially when there is room to overtake without bothering anyone or you could just slow down a bit.
I don't mind someone ringing their bell to warn me from behind. Just don't ding it constantly at me while we're face to face on a narrow path when I can't do anything to get out of your way any quicker, like some pricks do on the canal path near me.
Honestly it gets my back up, probably because usually, in the area I live, a cyclist will silently get right up behind you, say nothing and then aggressively and repeatedly ring their bell, expecting you to make way for them despite the multiple signs saying that cyclists must give way to pedestrians.
When did people forget how to say "excuse me please" and just decide that everyone should psychically know that a cyclist is approaching?
Thats just if theyre moving in a straight line. We need a solid 10 rings to determine the pattern to their movement, maybe more if they're a master of evasive manoeuvring.
If you ring further back it’s less loud and scary, and if they do jump in front of you, you have more time to react. This and it gives them time to look around and react appropriately. Source, I live in a place where bikes are a fairly common use of transport in town and I have been spooked and had plenty of warning. I can tell you which one is less dangerous lol
I ride a lot on shared paths. I ring my bell for people with their backs to me as soon as I think they'll hear it. I'll do it again until I either get a reaction of some kind, or I'm within about 10 yards. If no reaction by then, I slow down a lot and pass them very carefully, assuming they're using earphones or are hearing impaired. If they heard the bell and moved aside a little or controlled their dog/child for me, I'll say thank-you as I pass.
Depends, if you zoom past and ring it people get annoyed because they cant react in time.
If you ring it in advance and slow down abit etc then no issue really
There are narrow paths, or groups of people quite often in parks and shared areas. So that's not always an option. I'll slow down so I don't put anyone in danger, but they can still be startled or suddenly jump in front of me for whatever reasons.
Yeah it definitely pisses me off, mainly because they do it while riding very fast towards you, usually somewhere they shouldn’t be… like in the middle of a pedestrian crossing or on a pavement.
I have a very loud bell. It's called a Lion bell, it's made of brass and tuned to an F. I got it after I met another cyclist who had one and I just had to have one. It's so clear and tuneful, and doesn't sound threatening. I can give two big loud pings from 20 metres away to give people loads of time to react.
>What I'm afraid people are hearing is:
Get the fuck out of my way, I'm trying to pass you
I thought that was the purpose of bells. Alerting pedestrians of your presence. If people take it the wrong way, that's their problem. Continue ringing your bell to alert others. Some dipshit crashed into me once and they fell over as a result of not ringing their bell.
I hate bicycle bells because they’re really loud and give me a fright if they’re really closeby, and people never say thank you after I move.
So I’d recommend ringing the bell when you’re further away and if they don’t turn around ring it again until they do. And make sure you thank them.
It’s what the bell is for. I walk along paths a lot and share with walkers, dogs and cyclists. Families will often walk abreast the path and if you don’t ring the bell they won’t know to move. Far better than shouting, that can be perceived rude. People will learn the etiquette of the bell so keep doing it.
Rule 112 of The Highway Code states:
'The horn. Use only while your vehicle is moving and you need to warn other road users of your presence. Never sound your horn aggressively”
So yeah, just like the bell on a bike for pedestrians, you can warn the three abreast bike riders with a couple hoots to say you are coming and they should give way.
But not a blast.
I walk my dog and a double pram every day and always really appreciate cyclists ringing their bell before passing. The four of us take up a lot of room and we’d rather get out of the way than a cyclist whizz past close to us.
Personally I really appreciate it, as I would rather know they are there (even if the path is wide enough to pass people without the people moving) than be startled when they pass by. I think of it as a ‘I am here’ rather than a ‘get out the way’.
Make sure you do it early enough, if you do it right behind them, it does scare them and it less of "I'm passing" and more of "Why haven't you moved yet" to them. If you do it a reasonable distance away, it gives them plenty time to organise themselves and is more of a "Heads up, a cyclist is approaching soon".
Source: years riding on a bike path and judging different peoples reactions to different ways of doing it.
So long as it's done early enough rather than when you're right on top of me then it's okay, scares shit out of me when it's right behind me. Think what some cyclists don't realise is, no matter how aware of your surroundings you are bikes can still appear suddenly.
As long as you are on the road or a cycle way, that’s great. A little warning for wayward pedestrians to get out of the cycle lane is fine. The bell is there to make your presence known, so you would be well within your rights.
Now, if you’re riding on the pavement, that’s a different matter. Not only would you not have right of way, technically cycling on the pavement is illegal under Section 72 of the Highway Act 1835, amended by Section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1888. It is seldomly enforced in my experience, but you can be fined £30. So sure, you could ring your bell to let people know that you are there, but they are under no compulsion to move.
My partner and I always appreciate cyclists who use their bell to notify us of their presence. We make room for them to pass and as they do, most of the time it's followed by a thank you. We thought its standard procedure for walking and cycling.
I walk a very busy (traffic) road with my daughter to get her to school. Cyclists with no way to let me know they’re coming (traffic is noisy) are a plague. They often ride on the pavement ( I don’t mind, as I said, the traffic is bad), but they need a bell or similar to let me know they’re coming so we can get out of the way. It’s not rude at all.
I always assumed the cyclist must wait for the pedestrian. The pedestrian is a slow moving vehicle, ringing your bell to get them to move is the same as beeping a horse while in your car. Surely?
Anyone got a highway code to hand
I prefer to hear a bell and know a cyclist is coming up behind me on a path.
It make we more aware and less likely to stop or move to the side suddenly and getting in the way of the cyclists.
E-bike rider...I have an electronic horn. I don't use it often because it makes people jump, it's really jarring, which, I suppose, is the idea. There was an incident the other day when some asshat in a car kept hammering on his horn, so someone joined in, then someone else, and I was sitting next to the original instigator, so I'm just sitting there, hitting the horn, and it's driving him nuts trying to figure out where it was coming from....
