What's the deal with bells?

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There is this video on youtube that checks how people react to different types of bike sound signalling (bells). They check these air-pressure horns, electric signals etc.

Somehow the simple bell gets more people noticing the bike. Maybe because it's been around for so long?

I know I haven't been overly active, but why would I NOT be serious about that question? Also my question is not about a bell vs. horn question, but how to properly use the bell. Do I wear it out as I ride in an urban area or, like a car horn, will that make me look like an assholio and lead to a disregard (a problem in Birmingham, AL)?

Opinions differ. Where I'm at, bicycles ridden in traffic has to have a bell. And brakes. Reflectors and lights at night. Since not having one seems like a silly way to lose $100 on the off chance of being stopped, I've got one. Many, particularly fully kitted out road riders, don't. I use mine to call attention to my approach. Seems a bit more civilized than hollering "Coming through" every other minute. Not as much to clear a path as to say "keep steady while I pass". But sure, if cyclists or pedestrians are riding/walking shoulder-to-shoulder somewhere a bit narrow, then I would expect them to make room for me. But bells are a bit hit-and-miss. Some pedestrians get very surprised at being signalled at, and may ricochet in rather random directions. So there's a strong following for the "stealth" approach - if they don't know you're coming, they have no reason to scatter. Might be safer, but definitely scarier. Personally though, I like bells even when they're used to signal me. The bell is clear and unambiguous, and I know what's a reasonable response to it - hug my edge and no sudden moves. Mixed vocalizations and horns aren't at all as clear, and I'll usually want to see where the signal is coming from before I decide what to do about it. And I really don't like being overtaken at speed close enough to rub elbows straight out of the blue. A few inches of wobble would be enough for the bars to tangle, and then the next thing is a faceplant. Either way, you'll never make everybody happy. Some get annoyed at being signalled at, some get annoyed over a sneak overtaking. I apply the "do unto others etc" approach, and signal where it's narrow.

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by lectraplayer

I know I haven't been overly active, but why would I NOT be serious about that question?

Also my question is not about a bell vs. horn question, but how to properly use the bell. Do I wear it out as I ride in an urban area or, like a car horn, will that make me look like an assholio and lead to a disregard (a problem in Birmingham, AL)?

Dunno might were trolling or something and not be a cyclist at all.

If you are riding on a bike path were some tourists didn't notice and walk on it, the bell is a nice polite way of informing them that you are passing so they can be a bit more careful. I haven't seen people getting offended when somebody rings a bell on a bike.

These pressured-air sound blasters... Maybe not too polite. Not many people are used to them so they might not even know what they are when they hear them?

Bells are probably not very useful in car traffic.

Nice to know. I tend to stay out of foot traffic and mostly ride push roads. I may need to get one before riding Oak Mountain and those trails behind Sanford U I intend to ride. While we're here, does anybody use those baster-bulb type bugles? Again, I see them in stores and they're flying off the shelves, but I'm not seeing many on the bikes I run across.

lectraplayer said:

Nice to know. I tend to stay out of foot traffic and mostly ride push roads. I may need to get one before riding Oak Mountain and those trails behind Sanford U I intend to ride. While we're here, does anybody use those baster-bulb type bugles? Again, I see them in stores and they're flying off the shelves, but I'm not seeing many on the bikes I run across.

You bean like a horn? Over here, they'd be formally illegal, although I've never heard of anyone fined for using ones. They tend to go on kid's bikes.

How can they be illegal? They're a signalling device right on. I've not heard that one.

lectraplayer said:

How can they be illegal? They're a signalling device right on. I've not heard that one.

Same reason that turn signals, blinkers are illegal on bikes. Other road users should know what they're facing. Bell = bicycle. Horn = an engine powered vehicle. Blinkers=engine powered vehicle.

I did not know turn signals were illegal either. All laws I'm digging up say "HORN OR BELL." Obviously I wouldn't want Life Hack's Mack Truck horn on a bicycle.

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by lectraplayer

How can they be illegal? They're a signalling device right on. I've not heard that one.

