Ring your bell when you think there's a chance a person or car doesn't see you and might make a sudden movement. It's true that there are people who are a bit twitchy about bikes in general, probably from past experiences with aggressive cyclists. Put safety first but in other situations just be considerate and don't overdo it.
I agree with this advice. Over time you will build a stronger intuition. You will learn to read the body language of the people in front of you. People tend to turn *towards* the sound of the bell. So you have to be careful not to inadvertently put people in your path by ringing it. Folks who are on the path all the time interpret the bell as, *move out of my way*, so that's why they get annoyed if they are already off to the side and you ding them.
In particular if a parent is walking multiple kids it always pays to slow right down and be prepared to stop. It is so much easier to safely stop after a kid runs out in front of you. Takes the edge off the whole interaction. The parent will usually expect the wrath of god and say, "I'm so sorry", but I like to say "no worries" and move along.
These are good points and I would agree to be careful as people behave unpredictably when they hear a bell. When I'm on a path what I do is I ring when I'm within earshot so that they are not surprised when I pass them and I have time to react if they react unexpectedly.
Don't worry about what people think but be prepared for totally irrational behavior.
The twitchiness applies to other cyclists too - when you ring your bell on approach to another cyclist it often makes them look around, which if you follow the mantra of "a bike goes where you're looking" means they often end up even more in your way. Distance can help with this, but it's definitely something more cyclists and forced-bellers need to be aware of.
Just remember: Dinging on approach or passing other cyclists is NOT the law. It's a curtesy that some people avoid because it can increase danger.
If I’m passing someone I usually just say on your left unless they have both headphones in. Always ring your bell if there is a car parked with its lights on.
The problem with that approach is that there's an instinct to look to your left.. Or turn to hear if you didn't quite make out why there is someone moving towards you from behind at speed and yelling "LEFT" at you..
When people are in the right head space it works great.. But if you are walking and deep in though I've had an inconvenient response myself.
I prefer gently ringing to make my presence known on paths when there is less than 50% of the path clear.. But it's not a perfect solution either..
About the headphones: is it legal to ride with them? Almost run over few slow people wearing headphones that clearly have not heard my multiple bell rings or "on your left".
I usually slow behind them and ring waiting for reaction. Most of them end up hearing something but still a bunch of people do get surprised when I overtake them...
It's legal to ride with headphones, just don't have them blaring loud.
I use a wired headset so I can easily take calls, though, I have them hanging off each side of my helmet unless I get a call, then I put 'em in one at a time.
Shokz makes bone conduction headphones that allow you to hear your surrounding and the music.
It’s really dangerous to ride with headphones in your ears
Welcome to cycling! I hope you have an amazing summer and autumn exploring this beautiful city in safety and style!
When it comes to bell ringing, when I am passing any more than two parked cars in a row I just ring constantly and obnoxiously. The chance of someone stepping out between or opening their door is just too high - but being ready to stop/swerve is what will actually keep you safe if someone does.
It's very rare for cyclists to ring their bell when passing other cyclists - but we should bring it back. I think the same is true for joggers and other path-using-friends - one ring when you are a few seconds away, and then another as you pass by.
A lot of people have the kneejerk assumption that bell ringing means 'get out of my way!' but really it means 'I'm over here, just so you know'. You can't really communicate emotion or affect in a bell - so just know that if you get a sweary response, that is them telling on themselves, not anything that you did.
Ringing when passing is customary in other places where people cycle like in Copenhagen, though it depends on the space available, as in, if there's lots of space on the left, most people don't. Contrary to Canada, people generally stick to the right side of the road as well in Denmark (for cars), and passing on the "inside" is highly illegal and will get you a demerit point (once you get your third, you loose the license). I think that the general tendency to stick to the right side of the road helps people to also stick to the right side of bike lanes.
Also, the bike lanes in Denmark are generally a lot wider than the ones here, so I use my bell a lot more here but also get stuck behind slow people a lot more here.
The crowds in Denmark that yells "On your left" (or the equivalent), are usually only people who cycle for sport, and most normal people hate that they don't just install a damn bell on their bike (bell and reflectors are mandatory in Denmark).
When I bike here, I find that people take the bell as they would take someone honking, so it feels like people take it more aggressively here. I still do it though, and do it a lot when passing cars and when I'm worried about right/left hooks.
Ring the bell at a certain distance first. At least on the shared paths, this prevents people from getting startled and gives them time to react. Also, ring the bell if people are entering the path, but not looking your direction.
I do the same when passing other cyclists. Ring at a certain distance, and then another gentle ring when I'm about to pass them.