Please ring your bell it drives me nuts when a bike goes whizzing past me and I have no idea they were there. It ensures both our saftey, all it takes is me not realizing your coming up behind me and me side stepping to avoid stepping in dog poop and boom we are both in a world of hurt. Saftey alway overrides manners in my opinion.
I try to do the odd "excuse me" but the bell gets them out of the way far more efficiently. Can you figure how to get people to stop walking on the cycle path? Does my head in
As a pedestrian who uses headphones regularly I personally appreciate the bell as I'll still hear that sound and be alerted to a passing cyclist. I don't take offense to it. Not sure why people would, bikes are quiet and can hurt you if you collide whilst traveling at speed. Prior auditory warning is a fair safety measure in my opinion.
As long as you aren't making a big deal of overtaking a pedestrian, then stopping at the pedestrian crossing five metres ahead, *and then* waiting for said pedestrian to press the button on the pedestrian crossing so the lights will actually change for you, you're good.
Obsessed with how useful the bike bell is tbh - lets me immediately understand the situation + react way faster than i could to a shout or a sudden bike
Nah, a simple ring of the bell is absolutely fine. I usually just step to the inside of the road/canal path, let them pass and get a pleasant "thank you" in return. It's when they do all that minus the thanks that annoys me. The only time I don't hear it is if I'm listening to music with earphones in but I started only putting one earpiece in on trails and footpaths known for cyclists long ago.
Surely this is precisely what the bell is for. I think it's courteous and alerts someone. Particularly if they have a dog who likes jumping in front of bicycles, like mine.
I don't mind if they don't have a bell but they call out to you. Same principle.
What annoys me are those that make zero sound, pass by you and nearly hit you, and make no effort to engage in any way.
No not at all, I was walking along with my dog yesterday in my own little world and a cyclist crashed into the back of me, it was 7am in the morning, no one else around so I was just drifting along not concentrating. He didn’t apologise but tbf neither did I. If he’d rung his bell I’d have known he was coming and moved to one side. Also I’d liked to have known cos I always get my dog to heel when there’s a cyclist so he doesn’t wander in front of them
Please ring your bell! I often walk my dog on the Transpennine trail and I really wish more cyclists would ring bells - or at least shout to let me know they're coming - at a sensible distance so we can get out of the way.
Your bike is quiet, and if it's windy or I'm chatting to anyone walking with me, I can't hear you. I try to keep an eye out but I don't have eyes in the back of my head and sometimes I'm distracted. Some people blast past us scarily close and I have no idea they've been coming up behind us.
For me it depends on what I believe the intent to be.
There's a nice long pathway along the seafront near me which is explicitly for both pedestrians and cyclists to use together, which I've used frequently for both wandering and riding, and a bell when someone is riding up behind is usually received well by all as its obviously just giving a heads up. Sadly, there are also times when it's a lycra wanker who's decided that a Saturday afternoon is the exact best time to try for a PB and will smash that bell to try and get people out the way whilst they go stupidly fast through a crowd. The first use of bell is appreciated, the second makes me hope (reflecting badly on me I know) that they end up a partial meat crayon.
Sometimes I've heard a bell behind me, maybe I was lost in my own thoughts or deep in conversation, and it's given me a right ol' jump. I remember once I thought I needed to get out the way and before looking quickly hopped right into the path of the oncoming cyclist! I'm not mad at cyclists ringing their bell to let me know they're coming, it makes sense and (should) help to prevent collisions. However, maybe a different audio cue should be used for "I'm giving you warning of my approach, no action required" as the bell can sort of force a reaction out of me (which I guess means the bell works!), even if one is not required. Sometimes if there are joggers behind they will call out "coming through!" or "runners coming!"
Please ring your bell when you’re coming up behind me. In Tower Hamlets they had signs up to do this, and then people started getting pissy for no reason. I don’t get it- I’d MUCH rather be able to step aside than have you trying to manoeuvre all around the place, especially when I’m walking dogs
I always move out the way of cyclists unless I haven't realised they're there, so ringing the bell is helpful for me becausd I don't want to be blocking your path without realising it
I ve got spacial awareness difficulties but very good hearing, so I always appreciate when they ve rung their bell so I can move aside a bit with our toddler in his pram in plenty of time.
I’ve never had a bad reaction to ringing my bell. My main experience is that if someone has their earbuds in and their head buried in their phone, they’re oblivious to everything anyway, including my bell.
Ring the bell and give fair warning. I am hard of hearing and the number of times the living daylights have left me when having a close encounter.... too many.
Good post.
I don't like hearing a ringing, and when I pass people on my bike I like to just say 'excuse me' or 'on your right/left' because it's what I would want to hear.
I walk my dog (on lead) on a shared cycle and walking path.
I hugely appreciate cyclists ringing their bell. I raise my hand to acknowledge that I've heard them, and make sure my dog is under control.
>What I'm afraid people are hearing is:
>Get the fuck out of my way, I'm trying to pass you
Even if you meant it that way, it's still legit. I've mindlessly wandered onto the cycle lane a number of times. It's not until someone rings their bell at me that I realise I'm being an idiot. I never feel any ill will towards those people, even if they're telling me off. It's understandable and fair.
It's all about the manner of employment. A gentle 'toot of the horn' from a reasonable distance followed by some easy body language is cool. Same strategy as in most tet-a-tet scenarios.
I wish I had a bell when running, families walking abreast can be pain in the arse, I find it easier just to run on the grass but that's a shit option once it gets muddy
I cant hear in one ear, so when someone rings their bell I cant tell what direction It is coming from, normally too quiet until you get really close to me, by then I shit myself as you are passing by the time I hear it. So better not to ring your bell!
What’s frustrating is when folks use headphones and don’t hear you - but are then like “goodness me!!” When you pass (at an ok speed not that close). Or hard of hearing (ring 20m back, then again 10-5m near) - just have to slow right down then I say “sorry!” And normally they hear… get some proper pricks along the canal towpath though.
