Discussion: Bells

Do you have a bike bell? I am personally anti-bell as in my experience they cause the person you are supposedly warning to behave in unpredictable ways. Far better to say 'On your right' or whatever, although admittedly that can cause confusion for old people or people who don't know their right from their left side (e.g. me). My boss (a gun MTBer) claims that police in NSW have been booking cyclists for not having bells. Hopefully the AFP have better things to do in Canberra!

I generally say 'ON your right' but did forget this time - build up of retirees on the track. I don't have a bell - just seems silly when you have this lightweight road bike designed for fast to plop a bell on the handlebars. No contact from AFP yet or retiree vigilante groups so hopefully ok. Do you bell?

I eventually adopted the use of a bell and even have a small one on my MTB as well (riding on bike paths often since I don't like my bike getting dirty). My daughter bought one for my roadie as a Xmas present (so had to use it) - has a fox type face on it which meant I also got a few comments initially from my peloton. But now they often rely on me to let other slower path users know that we are fast approaching. While my bike is probably not as lightweight and as fast as yours (I did not pay $10k) I am now sold on a bell. Only had someone complain once when passing despite having rang bell twice - I reminded them they had ear phones in listening to something on their phone !

I have a bell on mine and use it - but I can't think of a single instance when I was better off after using it. People either ignore it or turn and sidestep, usually into my path.

I once got abused by a cyclist on the Hobart Rivulet Track (when I was running), who dinged me then got cross because I stepped to the side...which happened to be the same side he was on. Evidently I was supposed to intuit that from the Doppler effect.

Another thought about the lightweight bike - you are putting around 76 kgs on it so hard to see another 100 grams for a bell will make a huge difference. Sorry to be rational.

Yeh I think the weight thing is a lame excuse. I just don't want a bell as seems something for a kids bike. Yelling on the right is usually ok but as I say forgot this time. I wonder if they have Western Bulldogs Premiership bells? I'd get one of those.

A continuously sounding modest fog horn might work. Bells don't penetrate past music through ear plugs.

"modest" fog horn. I like it.

Reckon the Premiership bell would be so big that it causes wind resistance?

I guess so if in the shape of the actual Premiership cup? I'd still use it despite wind issue.

A taser?

A taser. Now apart from making me laugh out loud that is a very good idea.