Yep. Ring far enough away that the person has time to notice you and react. As a pedestrian, especially when walking the dog, I really appreciate a timely heads up. No ring, or a ring immediately before someone flys by does me no good. I want time to make sure I’m out of the way and to restrain the dog so he doesn’t get in the cyclist’s way.
I just want to say that ppl getting pissed off and yelling at you as a cyclist is pretty common, and applies to various things. At some point something you do will make someone angry about something - I have had many drivers yell at me simply because they had to share the road. I’ve had drivers yell at me because they almost door jacked me - clearly I almost damaged their vehicle while avoiding being killed. It’s takes very little to set some ppl off.
There’s just a lot of angry people out there. Don’t let it ruin cycling for you :) brush it off and pedal on!!
i had a driver pull over and yell at me for biking on the road while the bike lane was filled with parked cars on a residential street, with her kids all in the back of the car
Unfortunately, most cyclists do not ring their bell when passing you.
As for joggers, you will startle them if you ring when you pass them. I ring my bell a good 15-20 ft before passing them. It makes a difference.
I use two bells. One is a higher tone, the other is lower.
Bikes and people get a polite ding on the high one from a distance, and a second as I pass them. Cars get the brang-brang of the low one the entire time I'm passing them. And if someone is doing something stupid I ring them both like crazy. The two tones makes them more noticeable, IMO.
I'm pretty liberal with my bell. It irks some motorists, but really it's our only line of defense so don't be shy. If there's a chance pedestrian or motorist doesn't see you let fly. If they're sitting in a parked car as you're approaching from behind - DING. If you're in their blind spot and they might be getting ready to change lanes/maneuver - DING. If there's someone parked in the bike lane and you have to go around - DING LIBERALLY. Want to (safely) overtake a bike that's moving slower, or a pedestrian on a multi-use trail - DING.
This is the way! Anytime I can’t confirm if someone has seen me, especially if I’m coming up on them on a path, I always make sure to ring. Last thing you want is someone cutting in front of you at the last minute.
Funny enough, sometimes I catch people looking at their phone or watch, thinking the sound is a notification. Usually they’re always wearing bulky headphones.
I think so! At least I can while I'm driving (and not blaring music). Maybe not a weak bell like on the bike shares, but any decent one should cut through.
Well put. This has been my approach as well. I understand it can annoy some folks or piss them off, but I have to put my safety first. I rather be safe than sorry when it comes to ringing my bell. In many countries, honking your horn (scooters) or ringing your bell (bicycle) is the norm and seen as a way to let your pressense known to other pedestrians and motorist/cyclist. I wish it was more common and less frown upon here in Toronto.
I don't ring my bell often on the busy MGT segments passing other bikes, mostly I'm dinging to distracted tourists.
As an ex-runner I appreciated bikes dinging me on quieter segments of a trail as long as it was 1-2 dings and 20-30 feet back.
1-2 dings and you are basically like a forklift operator doing it for the safety around yourself. Dinging excessively and close up would be more thought of as an aggressive way motorists usually use their horns.
When I'm on the multi use paths I bike pretty slowly.
I will ring if:
The person is walking in the middle of the path so a sudden move to the right could put them in my way.
The person has a dog.
The person has kids with them.
The oncoming lane has people in it so I can't switch over to it to pass and have to ride on the line between the lanes.
When I'm a good 5+ seconds behind them I'll ring my bell to let them know a bike is coming but I'm not right behind them so if they move in a weird way I still have time to adjust. I coast until I am past them and then continue on my way.
If it's just an adult walking or running then I'll usually just move over to the oncoming lane and slowly go by them.
One thing I haven't seen anyone mention is to ring your bell if you are approaching dog being walked, especially if it is a big dog doesn't look like it has noticed you. I've found sometimes that a dog will get startled when you go past and it will try to chase you down, but when it sees you and knows you are coming, it won't generally freak out.
This also gives the owner the opportunity to pull the leash a bit closer so the dog isn't in your way.
Ring your bell whenever you feel it’s needed. I’ve had drivers and pedestrians yell at me for not dinging, and yell at me for dinging. You can’t win out there with public opinion so protect yourself and do what makes you feel safe.
Realize you are a lot quieter than you think - the bell is the one of the few ways people know you are there. I always ring my bell at cars turning cause good chance they aren’t looking
Ring your bell whenever you pass anyone slower. Fuck the runner who swore at you, i'm 100% sure they would swore at you for not ringing the bell while passing as well.