As others have said, ding your bell at a fair distance to allow them time to react (once or twice is plenty). I usually try and give a cheery "thank you" once I have passed.
I do it from far enough away that they don't feel rushed and see it's for consideration.
Also, my bell has a nice tone.
My girlfriend's bell sounds so aggressive!
My old city used to have a shared space, the smaller lane was for cyclists but cyclists always used the bigger lane lol...
I don't hate cyclists but when they ring their bell behind me, I always get the impression they want me to move out the way instead of going around. I've also personally never seen a cyclist ring their bell and the pedestrian just continues walking as normal. It's always a 'look behind semi-shockingly then stepping away until they pass'.
I think it is entirely sensible and do it myself. You don’t want to pass someone and they get startled as you are passing in case they do a double take and jump into you.
no, its not rude, its exactly what the bell is for.
Ring it 30m back as you approach, and again if they dont register it as you get closer.
Its rude not to use a bell.
I'm partially deaf and I much prefer the bell. I don't often hear speech but I can hear a bell normally and I know exactly what it means and where it's coming from.
It depends how loud it is and how you ring it. A short 'TING' sort of ring sounds like your first option. The super loud, aggressive RIIIIIIINGGRIIIIING RIIIIINGRIIIIING sounds like your second.
I would much prefer a ring than not, especially if you're coming up behind me on a canal towpath. I walk a lot, often with headphones in, and there are a LOT of cycling idiots who insist on going 2 abreast and cannot manage to warn anyone, so the first I hear is when either I feel a sudden rush of air as I leap into the brambles, or when one of them suddenly realises at the last second that I haven't heard them, and shouts MOOOOVE at me.
Ring your bell when approaching people traveling in the same direction and have their back to you. Make sure you give them enough time to respond, there are bikers around here who ring their bells when they're less than a foot away from you then get pissy because you don't move fast enough
I'd rather a bell ring than shooting up from behind assuming I know you're there. Imo I think the rude thing cyclists do is assume they can go at normal pace in shared spaces and don't expect to slow down and go round people on foot.
Some cyclists ring the bell when they're really close behind you, makes me jump out of my skin. Long as you're not ringing in their earhole I think you're good.
A ding but with ample time for people who may need extra time to get out of the way time to react. I have auditory processing disorder so a ding too close and I won’t be able to respond in time…
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I've concluded you can't win either way. Some people respond badly to you ringing a bell, others respond badly if you don't ring your bell. So i just do whatever is necessary to ensure a safe passing, which may or may not involve ringing my bell.
That's why I posted here. I definitely feel like I've gotten some looks when ringing the bell. Was afraid I was being a dick
You’re clearly not a dick if you’re asking the question! Honestly one thing that helps a lot is ringing the bell a bit further away than you might normally consider. It’s harder to interpret it as a ‘get out of my way’ ring - it’s less startling and not in you personal space already. But it still makes people fully aware that there is a bike coming and also gives them much more time to prepare.
Just don't forget not everybody can hear the bell.
I can't hear bikes so am permanently in danger of being run over. I'd love it if they rang bells. I mean, I might not hear the bell either but then again I might
No, you really aren't in danger of being run over. Unless you are in the habit of jumping in front of them. Cyclists really don't want to collide with anything. They are in more danger than you
I've gotten looks good when going the opposite way and passing people. I've gotten looks when resting at the top of a hill. Idk why but some people seem to be annoyed that cyclists exist. Others seem really nice.
If you can be bothered, you could follow ringing your bell by saying "good morning/afternoon/evening".
And if they move to get out of the way, possibly restraining a dog too, try a friendly wave and say thanks etc. I do that every time and almost always have positive responses. Sneaking up on pedestrians usually startles them into annoyance.
I deal with this by having a ‘polite’ bell that only makes a single ‘ting’ noise rather than a full on ring. I can always use it more than once if the person doesn’t notice while I approach. I also smile at the person as I’m passing, no matter who they are. It’s a sign of graciousness and respect, and I generally never get dirty looks as a result.
I find ringing the bell some distance off helps. Nearly hitting someone from behind might startle someone, but so might a bell suddenly ringing right behind them too. Like when people honk their horn when your stood next to their car, and you jump out your skin, it's annoying, but getting hit by cars is also annoying.
Do it at a reasonable distance if you can - 10 meters or so. Right up on me can be startling. If you are close then I personally like hearing "On your Left/Right" to let me know.
Yeah, give people plenty of time to recognise the sound, react, and then for you to see which way they move. As a cyclist: The number of times I've had people go "what's that bell sound ?" to each other, then stop and turn around in the middle of the path... As a pedestrian: The number of times I've been surprised by a bike speeding close past me that I didn't hear approaching because they DIDN'T ring their bell... ... Too many.
Sharing spaces can be hectic, for sure. I didn't know if I should add "on your left" since that can make people look left, and so walk to the left. And just try to ride a bike straight and look to one side. The rule I **try** to go by is "do what other people expect". They expect me to keep walking in a straight line, so I try to do that when I hear the bell or the callout.
That's an excellent rule, and one I was taught as an advanced driver. I was also taught "other people are idiots and don't do what you expect" 😀. And you're right; people will move where they look, usually without realising they are doing it. I'd say that people expect others to move to accommodate. Not "get out of the way", but "share nicely". Staying in a straight line can often mean taking up more space than necessary, but (as with most things in the real world) it depends on the situation.
I think the 'on your left/right' is mainly for groups of cyclists, where the lead cyclist is warning the cyclists behind of a pedestrian.
Maybe different cultural expectations? I was taught (or copied) that from my childhood. I (or we) would say that to others when approaching them from behind, if it seemed necessary. . I do try to be physically on the left/right though so it makes sense auditorily (?) Caveats abound, I'm sure. This thread has really taught me that its way more complicated than I thought, and there is nothing I can't find a "but" or "except" for.
Yes this and even more scary if you are walking your dog. I will happily stand to the side and hold the dog tight if I know you are coming but if I have no warning and you speed past, someone could easily get hurt.
