Re: Bell/Horn safer or hazard?

[Cheto]

"Bob" > wrote in message
...

> Is there a consensus among experienced riders about the value of bells or
horns
> when riding under these conditions?

I don't know about a consensus, but I can't imagine what a bell or horn
could accomplish that your vocal cords couldn't.

Cheto

[fe]

Bell is safer that someone shouting "WATCH YOUR LEFT" (STUPID)
Experience riders will never put a stinking bell on the bike, it is too
girly-man (not-matcho)
But Great for kids!



"Bob" > wrote in message
...
> My kids ride in residential streets or in bike lanes in an area where
> pedestrians walk on the sidewalks and bikes stay on the asphalt.
>
> The Rules for Bike Safety listed in my son's Cub Scout handbook say that
he must
> have a bell or a horn on his bike. Local law does not require them.
>
> I was taught that such things are more of a hazard than a help, at least
to a
> relatively inexperienced child, because he is likely to waste time
reaching for
> the bell when he should be hitting the brakes.
>
> Keep in mind that this is a kid on a 1-speed bike with hand brakes who
rarely
> gets above 10mph. Neither weight nor dorkiness are issues.
>
> I'm considering telling him that having the card in his spokes to make
that cool
> motorcycle sound takes the place of a bell or horn.
>
> Is there a consensus among experienced riders about the value of bells or
horns
> when riding under these conditions?
>
> Thanks
>

[Robert Haston]

I don't have to fumble for my vocal cords, they are way louder, and come
with any message you can imagine (and a few you can't). In fact, I find
that when I am coming up to a tricky situation in an intersection, I
spontaneously fill my lungs like a drill sergeant ready to let fly.

By the way, don't buy your kids cheap bikes. A used quality bike (which
will last indefinitely with good maintenance) will be twice as good as a new
cheap one.

"Bob" > wrote in message
...
> My kids ride in residential streets or in bike lanes in an area where
> pedestrians walk on the sidewalks and bikes stay on the asphalt.
>
> The Rules for Bike Safety listed in my son's Cub Scout handbook say that
> he must
> have a bell or a horn on his bike. Local law does not require them.
>
> I was taught that such things are more of a hazard than a help, at least
> to a
> relatively inexperienced child, because he is likely to waste time
> reaching for
> the bell when he should be hitting the brakes.
>
> Keep in mind that this is a kid on a 1-speed bike with hand brakes who
> rarely
> gets above 10mph. Neither weight nor dorkiness are issues.
>
> I'm considering telling him that having the card in his spokes to make
> that cool
> motorcycle sound takes the place of a bell or horn.
>
> Is there a consensus among experienced riders about the value of bells or
> horns
> when riding under these conditions?
>
> Thanks
>

[Alex Rodriguez]

In article >, says...
>My kids ride in residential streets or in bike lanes in an area where
>pedestrians walk on the sidewalks and bikes stay on the asphalt.
>The Rules for Bike Safety listed in my son's Cub Scout handbook say that he
must
>have a bell or a horn on his bike. Local law does not require them.
>I was taught that such things are more of a hazard than a help, at least to a
>relatively inexperienced child, because he is likely to waste time reaching
for
>the bell when he should be hitting the brakes.
>Keep in mind that this is a kid on a 1-speed bike with hand brakes who rarely
>gets above 10mph. Neither weight nor dorkiness are issues.
>I'm considering telling him that having the card in his spokes to make that
>cool
>motorcycle sound takes the place of a bell or horn.
>
>Is there a consensus among experienced riders about the value of bells or
horns
>when riding under these conditions?

Get a bell that can be rung while your hands on are the brakes. That's what
I have on my commuter. I can brake and activate the bell with my thumb.
------------
Alex

[Alan Acock]

>>On Sun, 31 Oct 2004 15:05:19 -0600, "fe" > claims:
>>
>>>Bell is safer that someone shouting "WATCH YOUR LEFT" (STUPID)

I have an "incredibell" (sp?) on my handlebar that goes ding ding.
Pedestrians seem to like the ding ding and usually move to the right side.
Horns would be rude but a nice ding ding is a non-hostile announcement. I
then say 'on your left' and 'good day.'