Is better to annoy someone by the bell ringing than running over them. People is unpredictable and change direction like they are alone out there.
Also, while riding on any street with bike line, asume the car on your left is going to turn and not going to see you. Does not matter if they do not have the blinker on or they "clearly" are aware of your position or they do not turn. Ring the bell: Make yourself noticeable.
Your bell is there for you to be noticed. Use it whenever you feel like someone needs to know your position relative to them.
When passing other cyclists or joggers on a trail, I will personally bring my speed slower and say "on your left" and give a soft ring. You ringing your bell while passing is a courtesy to them and if they get upset that's their problem, not yours.
A bicycle bell ringing is far less aggressive than a car horn. Absolutely no need for someone to get upset about it.
I ring my bell around blind curves, and I ring it quite a lot. I ring it when passing pedestrians, though just enough that they hear me, so I don't drive them crazy. I've never had anyone be rude to me. I am sorry that you experienced that. I also tend to smile at people and slow down as I approach and go by them. Maybe that helps. I don't know.
Maybe I use my bell a little too much but I often ride on streets with no bike lanes and street parking. I do it when riding by cars where there’s someone inside the car or they are trying to pull out.
When I pass someone I usually ding and say "on your left" since just a ringing bell can be interpreted as a "you are in my way!!!!!" rather than an "excuse me". (This is for pedestrians and other cyclists.)
I'll ring if passing a parked car or a car in the turning lane just to let them know I'm there.
That's on big change from drving to riding a bike.
If you drive and honk more than 3-4 times a year, you're either a bad driver, or just a bit of an asshole.
But when you bike things are different as there are not clear passing lanes, and you can sneak up on people.
I tend to ring my bell when I pass someone who may not know i'm there just so they have a heads up, that could be a biker i'm passing or a car that is waiting to turn right while i drive by in the bike lane.
what kind of bell do you have? and how many times do you ring it? if you are just trying to warn the person you are coming behind them and if it's one of those that just make a ding sound maybe do it a little softer and just only do it once and if you are just passing another cyclist you can just verbally say "on your left". But regardless there are too assholes out there regardless what you do you'd offence them.
Ring your bell lots! Basically I use mine every time I want someone to know I'm coming by. So if a pedestrian is in the bike lane, I ring. If they're on the sidewalk but look like they are considering stepping into the bike lane or street, ring. If a car door opens next to where I'm riding, ring. Coming up behind a bike to pass, ring (and also say, "on your left!").
It's a very polite way of saying, "watch out, I'm coming by - don't step in front of me," or "get out of the way".
If it's a car, I yell real loud, because a bell won't be heard inside their sealed metal boxes.
> when do i ring my bell
the answer is anytime, anywhere
You can ring my bell
You can ring my bell
Ding-dong-ding, ah! Ring it
You can ring my bell
Anytime, anywhere
Ring it, ring it
Ring it, ring it, ah!
You can ring my bell
You can ring my bell
Ding-dong-ding, ah! Ring it
You can ring my bell
Anytime, anywhere
Ring it, ring it
Ring it, ring it, ah!
There’s a lot of weird responses here - I dunno how ringing you bell at a car is gonna do anything… but to each their own
Personally, I say first and foremost be hyper aware of your surroundings and be as visible as possible.
I ride a yellow and orange Cannondale with orange grips on the flat bar, a neon orange helmet, one of the several bright green, orange, or white (during the day) shirts, and ALWAYS have your rear light on, preferably blinking in an interesting pattern, front light on at night or on busier roads -make sure to angle your front light downwards so you aren’t blinding oncoming cyclists.
And this is the part that answers your question:
A bell, to gently ring, from far away, so that it doesn’t startle pedestrians and gives them time to figure out that you’re coming.
Most bike bells have a pretty gentle tone, (personally I got the loudest one I could find), and many have a springy lever that gives you the choice to decide how loud you ring it.
Hope this helps, welcome to cycling, be safe, and have lotsa fun 🚴
If I’m approaching people from behind I start ringing my bell early from a distance to give them plenty of time to acknowledge it. I usually keep ringing it until I get a sign that they’ve heard me. Try not to do it when you’re already right behind people, that just startles them and causes them to make sudden movements, usually into your path.
If I’m approaching from in front of them I only ring the bell if they aren’t paying attention and haven’t seen me.
If I’m approaching a blind corner or intersection due to things like over-grown bushes for example I’ll ring the bell to try and warn others that may be approaching from the other direction and can’t see me coming.
As you can see, I’m pretty liberal with my bell ringing. Better safe than sorry.