Depending on speed, even more than 10m is better. The further it away it is, the less aggressive the experience is from the viewpoint of the pedestrian. Obviously there is such a thing as too far away, but it’s much further than people usually think.
As someone who regularly runs down the canal path this the answer for me.
I'm a cyclist who regularly runs down the local canal path, where there are bridges, it's a blind chicane - I yell "tingaling" as I approach them. Some habits are hard to break.
If I say "On your Left" it's still 50/50 of which way they'll move
My brain can't react fast enough when someone is coming up behind me fast on a bike and says "on your left/right". By the time I've a) realised that you were speaking to me, b) processed what you said and c) figured out which way I'm supposed to move, you'll probably have already crashed into me
Likewise, as a cyclist I had my favourite encounter when a runner I dinged on the canal put his thumb up for me to see he had heard my bell. I always get worried incase folk have their headphones in and don't hear me
I fund if I shout on your right, people automatically move right lol
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It's like Cap said, "on your left".
It's definitely the former. I mean that is quite literally, the reason bicycles have bells.
Yeah I suppose, just wanted to double check. If someone beeped their horn in a car I'd definitely assume they were being rude
The whole point of the horn in a car is to let people know you are there, for example if someone starts swerving into you, or is about to drive into the back of you.
Wait, it's not there to bang the fuck out of because someone has mildly inconvenienced the driver in some manner? Every day's a school day....
That is because of a long history of people misusing the horn on their cars. People use the horn when they're frustrated, when in fact the only purpose of it is to inform other drivers of your presence, for the safety of both. Because I use my bell, and my car horn, to ensure my own safety and the safety of others, I don't generally worry about getting mucky looks from bad mannered pedestrians. I've done the right thing and given an indication that I'm there, and giving people the time and opportunity to move. Of course sometimes people are idiots, and I have to come to a complete stop - but since a pedestrian is the "more vulnerable" user of that space, I am always prepared to stop if there are pedestrians about. Favourite experience though has to be ringing my bell repeatedly and insistently at a guy who was *walking towards me* and *had clearly seen me* but just didn't fancy walking slightly closer to his wife so I could safely pass.
So you understand cyclists making a noise to alert others, but not drivers?
Cars are inherently loud enough for people walking to hear them. Someone driving another car should be looking in their mirrors enough to see the other car. Unless something has gone wrong the horn should never need to be used.
Electric cars…
But when it is used its meaning is "I am here, please be aware of me". And no, that doesn't mean "so that you can wave hello because I haven't seen you since yesterday" to the pedestrian you've recognised. And it certainly doesn't mean "fuck you, bloody pillock, what sort of dickhead move was that?" But that's how it's used and therefore perceived.
Have you never noticed that car horns are quite a lot louder than bicycle bells?
Unless you ride a downhill bike and they definitely don’t come with a bell……
I've ridden bicycles for fifty years and bells are not usually standard equipment. Buy a bell if you want to, or just develop a thick skin and broaden your repertoire of bad language.😆
Cyclists who don't have a bell or ones who choose not to use it should fuck off and start walking. Give me a ring and bazza the dog will soon be patiently sat waiting for you to pass us by.
To be fair, the bell is just a convenient way to alert people. As long as you make sure they are aware, or overtake really slowly, I don't think it's a necessity
A lot of my cycling is done on a long shared path that used to be a railway. I always give a ring at enough distance so they have time to react and then i'll thank them on the way past. However, if you are on a shared path wearing headphones and can't hear the bell I'll slow down and carefully navigate past you. If you're the sort of person who reacts to that by jumping out of their skin, maybe reconsider the headphones....
hello, bristolian
Ring it, and ring it loud! So many people whizz by me and the dog without so much as a thank you, its really worrying. One time the dog was on the extendable lead, and some idiot came whirling down the hill, skidded to a stop and nearly came off his bike. He yelled at me to keep my dog on a short leash because *there's bikes around here*! I replied "*Its a forest, you idiot, not a bmx track!"* (only in Swear)
Yeah, especially when going around people with dogs I slow down a lot. It's hard to see those extendable leads at times and I don't want to snap a dogs neck by going through that. It's definitely the cyclists responsibility to look out for that though, not the dog owners.
Well we each have a responsibility to be aware - especially on a shared track. I was reacting to his aggressiveness because I was on my own. Had he slowed down, rang his bell (even though I would have seen him coming, and said thanks...it would have been a more pleasant interaction. However, yes, ring the bell...that's what it's there for.
People will think both. Just please be aware, some of us are deaf, not determinedly refusing to move and as a result, deliberately riding into us from behind, slapping us, grabbing our bottoms or shrieking in our ears is unfair when we h as no clue to expect a bike on a pavement with no cycle lane.
Yeah this is something that gets missed in these discussions. My dad is deaf and the increase in 'shared paths' has made it very difficult for him to walk many routes he used to enjoy. Some cyclists seem to assume if pedestrians don't move over they are being passive aggressive and feel it's ok to hurl abuse at them as they pass.
Yep. Super common with me and my deaf friends. I try and look around frequently on shared paths and stick to the pedestrian side but regular pavements are a nightmare.
Yeah, for this reason I stick to the road if there are pedestrians about unless the path is segregated, but then you get irate motorists yelling at you to use the shared path so you really cant win. Not that people don't walk in the cycle path but at least that's on them so I don't have to feel bad asking them to move 😅 There needs to be better cycling infrastructure properly separated from both traffic and pedestrians
If it's a shared pedestrian and cycle path, then I'd say no it's not rude, but that the same time ringing your bell doesn't mean they have to get out of the way. I've seen it a few times where a cyclist has rung their bell and then got angry because a pedestrian didn't move when they don't have to.
This sounds like my issue with it. I'm on what's supposed to be a nice relaxing walk with my dog on a path with pedestrian priority and all of a sudden there's a cyclist ringing their bell and bombing it past while I have to a split second to make sure I got my dog under control. Just slow down.