Nothing to see here... [IMG]files.cyclingforums.combig smile.pngOpen ↗[/IMG]

Did you see a sign about "trolling storage" anywhere?

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I see now that some places require cyclists to "sound a bell, horn, or hollar" when approaching a pedestrian. I'm not sure about navigating a crowded sidewalk. Would I be better off pushing? ...no trollin storage, but I did hear "Trollin' trollin' trollin'! What?" Annoying Orange heard it too.

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by lectraplayer

I see now that some places require cyclists to "sound a bell, horn, or hollar" when approaching a pedestrian. I'm not sure about navigating a crowded sidewalk. Would I be better off pushing?

...no trollin storage, but I did hear "Trollin' trollin' trollin'! What?" Annoying Orange heard it too.

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Have you taken over care of Daneboe's pet troll? I thought I killed that thing years ago! http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YTcHWtYMcts

I can't figure out the bell thing either, it's suppose to be required in the state that I live in but I never bought one because bells cannot be from heard inside a car, and as far as pedestrians are concerned I can yell louder than any bell could even get 1/4th of the half way to, plus to activate a bell you have to use a hand you could be using for braking instead. Bells? no thank you.

I think ths bell is intended to get the attention of pedestrians. Visit LifeHack for automotive traffic.

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by lectraplayer

I think ths bell is intended to get the attention of pedestrians. Visit LifeHack for automotive traffic.

Problem is most peds are wearing buds thus they can't even hear me yell and I can yell far louder than any bell that goes ding. Again I would rather have my hands freed up to prevent an accident by being able to apply both brakes instead of one brake while the other hand makes a useless dinging sound. That's why God gave us months.

That's also why most bells are intended to go against the brake handle (or that's where I've seen them). You hit the bell with your thumb while you clamp the brake handle with your other digits. ...but like I mentioned earlier, I stay out of heavy foot traffic so they don't see much action. It's also illegal to drive with headphones in Alabama. It may also be illegal to use headphones when walking or biking on the public roadways as well for the same reason we bring them up here. Some headphones silence the outside so well you can scream in their ear and they never know it.

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by Froze
Problem is most peds are wearing buds thus they can't even hear me yell and I can yell far louder than any bell that goes ding. Again I would rather have my hands freed up to prevent an accident by being able to apply both brakes instead of one brake while the other hand makes a useless dinging sound. That's why God gave us months.

Bells aren't for panic situations, but for all other times when passing a ped or jogger on the bike path. It's just a polite way to alert people you're passing, rather than startling them as you go by, or worse, have them wander over into your path without knowing you're passing. Obviously yelling and braking are a backup plan, always available.

Also nice if you're approaching a blind corner and want to make your presence known without having to call out. Most peds on the greenway where I ride aren't wearing ear buds, and respond very nicely to the ding of a bell when being passed.

I don't have one on my bike currently, but one guy I ride with weekly does. He does a lot of big century rides, and says the bell is useful in signaling other riders when he's passing.

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by dhk2

Bells aren't for panic situations, but for all other times when passing a ped or jogger on the bike path. It's just a polite way to alert people you're passing, rather than startling them as you go by, or worse, have them wander over into your path without knowing you're passing. Obviously yelling and braking are a backup plan, always available.

Also nice if you're approaching a blind corner and want to make your presence known without having to call out. Most peds on the greenway where I ride aren't wearing ear buds, and respond very nicely to the ding of a bell when being passed.

I don't have one on my bike currently, but one guy I ride with weekly does. He does a lot of big century rides, and says the bell is useful in signaling other riders when he's passing.

Great, so what? I can still use the voice God gave me to do the same thing in "non panic" situations and be polite about it.

Most peds and cyclists where I live wear ear buds when they're out walking or jogging or riding. I don't mind calling out when I come to a blind corner on our Greenway, it's easier and quicker than to activate a bell or horn.

I don't have a bell either and the only people I see that have bells are the folks riding Electras! It seems that Electra riders like their bells, and their wicker front baskets.