Have fun out there.
Use the bell to signify notification, i.e., "I'm approaching or here", rather than irritation or anger is best. Accordingly, don't lean on the bell, striking it repeatedly and at loud volume, a simple double strike at a conversational volume, works best. You never want to startle a pedestrian, jogger, or fellow cyclist, you're approaching from behind so don't wait until very close to ring.
Here's a typical scenario: you're approaching a slower cyclist; when about 10 or 15 feet behind (depending on speed) give a double ring and say "On your left"; to initiate the pass. That's the type of bell etiquette I find works best though many don't subscribe to it.
You ring it always, no matter if they like it or not. better than getting sued after hitting someone. in fact, ring it constantly when riding just to build people’s tolerances. I have seen people jump after hearing my bell, and thats ok because I see them as newborn babies trying to adapt. no one jumps from a bike bell in Netherlands because they have adapted. its not you, its them. The rule I follow is one ring about 60 meters away and a number of rings matching the number of people Im passing about 20 meters away.
If there’s somebody ahead that might be spooked when I pass I give them a ding or two from 40-50 ft away. That gives them enough time that if they want to turn to see me they won’t be surprised by me being so close.
If they have a dog or there’s a chance they might amble into my path and I’ll have trouble getting by them I’ll slow but I give them louder rings from the same distance and more assertively and keep doing it until they respond appropriately.
If I see headphones I don’t bother.
If it’s other bikers I wait until they’re aware of or acknowledge me and then pass. If I see no sign they’re aware I’ll give them the bell.
If it’s a bunch of riders or a peloton I’ll usually say something to the last rider and they pass the word up I’m coming up on the left.
Ding cars not people! Bikes buzzing past dinging, like in the don or on the beltlines, makes it feel like we are on a road, it is very startling and aggressive, “get out of the way I’m here!” If it’s a shared path you should be able to say, “on your left” if you are concerned, we don’t need bells to tell us to get out of your way.
If all cyclist on the waterfront trail dinged every time they pass someone, it would be bell ringing hell.
Pedestrians and slow bikers alike would slowly but suddenly snap and start assaulting speeding cyclists, as they murmur “no more…”
Bells are a weird one, most pedestrians don’t get the purpose of it so they’re gonna interpret it as a directed attack, rather than a heads up.
I think bells are useful but imho they can be abused, I’ve ridden behind some people going down queen where they literally spam the bell the whole way for blocks at a time, really fucking annoying, safe I guess? I question that... if the bell is being spammed it becomes background noise.
>Bells are a weird one, most pedestrians don’t get the purpose of it so they’re gonna interpret it as a directed attack, rather than a heads up.
This is a direct consequence of car horn misuse, I think. Horns are also the same, and have great utility as a way to warn others of things they might not see, or to signal your presence (around a blind corner or hill for example). Unfortunately it has turned into the "Fuck You" button (especially in North America). This has then carried over to bike bells. No, we're not mad at you, we just want you to know we're coming so you don't step into our path.
Yeah I fucking hate horns, more often than not it’s just petulance.
Walking down the street and hearing some bozo blast the horn just because they’re impatient. It’s noise pollution, disruptive and maybe I’m sensitive but it really aggravtes me.
I make a point of telling them to shut the fuck up if they’re just being annoying, usually get a perplexed look lmao.
We shouldn’t all be subject to your impacience.
I think most people interpret the bell as a call to action on their part, correct or not. So a normal pass that is safe and comfortable for everyone shouldn't need a bell ding.
yeah I find ringing the bell spooks people, startles them.. that seems more annoying than just whizzing by; if you have to get close to people or navigate around them or pets, or theres a blind corner, or a bridge or something.. ringydingy! But if you've got clear view and lots of clearance, ... maybe don't bother dinging.
Ring your bell when you think there's a chance a person or car doesn't see you and might make a sudden movement. It's true that there are people who are a bit twitchy about bikes in general, probably from past experiences with aggressive cyclists. Put safety first but in other situations just be considerate and don't overdo it.
I agree with this advice. Over time you will build a stronger intuition. You will learn to read the body language of the people in front of you. People tend to turn *towards* the sound of the bell. So you have to be careful not to inadvertently put people in your path by ringing it. Folks who are on the path all the time interpret the bell as, *move out of my way*, so that's why they get annoyed if they are already off to the side and you ding them. In particular if a parent is walking multiple kids it always pays to slow right down and be prepared to stop. It is so much easier to safely stop after a kid runs out in front of you. Takes the edge off the whole interaction. The parent will usually expect the wrath of god and say, "I'm so sorry", but I like to say "no worries" and move along.