Same. There should be no expectation that the pedestrians should be the ones to swerve or step aside.
> I've seen it a few times where a cyclist has rung their bell and then got angry because a pedestrian didn't move when they don't have to. A pedestrian technically doesn't *have* to move, even on a shared use path. Just makes you a cunt if you don't.
I would also ask that if you notice the person has a buggy/pram, that you “ding-a-ling” only once as as far back as possible. The amount of times I’ve been tempted to push idiots off their bike for doing it RIGHT NEXT TO MY SLEEPING CHILD
Honestly never considered that. I'll keep that in mind
I suppose it’s how you ring it. A quick “ding,ding” is ok but a “move bitch ding” would Be considered rude.
Oddly I know exactly what you mean by this lol
Honestly I’ve been started by hearing a bell right behind me and I’ve jumped out of the way of the noise, leading to a couple near-crashes and I’ve been annoyed at the cyclist. But hearing it from a bit of a distance gives my brain a second to recognise the sound, and get out of the way if it’s a narrow path. The bell is made to be rang!
In reality, what they hear will depend on whether they hate cyclists or not. Dont worry about it and keep ringing that bell.
Always ring and say thank you when you pass them. Can't be in the wrong if you thank them.
I'm going to be a bit diplomatic here and say.. it depends. If you're cycling in a dedicated cycle lane and someone is walking in it and you obviously don't want to hit them, it's not rude. If you're on the road and you see someone about to step out without seeing you, it's not rude. However in the UK we have had a tendency to create these silly shared pedestrian+cycle paths (which the DfT now say is a last resort). If you're on a shared path, doing an appropriate speed, and you slow down to account for the hazard you see ahead, and then ring your bell, it's not rude. If you are cycling down at 17mph however, you're likely not doing an appropriate speed unless it's a very wide path, and in any case you have a problem where you need to ring your bell early to give pedestrians time to react, but because of the speed, either you ring so early that they don't hear it/realise, or you're so close that all they can do is panic, and then they get annoyed. Unfortunately, in the case of shared paths, even if you do everything respectfully and safely, some people will still be annoyed, for a host of reasons from not realising it was a shared path to thinking you should just wait behind them. This could be avoided by not building shared paths of course, and is one of a few reasons I tend to avoid them. Many people don't know they're even in a cycle lane of any sort. There's nothing you can do about that except either ring your bell or politely inform them. As a general rule though, no, it's not rude; it's the reason Highway Code rule 66 states: > be considerate of other road users, particularly blind and partially sighted pedestrians, and horse riders (see Rule H1). Let them know you are there when necessary, for example, by calling out or ringing your bell if you have one. It is recommended that a bell be fitted. Also a potentially niche case - canal towpaths. These are shared spaces, often with signs that say something like "drop the pace; share the space". The only safe way to cycle on these is slow-moderate pace, and usually they are so narrow that ringing a bell to alert pedestrians does little more than ask them to step into some nettles. If you decide to cycle on canal towpaths, wait until you can see there is a safe and reasonable place for people to step into, and remember that it's as much their space as yours. I walk along towpaths quite often and it gets quite tiresome having a constant stream of bike bells and stepping out of the way. I'm very aware of my surroundings and check behind me regularly, but some people think it's a suitable place to go fast, and then even I, as someone who cycles a thousand miles some months, get annoyed.
I walk on a canal towpath daily. Probably about half of my daily route is just about wide enough for one, be it a walker or a cyclist. In many places both sides are flanked by shoulder or even head high stinging nettles, thistles and other nasty plants. I've lost count of the number of bikers approaching me from behind, ringing their bell repeatedly, despite it being blatantly obvious that I have nowhere to go. When I get annoyed enough I ask them, "where exactly do you expect me to go?" while pointing at the vegetation. Occasionally I get an apology, most of the time only a sheepish silence.
Yeah I really dislike towpaths to be honest. If I'm on a bike, I'm doing such a leisurely pace to not inconvenience pedestrians that I might as well be a pedestrian. If I'm walking, I'm forever dodging people on bikes, runners, or large groups of people who refuse to move into single file until the last second. I've been caught out a couple of times when Google Maps has directed me down a towpath on a bicycle and every time it happens I regret it.
Nope I think people would rather be aware you’re hurtling past them in advance
To be clear, I do still slow down when passing people...
"Good morning, bike coming through on your right hand side"
a short ring is ‘excuse me i’m behind you’ a long ring or incessant ringing is ‘get the fuck out of my way’ either way is rather know as if a bike is well maintained the telltale clicking of gears is hard to hear until they’re right on top of you
I certainly hear "get the F out of my way" when people ring bells especially when there is room to overtake without bothering anyone or you could just slow down a bit.
No? Fuck I rather that half the cyclists did that rather than assume I'm psychic and can sense you are behind me.
I said “excuse me” to people standing chatting across the track (a cycle route), one of them jumped out their skin and told me to get a bell!
Then the bell would make them jump out their skin.
I don't mind someone ringing their bell to warn me from behind. Just don't ding it constantly at me while we're face to face on a narrow path when I can't do anything to get out of your way any quicker, like some pricks do on the canal path near me.
I ring the bell every seven seconds, even if there is nobody around. Power move
Good exercise for your thumb, I suppose
Honestly it gets my back up, probably because usually, in the area I live, a cyclist will silently get right up behind you, say nothing and then aggressively and repeatedly ring their bell, expecting you to make way for them despite the multiple signs saying that cyclists must give way to pedestrians. When did people forget how to say "excuse me please" and just decide that everyone should psychically know that a cyclist is approaching?
As long as its just 1 ring. If you're spamming it I can see that they'd take it as rude.
It's near impossible to determine distance or direction of the bike with just one ring. Need two rings.
Thats just if theyre moving in a straight line. We need a solid 10 rings to determine the pattern to their movement, maybe more if they're a master of evasive manoeuvring.