On the road when somebody drives by me with their horn blasting, I go ding
ding as well, but (a) don't say 'good day' and (b) assume they don't hear
me. I don't know why this keeps me calm, but it does.

Alan Acock

[Shane]

"Alan Acock" > wrote in message
6...
> >>On Sun, 31 Oct 2004 15:05:19 -0600, "fe" > claims:
> >>
> >>>Bell is safer that someone shouting "WATCH YOUR LEFT" (STUPID)
>
> I have an "incredibell" (sp?) on my handlebar that goes ding ding.
> Pedestrians seem to like the ding ding and usually move to the right side.
> Horns would be rude but a nice ding ding is a non-hostile announcement. I
> then say 'on your left' and 'good day.'
>
> On the road when somebody drives by me with their horn blasting, I go ding
> ding as well, but (a) don't say 'good day' and (b) assume they don't hear
> me. I don't know why this keeps me calm, but it does.
>
> Alan Acock

As a pedestrian, bell sounds polite, just "ON YOUR LEFT" sounds like a ruddy
pushy asshole need a break from his stinking bicycle.

[GaryG]

"Shane" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Alan Acock" > wrote in message
> 6...
> > >>On Sun, 31 Oct 2004 15:05:19 -0600, "fe" > claims:
> > >>
> > >>>Bell is safer that someone shouting "WATCH YOUR LEFT" (STUPID)
> >
> > I have an "incredibell" (sp?) on my handlebar that goes ding ding.
> > Pedestrians seem to like the ding ding and usually move to the right
side.
> > Horns would be rude but a nice ding ding is a non-hostile announcement.
I
> > then say 'on your left' and 'good day.'
> >
> > On the road when somebody drives by me with their horn blasting, I go
ding
> > ding as well, but (a) don't say 'good day' and (b) assume they don't
hear
> > me. I don't know why this keeps me calm, but it does.
> >
> > Alan Acock
>
> As a pedestrian, bell sounds polite, just "ON YOUR LEFT" sounds like a
ruddy
> pushy asshole need a break from his stinking bicycle.
>

The high frequency pitch of a bell is also easier for pedestrians to
identify as a bicycle, and easier for them to locate the direction from
which the sound emanates (high frequency sounds are easier to locate in
space than low frequency sounds). This is especially true for elderly
pedestrians. The bell is also much less likely to startle a pedestrian than
shouting "ON YOUR LEFT!".

GG

[Robert Haston]

I always slow down, and if they don't hear my sprocket clicking, I usually
say excuse me and they get over.


"GaryG" > wrote in message
...
> "Shane" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "Alan Acock" > wrote in message
>> 6...
>> > >>On Sun, 31 Oct 2004 15:05:19 -0600, "fe" > claims:
>> > >>
>> > >>>Bell is safer that someone shouting "WATCH YOUR LEFT" (STUPID)
>> >
>> > I have an "incredibell" (sp?) on my handlebar that goes ding ding.
>> > Pedestrians seem to like the ding ding and usually move to the right
> side.
>> > Horns would be rude but a nice ding ding is a non-hostile announcement.
> I
>> > then say 'on your left' and 'good day.'
>> >
>> > On the road when somebody drives by me with their horn blasting, I go
> ding
>> > ding as well, but (a) don't say 'good day' and (b) assume they don't
> hear
>> > me. I don't know why this keeps me calm, but it does.
>> >
>> > Alan Acock
>>
>> As a pedestrian, bell sounds polite, just "ON YOUR LEFT" sounds like a
> ruddy
>> pushy asshole need a break from his stinking bicycle.
>>
>
> The high frequency pitch of a bell is also easier for pedestrians to
> identify as a bicycle, and easier for them to locate the direction from
> which the sound emanates (high frequency sounds are easier to locate in
> space than low frequency sounds). This is especially true for elderly
> pedestrians. The bell is also much less likely to startle a pedestrian
> than
> shouting "ON YOUR LEFT!".
>
> GG
>
>