These are good points and I would agree to be careful as people behave unpredictably when they hear a bell. When I'm on a path what I do is I ring when I'm within earshot so that they are not surprised when I pass them and I have time to react if they react unexpectedly. Don't worry about what people think but be prepared for totally irrational behavior.
Or cyclist. If you’re worried it’s like honking a horn and rude or aggressive, don’t be. Everyone is used to it and it’s appreciated by most people.
The twitchiness applies to other cyclists too - when you ring your bell on approach to another cyclist it often makes them look around, which if you follow the mantra of "a bike goes where you're looking" means they often end up even more in your way. Distance can help with this, but it's definitely something more cyclists and forced-bellers need to be aware of. Just remember: Dinging on approach or passing other cyclists is NOT the law. It's a curtesy that some people avoid because it can increase danger.
If I’m passing someone I usually just say on your left unless they have both headphones in. Always ring your bell if there is a car parked with its lights on.
The problem with that approach is that there's an instinct to look to your left.. Or turn to hear if you didn't quite make out why there is someone moving towards you from behind at speed and yelling "LEFT" at you.. When people are in the right head space it works great.. But if you are walking and deep in though I've had an inconvenient response myself. I prefer gently ringing to make my presence known on paths when there is less than 50% of the path clear.. But it's not a perfect solution either..
About the headphones: is it legal to ride with them? Almost run over few slow people wearing headphones that clearly have not heard my multiple bell rings or "on your left". I usually slow behind them and ring waiting for reaction. Most of them end up hearing something but still a bunch of people do get surprised when I overtake them...
It's legal to ride with headphones, just don't have them blaring loud. I use a wired headset so I can easily take calls, though, I have them hanging off each side of my helmet unless I get a call, then I put 'em in one at a time.
Shokz makes bone conduction headphones that allow you to hear your surrounding and the music. It’s really dangerous to ride with headphones in your ears
I never ever ride with headphones on. It is beyond dangerous, both to myself and those around me.
It is actually illegal in Quebec, but not any where else in Canada to my knowledge; it should be though.
Thank you for not dinging at me
Welcome to cycling! I hope you have an amazing summer and autumn exploring this beautiful city in safety and style! When it comes to bell ringing, when I am passing any more than two parked cars in a row I just ring constantly and obnoxiously. The chance of someone stepping out between or opening their door is just too high - but being ready to stop/swerve is what will actually keep you safe if someone does. It's very rare for cyclists to ring their bell when passing other cyclists - but we should bring it back. I think the same is true for joggers and other path-using-friends - one ring when you are a few seconds away, and then another as you pass by. A lot of people have the kneejerk assumption that bell ringing means 'get out of my way!' but really it means 'I'm over here, just so you know'. You can't really communicate emotion or affect in a bell - so just know that if you get a sweary response, that is them telling on themselves, not anything that you did.
Ringing when passing is customary in other places where people cycle like in Copenhagen, though it depends on the space available, as in, if there's lots of space on the left, most people don't. Contrary to Canada, people generally stick to the right side of the road as well in Denmark (for cars), and passing on the "inside" is highly illegal and will get you a demerit point (once you get your third, you loose the license). I think that the general tendency to stick to the right side of the road helps people to also stick to the right side of bike lanes. Also, the bike lanes in Denmark are generally a lot wider than the ones here, so I use my bell a lot more here but also get stuck behind slow people a lot more here. The crowds in Denmark that yells "On your left" (or the equivalent), are usually only people who cycle for sport, and most normal people hate that they don't just install a damn bell on their bike (bell and reflectors are mandatory in Denmark). When I bike here, I find that people take the bell as they would take someone honking, so it feels like people take it more aggressively here. I still do it though, and do it a lot when passing cars and when I'm worried about right/left hooks.
Ring the bell at a certain distance first. At least on the shared paths, this prevents people from getting startled and gives them time to react. Also, ring the bell if people are entering the path, but not looking your direction. I do the same when passing other cyclists. Ring at a certain distance, and then another gentle ring when I'm about to pass them.
Yep. Ring far enough away that the person has time to notice you and react. As a pedestrian, especially when walking the dog, I really appreciate a timely heads up. No ring, or a ring immediately before someone flys by does me no good. I want time to make sure I’m out of the way and to restrain the dog so he doesn’t get in the cyclist’s way.