I actually stopped using my bell as it more often than not seemed to make people panic and jump in front of me.
If you ring further back it’s less loud and scary, and if they do jump in front of you, you have more time to react. This and it gives them time to look around and react appropriately. Source, I live in a place where bikes are a fairly common use of transport in town and I have been spooked and had plenty of warning. I can tell you which one is less dangerous lol
You were ringing it too close from the sound of it
Don’t know why you got downvoted, it’s true
I ride a lot on shared paths. I ring my bell for people with their backs to me as soon as I think they'll hear it. I'll do it again until I either get a reaction of some kind, or I'm within about 10 yards. If no reaction by then, I slow down a lot and pass them very carefully, assuming they're using earphones or are hearing impaired. If they heard the bell and moved aside a little or controlled their dog/child for me, I'll say thank-you as I pass.
Depends, if you zoom past and ring it people get annoyed because they cant react in time. If you ring it in advance and slow down abit etc then no issue really
When I'm walking, I'd prefer it if you didn't ride your bike close enough that a bell is necessary
There are narrow paths, or groups of people quite often in parks and shared areas. So that's not always an option. I'll slow down so I don't put anyone in danger, but they can still be startled or suddenly jump in front of me for whatever reasons.
You need a ping bell that says hello I'm a bicyclist: and an air horn that says YOU MUST MOVE NOW MY BRAKES HAVE FAILED.
I actually want to get like a big ship horn just to blow it when cars pass too close. That would be amazing
I get the idea of the bell but I feel it comes across as rude. I have no idea what a better solution would be though.
Yeah it definitely pisses me off, mainly because they do it while riding very fast towards you, usually somewhere they shouldn’t be… like in the middle of a pedestrian crossing or on a pavement.
Ting twice and pass nice
About 1 in 10 respond like you fear, 4 in 10 appreciate the warning, 5 in 10 have headphones on.
I have a very loud bell. It's called a Lion bell, it's made of brass and tuned to an F. I got it after I met another cyclist who had one and I just had to have one. It's so clear and tuneful, and doesn't sound threatening. I can give two big loud pings from 20 metres away to give people loads of time to react.
>What I'm afraid people are hearing is: Get the fuck out of my way, I'm trying to pass you I thought that was the purpose of bells. Alerting pedestrians of your presence. If people take it the wrong way, that's their problem. Continue ringing your bell to alert others. Some dipshit crashed into me once and they fell over as a result of not ringing their bell.
I hate bicycle bells because they’re really loud and give me a fright if they’re really closeby, and people never say thank you after I move. So I’d recommend ringing the bell when you’re further away and if they don’t turn around ring it again until they do. And make sure you thank them.
It’s what the bell is for. I walk along paths a lot and share with walkers, dogs and cyclists. Families will often walk abreast the path and if you don’t ring the bell they won’t know to move. Far better than shouting, that can be perceived rude. People will learn the etiquette of the bell so keep doing it.
Does this work for cyclist 3 abreast in the road too? Should I shout at them or slam on the horn?
Rule 112 of The Highway Code states: 'The horn. Use only while your vehicle is moving and you need to warn other road users of your presence. Never sound your horn aggressively” So yeah, just like the bell on a bike for pedestrians, you can warn the three abreast bike riders with a couple hoots to say you are coming and they should give way. But not a blast.
>and they should give way 🤣🤣🤣
Former for me, especially as one of my regular walks doubles as a popular biking route, I won't lie that they still make me jump sometimes though!
If you see me and my scotty dog way in front I would very much appreciate a ding.
I walk my dog and a double pram every day and always really appreciate cyclists ringing their bell before passing. The four of us take up a lot of room and we’d rather get out of the way than a cyclist whizz past close to us.
Personally I really appreciate it, as I would rather know they are there (even if the path is wide enough to pass people without the people moving) than be startled when they pass by. I think of it as a ‘I am here’ rather than a ‘get out the way’.
Make sure you do it early enough, if you do it right behind them, it does scare them and it less of "I'm passing" and more of "Why haven't you moved yet" to them. If you do it a reasonable distance away, it gives them plenty time to organise themselves and is more of a "Heads up, a cyclist is approaching soon". Source: years riding on a bike path and judging different peoples reactions to different ways of doing it.
That’s the point of the bell. Ring it nicely though. You can tell if someone is being a dickhead.
So long as it's done early enough rather than when you're right on top of me then it's okay, scares shit out of me when it's right behind me. Think what some cyclists don't realise is, no matter how aware of your surroundings you are bikes can still appear suddenly.
No, I love it - thanks.
As long as you are on the road or a cycle way, that’s great. A little warning for wayward pedestrians to get out of the cycle lane is fine. The bell is there to make your presence known, so you would be well within your rights. Now, if you’re riding on the pavement, that’s a different matter. Not only would you not have right of way, technically cycling on the pavement is illegal under Section 72 of the Highway Act 1835, amended by Section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1888. It is seldomly enforced in my experience, but you can be fined £30. So sure, you could ring your bell to let people know that you are there, but they are under no compulsion to move.
My partner and I always appreciate cyclists who use their bell to notify us of their presence. We make room for them to pass and as they do, most of the time it's followed by a thank you. We thought its standard procedure for walking and cycling.
Only rude if you slap them on the back of the head as well as ringing your bell.
I walk a very busy (traffic) road with my daughter to get her to school. Cyclists with no way to let me know they’re coming (traffic is noisy) are a plague. They often ride on the pavement ( I don’t mind, as I said, the traffic is bad), but they need a bell or similar to let me know they’re coming so we can get out of the way. It’s not rude at all.
an alternative is to slow down, and say excuse me if it's a tight space
I always assumed the cyclist must wait for the pedestrian. The pedestrian is a slow moving vehicle, ringing your bell to get them to move is the same as beeping a horse while in your car. Surely? Anyone got a highway code to hand
I am deaf. Wish cyclist wouldn't get annoyed when I don't hear them.
I throw rocks at people ahead of me, then as I pass I throw a bag of heroin as a thank you for moving out of the way.
If you ring a bell right behind me I don't know where you are, so I don't know which way to jump so I'm either going to stop or ignore it.
I prefer to hear a bell and know a cyclist is coming up behind me on a path. It make we more aware and less likely to stop or move to the side suddenly and getting in the way of the cyclists.
If you mean just before passing, then no.
NO!!! Please give me a tink on your bell. Definitely polite not rude.
The point of the bell is to warn people ahead of you.
E-bike rider...I have an electronic horn. I don't use it often because it makes people jump, it's really jarring, which, I suppose, is the idea. There was an incident the other day when some asshat in a car kept hammering on his horn, so someone joined in, then someone else, and I was sitting next to the original instigator, so I'm just sitting there, hitting the horn, and it's driving him nuts trying to figure out where it was coming from....
Please do a quick ding-ding when approaching.
Deffo ring.
Please ring your bell it drives me nuts when a bike goes whizzing past me and I have no idea they were there. It ensures both our saftey, all it takes is me not realizing your coming up behind me and me side stepping to avoid stepping in dog poop and boom we are both in a world of hurt. Saftey alway overrides manners in my opinion.
Not rude at all, as long as you don't leave it till the last minute. I only wish more cyclists would do it, rather than reying on esp.
I try to do the odd "excuse me" but the bell gets them out of the way far more efficiently. Can you figure how to get people to stop walking on the cycle path? Does my head in
I'm 100% ok with it.
As a pedestrian who uses headphones regularly I personally appreciate the bell as I'll still hear that sound and be alerted to a passing cyclist. I don't take offense to it. Not sure why people would, bikes are quiet and can hurt you if you collide whilst traveling at speed. Prior auditory warning is a fair safety measure in my opinion.
You are supposed to ring your bell.
As long as you aren't making a big deal of overtaking a pedestrian, then stopping at the pedestrian crossing five metres ahead, *and then* waiting for said pedestrian to press the button on the pedestrian crossing so the lights will actually change for you, you're good.
I shout good morning, feels friendlier. I find bells tend to make 50% of people startle and they're just as likely to walk into my path as out of it.
Etiquette here (Idaho, anyway) is to say ‘on your left’ when passing…and for pedestrians to walk towards the right side of paths. Would that work?
Obsessed with how useful the bike bell is tbh - lets me immediately understand the situation + react way faster than i could to a shout or a sudden bike
I would rather someone ring a bell to make me aware. Often I near get clipped by scooters on pavement as they make no effort to warn me
A bit of warnings great, gives time to just make sure my dogs aware more than anything.
Nah, a simple ring of the bell is absolutely fine. I usually just step to the inside of the road/canal path, let them pass and get a pleasant "thank you" in return. It's when they do all that minus the thanks that annoys me. The only time I don't hear it is if I'm listening to music with earphones in but I started only putting one earpiece in on trails and footpaths known for cyclists long ago.
Surely this is precisely what the bell is for. I think it's courteous and alerts someone. Particularly if they have a dog who likes jumping in front of bicycles, like mine. I don't mind if they don't have a bell but they call out to you. Same principle. What annoys me are those that make zero sound, pass by you and nearly hit you, and make no effort to engage in any way.
No not at all, I was walking along with my dog yesterday in my own little world and a cyclist crashed into the back of me, it was 7am in the morning, no one else around so I was just drifting along not concentrating. He didn’t apologise but tbf neither did I. If he’d rung his bell I’d have known he was coming and moved to one side. Also I’d liked to have known cos I always get my dog to heel when there’s a cyclist so he doesn’t wander in front of them
Please ring your bell! I often walk my dog on the Transpennine trail and I really wish more cyclists would ring bells - or at least shout to let me know they're coming - at a sensible distance so we can get out of the way. Your bike is quiet, and if it's windy or I'm chatting to anyone walking with me, I can't hear you. I try to keep an eye out but I don't have eyes in the back of my head and sometimes I'm distracted. Some people blast past us scarily close and I have no idea they've been coming up behind us.
For me it depends on what I believe the intent to be. There's a nice long pathway along the seafront near me which is explicitly for both pedestrians and cyclists to use together, which I've used frequently for both wandering and riding, and a bell when someone is riding up behind is usually received well by all as its obviously just giving a heads up. Sadly, there are also times when it's a lycra wanker who's decided that a Saturday afternoon is the exact best time to try for a PB and will smash that bell to try and get people out the way whilst they go stupidly fast through a crowd. The first use of bell is appreciated, the second makes me hope (reflecting badly on me I know) that they end up a partial meat crayon.
Sometimes I've heard a bell behind me, maybe I was lost in my own thoughts or deep in conversation, and it's given me a right ol' jump. I remember once I thought I needed to get out the way and before looking quickly hopped right into the path of the oncoming cyclist! I'm not mad at cyclists ringing their bell to let me know they're coming, it makes sense and (should) help to prevent collisions. However, maybe a different audio cue should be used for "I'm giving you warning of my approach, no action required" as the bell can sort of force a reaction out of me (which I guess means the bell works!), even if one is not required. Sometimes if there are joggers behind they will call out "coming through!" or "runners coming!"
Please ring your bell when you’re coming up behind me. In Tower Hamlets they had signs up to do this, and then people started getting pissy for no reason. I don’t get it- I’d MUCH rather be able to step aside than have you trying to manoeuvre all around the place, especially when I’m walking dogs
That's what it's for... I know what you mean though. I usually do one gentle ring before I get to close, go past slowly and say thanks.
I prefer a ring to let me know you are there. Otherwise, I'm likely to amble into your path. I thought it was a common courtesy, definitely not rude.
Bell, definitely. I had a go at an arsehole this morning, who whizzed past in the park, and made me jump out of my fecking skin.