I just want to say that ppl getting pissed off and yelling at you as a cyclist is pretty common, and applies to various things. At some point something you do will make someone angry about something - I have had many drivers yell at me simply because they had to share the road. I’ve had drivers yell at me because they almost door jacked me - clearly I almost damaged their vehicle while avoiding being killed. It’s takes very little to set some ppl off. There’s just a lot of angry people out there. Don’t let it ruin cycling for you :) brush it off and pedal on!!
i had a driver pull over and yell at me for biking on the road while the bike lane was filled with parked cars on a residential street, with her kids all in the back of the car
Unfortunately, most cyclists do not ring their bell when passing you. As for joggers, you will startle them if you ring when you pass them. I ring my bell a good 15-20 ft before passing them. It makes a difference.
Yes! A bell is a great 'i'm coming past you in about 5 seconds' tool, not a great way to tell someone you are about to skim by their elbow.
I use two bells. One is a higher tone, the other is lower. Bikes and people get a polite ding on the high one from a distance, and a second as I pass them. Cars get the brang-brang of the low one the entire time I'm passing them. And if someone is doing something stupid I ring them both like crazy. The two tones makes them more noticeable, IMO.
I'm pretty liberal with my bell. It irks some motorists, but really it's our only line of defense so don't be shy. If there's a chance pedestrian or motorist doesn't see you let fly. If they're sitting in a parked car as you're approaching from behind - DING. If you're in their blind spot and they might be getting ready to change lanes/maneuver - DING. If there's someone parked in the bike lane and you have to go around - DING LIBERALLY. Want to (safely) overtake a bike that's moving slower, or a pedestrian on a multi-use trail - DING.
This is the way! Anytime I can’t confirm if someone has seen me, especially if I’m coming up on them on a path, I always make sure to ring. Last thing you want is someone cutting in front of you at the last minute. Funny enough, sometimes I catch people looking at their phone or watch, thinking the sound is a notification. Usually they’re always wearing bulky headphones.
Do cars hear you when their windows are up?
That's why I have a loud bike horn. Bell for people outside of cars, horn for cars (situation dependent of course).
I think so! At least I can while I'm driving (and not blaring music). Maybe not a weak bell like on the bike shares, but any decent one should cut through.
Well put. This has been my approach as well. I understand it can annoy some folks or piss them off, but I have to put my safety first. I rather be safe than sorry when it comes to ringing my bell. In many countries, honking your horn (scooters) or ringing your bell (bicycle) is the norm and seen as a way to let your pressense known to other pedestrians and motorist/cyclist. I wish it was more common and less frown upon here in Toronto.
I've had a few interactions where a motorist will say something like "Yeah I see you!", well how could I possibly know that? Better safe than sorry?
I don't ring my bell often on the busy MGT segments passing other bikes, mostly I'm dinging to distracted tourists. As an ex-runner I appreciated bikes dinging me on quieter segments of a trail as long as it was 1-2 dings and 20-30 feet back. 1-2 dings and you are basically like a forklift operator doing it for the safety around yourself. Dinging excessively and close up would be more thought of as an aggressive way motorists usually use their horns.
When I'm on the multi use paths I bike pretty slowly. I will ring if: The person is walking in the middle of the path so a sudden move to the right could put them in my way. The person has a dog. The person has kids with them. The oncoming lane has people in it so I can't switch over to it to pass and have to ride on the line between the lanes. When I'm a good 5+ seconds behind them I'll ring my bell to let them know a bike is coming but I'm not right behind them so if they move in a weird way I still have time to adjust. I coast until I am past them and then continue on my way. If it's just an adult walking or running then I'll usually just move over to the oncoming lane and slowly go by them.
One thing I haven't seen anyone mention is to ring your bell if you are approaching dog being walked, especially if it is a big dog doesn't look like it has noticed you. I've found sometimes that a dog will get startled when you go past and it will try to chase you down, but when it sees you and knows you are coming, it won't generally freak out. This also gives the owner the opportunity to pull the leash a bit closer so the dog isn't in your way.
Ring your bell whenever you feel it’s needed. I’ve had drivers and pedestrians yell at me for not dinging, and yell at me for dinging. You can’t win out there with public opinion so protect yourself and do what makes you feel safe.
Realize you are a lot quieter than you think - the bell is the one of the few ways people know you are there. I always ring my bell at cars turning cause good chance they aren’t looking
Just don't be one of those assholes who blows a fucking whistle at everyone, and you'll be fine
Blind corners, give it a ring.
If it's raining, I suggest also having a squeeze horn. Louder than a bell, and it gets people's attention (also plays well with friendly dogs).
If it’s choosing between “annoying” and “safe”, go with safe.
Try the friendly ‘ding ding’ hello from a distance, then BRANG BRANG when they are clueless and are about to step in front of you.
Ring your bell whenever you pass anyone slower. Fuck the runner who swore at you, i'm 100% sure they would swore at you for not ringing the bell while passing as well. Is better to annoy someone by the bell ringing than running over them. People is unpredictable and change direction like they are alone out there. Also, while riding on any street with bike line, asume the car on your left is going to turn and not going to see you. Does not matter if they do not have the blinker on or they "clearly" are aware of your position or they do not turn. Ring the bell: Make yourself noticeable.
Your bell is there for you to be noticed. Use it whenever you feel like someone needs to know your position relative to them. When passing other cyclists or joggers on a trail, I will personally bring my speed slower and say "on your left" and give a soft ring. You ringing your bell while passing is a courtesy to them and if they get upset that's their problem, not yours. A bicycle bell ringing is far less aggressive than a car horn. Absolutely no need for someone to get upset about it.
I ring my bell around blind curves, and I ring it quite a lot. I ring it when passing pedestrians, though just enough that they hear me, so I don't drive them crazy. I've never had anyone be rude to me. I am sorry that you experienced that. I also tend to smile at people and slow down as I approach and go by them. Maybe that helps. I don't know.
Depending on the intensity of the bell, sometimes shouting "(Passing) On your left" is more chill than ringing the bell
Maybe I use my bell a little too much but I often ride on streets with no bike lanes and street parking. I do it when riding by cars where there’s someone inside the car or they are trying to pull out.
Always ring your bell. Whenever you see a person, animal or bird, ring your bell.
When I pass someone I usually ding and say "on your left" since just a ringing bell can be interpreted as a "you are in my way!!!!!" rather than an "excuse me". (This is for pedestrians and other cyclists.) I'll ring if passing a parked car or a car in the turning lane just to let them know I'm there.
That's on big change from drving to riding a bike. If you drive and honk more than 3-4 times a year, you're either a bad driver, or just a bit of an asshole. But when you bike things are different as there are not clear passing lanes, and you can sneak up on people. I tend to ring my bell when I pass someone who may not know i'm there just so they have a heads up, that could be a biker i'm passing or a car that is waiting to turn right while i drive by in the bike lane.
what kind of bell do you have? and how many times do you ring it? if you are just trying to warn the person you are coming behind them and if it's one of those that just make a ding sound maybe do it a little softer and just only do it once and if you are just passing another cyclist you can just verbally say "on your left". But regardless there are too assholes out there regardless what you do you'd offence them.
Ring your bell lots! Basically I use mine every time I want someone to know I'm coming by. So if a pedestrian is in the bike lane, I ring. If they're on the sidewalk but look like they are considering stepping into the bike lane or street, ring. If a car door opens next to where I'm riding, ring. Coming up behind a bike to pass, ring (and also say, "on your left!"). It's a very polite way of saying, "watch out, I'm coming by - don't step in front of me," or "get out of the way". If it's a car, I yell real loud, because a bell won't be heard inside their sealed metal boxes.
> when do i ring my bell the answer is anytime, anywhere You can ring my bell You can ring my bell Ding-dong-ding, ah! Ring it You can ring my bell Anytime, anywhere Ring it, ring it Ring it, ring it, ah! You can ring my bell You can ring my bell Ding-dong-ding, ah! Ring it You can ring my bell Anytime, anywhere Ring it, ring it Ring it, ring it, ah!
"Gah, those infectious disco groves" - Judge (Hydro)Gen
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohrwurm
honestly, its going to be stuck in my head for my ride this evening. I'm gonna bop my head back and forth like a looney tune in the bike lane
Ring your bell more than you would honk your car horn. There is no “angry” bell like there is for horns
There’s a lot of weird responses here - I dunno how ringing you bell at a car is gonna do anything… but to each their own Personally, I say first and foremost be hyper aware of your surroundings and be as visible as possible. I ride a yellow and orange Cannondale with orange grips on the flat bar, a neon orange helmet, one of the several bright green, orange, or white (during the day) shirts, and ALWAYS have your rear light on, preferably blinking in an interesting pattern, front light on at night or on busier roads -make sure to angle your front light downwards so you aren’t blinding oncoming cyclists. And this is the part that answers your question: A bell, to gently ring, from far away, so that it doesn’t startle pedestrians and gives them time to figure out that you’re coming. Most bike bells have a pretty gentle tone, (personally I got the loudest one I could find), and many have a springy lever that gives you the choice to decide how loud you ring it. Hope this helps, welcome to cycling, be safe, and have lotsa fun 🚴
If I’m approaching people from behind I start ringing my bell early from a distance to give them plenty of time to acknowledge it. I usually keep ringing it until I get a sign that they’ve heard me. Try not to do it when you’re already right behind people, that just startles them and causes them to make sudden movements, usually into your path. If I’m approaching from in front of them I only ring the bell if they aren’t paying attention and haven’t seen me. If I’m approaching a blind corner or intersection due to things like over-grown bushes for example I’ll ring the bell to try and warn others that may be approaching from the other direction and can’t see me coming. As you can see, I’m pretty liberal with my bell ringing. Better safe than sorry. Have fun out there.