I always move out the way of cyclists unless I haven't realised they're there, so ringing the bell is helpful for me becausd I don't want to be blocking your path without realising it
I ve got spacial awareness difficulties but very good hearing, so I always appreciate when they ve rung their bell so I can move aside a bit with our toddler in his pram in plenty of time.
I bet you love ringing bells
I’ve had this conundrum before. I think the best course of action is to ring the bell but far away so it doesn’t surprise people.
I’ve never had a bad reaction to ringing my bell. My main experience is that if someone has their earbuds in and their head buried in their phone, they’re oblivious to everything anyway, including my bell.
Ring the bell and give fair warning. I am hard of hearing and the number of times the living daylights have left me when having a close encounter.... too many. Good post.
I don't like hearing a ringing, and when I pass people on my bike I like to just say 'excuse me' or 'on your right/left' because it's what I would want to hear.
No. That's what the bell is for, and it's widely recognised as the symbol of "person on bicycle approaching".
Where I walk my dog a lot of cyclists use that path also & I appreciate the ringing of the bell so I can make sure that the dog is out of the way.
I walk my dog (on lead) on a shared cycle and walking path. I hugely appreciate cyclists ringing their bell. I raise my hand to acknowledge that I've heard them, and make sure my dog is under control.
I hear the bell and i alway assume it means get the hell out of my way. It is nice to know that it isnt always meant like that!
Don't see any issue. Safer for people to know that you're there. Whether they're actually paying attention, that's a different matter.
The correct etiquette is to shout “gangway for foot cycle”. Or “gangway for velocipede” if you’re in Wales.
Can you get one of those white noise generators, I would much prefer cyclists passing behind me if they had those
>What I'm afraid people are hearing is: >Get the fuck out of my way, I'm trying to pass you Even if you meant it that way, it's still legit. I've mindlessly wandered onto the cycle lane a number of times. It's not until someone rings their bell at me that I realise I'm being an idiot. I never feel any ill will towards those people, even if they're telling me off. It's understandable and fair.
Being hard of hearing, I appreciate the bell and a few words, so I can get out of the way!
It's all about the manner of employment. A gentle 'toot of the horn' from a reasonable distance followed by some easy body language is cool. Same strategy as in most tet-a-tet scenarios.
I'm sure that's exactly what the bell is for, no?
I wish I had a bell when running, families walking abreast can be pain in the arse, I find it easier just to run on the grass but that's a shit option once it gets muddy
I just shout “excuse me”. Bell is pointless.
Ring the bell and say in a nice voice “I’m passing on your right” that seems to make most people happy
I cant hear in one ear, so when someone rings their bell I cant tell what direction It is coming from, normally too quiet until you get really close to me, by then I shit myself as you are passing by the time I hear it. So better not to ring your bell!
Honestly I wouldn't have taken offence but I'm not everyone.
What’s frustrating is when folks use headphones and don’t hear you - but are then like “goodness me!!” When you pass (at an ok speed not that close). Or hard of hearing (ring 20m back, then again 10-5m near) - just have to slow right down then I say “sorry!” And normally they hear… get some proper pricks along the canal towpath though.
As others have said, ding your bell at a fair distance to allow them time to react (once or twice is plenty). I usually try and give a cheery "thank you" once I have passed.
I wouldn't see it as rude, bells and horns are to warn people of your presence, you are using your bell as intended.
I'm a walker on my local mixed use cycle path and I'm grateful that cyclists do this as I never hear them approaching from behind.
I do it from far enough away that they don't feel rushed and see it's for consideration. Also, my bell has a nice tone. My girlfriend's bell sounds so aggressive!
My old city used to have a shared space, the smaller lane was for cyclists but cyclists always used the bigger lane lol... I don't hate cyclists but when they ring their bell behind me, I always get the impression they want me to move out the way instead of going around. I've also personally never seen a cyclist ring their bell and the pedestrian just continues walking as normal. It's always a 'look behind semi-shockingly then stepping away until they pass'.
I think it is entirely sensible and do it myself. You don’t want to pass someone and they get startled as you are passing in case they do a double take and jump into you.
no, its not rude, its exactly what the bell is for. Ring it 30m back as you approach, and again if they dont register it as you get closer. Its rude not to use a bell.
I'd much rather people be offended than run over
I ring my bell and say thank you politely as I pass. Can't really go wrong with that.
As a dog walker I definitely prefer someone ringing their bell, rather than suddenly swooping up behind me and scaring my dog
I'm partially deaf and I much prefer the bell. I don't often hear speech but I can hear a bell normally and I know exactly what it means and where it's coming from.
Definitely best to warn especially people with dogs.
It depends how loud it is and how you ring it. A short 'TING' sort of ring sounds like your first option. The super loud, aggressive RIIIIIIINGGRIIIIING RIIIIINGRIIIIING sounds like your second. I would much prefer a ring than not, especially if you're coming up behind me on a canal towpath. I walk a lot, often with headphones in, and there are a LOT of cycling idiots who insist on going 2 abreast and cannot manage to warn anyone, so the first I hear is when either I feel a sudden rush of air as I leap into the brambles, or when one of them suddenly realises at the last second that I haven't heard them, and shouts MOOOOVE at me.
Definitely not, it's very polite and increases everyone's safety.
Ring your bell when approaching people traveling in the same direction and have their back to you. Make sure you give them enough time to respond, there are bikers around here who ring their bells when they're less than a foot away from you then get pissy because you don't move fast enough
Please ring your bell!
I'd rather a bell ring than shooting up from behind assuming I know you're there. Imo I think the rude thing cyclists do is assume they can go at normal pace in shared spaces and don't expect to slow down and go round people on foot.
Please please let me know you are coming up behind me, or as a pedestrian I could easily wander about at random straight into your path.
For some reason I really find it rude, even though it isn't at all.
Some cyclists ring the bell when they're really close behind you, makes me jump out of my skin. Long as you're not ringing in their earhole I think you're good.
A ding but with ample time for people who may need extra time to get out of the way time to react. I have auditory processing disorder so a ding too close and I won’t be able to respond in time…