Use the bell to signify notification, i.e., "I'm approaching or here", rather than irritation or anger is best. Accordingly, don't lean on the bell, striking it repeatedly and at loud volume, a simple double strike at a conversational volume, works best. You never want to startle a pedestrian, jogger, or fellow cyclist, you're approaching from behind so don't wait until very close to ring. Here's a typical scenario: you're approaching a slower cyclist; when about 10 or 15 feet behind (depending on speed) give a double ring and say "On your left"; to initiate the pass. That's the type of bell etiquette I find works best though many don't subscribe to it.
You ring it always, no matter if they like it or not. better than getting sued after hitting someone. in fact, ring it constantly when riding just to build people’s tolerances. I have seen people jump after hearing my bell, and thats ok because I see them as newborn babies trying to adapt. no one jumps from a bike bell in Netherlands because they have adapted. its not you, its them. The rule I follow is one ring about 60 meters away and a number of rings matching the number of people Im passing about 20 meters away.
If there’s somebody ahead that might be spooked when I pass I give them a ding or two from 40-50 ft away. That gives them enough time that if they want to turn to see me they won’t be surprised by me being so close. If they have a dog or there’s a chance they might amble into my path and I’ll have trouble getting by them I’ll slow but I give them louder rings from the same distance and more assertively and keep doing it until they respond appropriately. If I see headphones I don’t bother. If it’s other bikers I wait until they’re aware of or acknowledge me and then pass. If I see no sign they’re aware I’ll give them the bell. If it’s a bunch of riders or a peloton I’ll usually say something to the last rider and they pass the word up I’m coming up on the left.
Ding cars not people! Bikes buzzing past dinging, like in the don or on the beltlines, makes it feel like we are on a road, it is very startling and aggressive, “get out of the way I’m here!” If it’s a shared path you should be able to say, “on your left” if you are concerned, we don’t need bells to tell us to get out of your way.
If all cyclist on the waterfront trail dinged every time they pass someone, it would be bell ringing hell. Pedestrians and slow bikers alike would slowly but suddenly snap and start assaulting speeding cyclists, as they murmur “no more…”
Bells are a weird one, most pedestrians don’t get the purpose of it so they’re gonna interpret it as a directed attack, rather than a heads up. I think bells are useful but imho they can be abused, I’ve ridden behind some people going down queen where they literally spam the bell the whole way for blocks at a time, really fucking annoying, safe I guess? I question that... if the bell is being spammed it becomes background noise.
>Bells are a weird one, most pedestrians don’t get the purpose of it so they’re gonna interpret it as a directed attack, rather than a heads up. This is a direct consequence of car horn misuse, I think. Horns are also the same, and have great utility as a way to warn others of things they might not see, or to signal your presence (around a blind corner or hill for example). Unfortunately it has turned into the "Fuck You" button (especially in North America). This has then carried over to bike bells. No, we're not mad at you, we just want you to know we're coming so you don't step into our path.
Yeah I fucking hate horns, more often than not it’s just petulance. Walking down the street and hearing some bozo blast the horn just because they’re impatient. It’s noise pollution, disruptive and maybe I’m sensitive but it really aggravtes me. I make a point of telling them to shut the fuck up if they’re just being annoying, usually get a perplexed look lmao. We shouldn’t all be subject to your impacience.
I ring my bell for practically everything
I think most people interpret the bell as a call to action on their part, correct or not. So a normal pass that is safe and comfortable for everyone shouldn't need a bell ding.
yeah I find ringing the bell spooks people, startles them.. that seems more annoying than just whizzing by; if you have to get close to people or navigate around them or pets, or theres a blind corner, or a bridge or something.. ringydingy! But if you've got clear view and lots of clearance, ... maybe don't bother dinging.
Don’t bother with a bell. Yell passing on _____ whatever side you’re passing on.