Fifty Plus (50+) - I'm getting a bell!!!!

Since I started riding on the local MUP I've tried to follow etiquette and call out my intentions when passing walkers/joggers. But this seems to be scaring them more than if I just buzzed by them. I've had a couple actually jump completely off the track and one lady yelled "Get a bell". Now she had a pleasant tone, so I didn't take offense. There is not a large bicycling community in my small rural area and I haven't seen another cyclist on the track so I don't think it's something they are used to. So I'm gonna try a bell and see how that goes. Maybe even a squeeze horn lol.

Oh, and discovered the thrill of headwinds today. The MUP runs along side a waterway and the end I started on runs by the lake that is formed by the Lock. Going north I must have been headed into what felt like a 10-15 mph headwind. It was brutal. I had to get in a gear I normally would use for a small hill. On the other side I was able to really keep up a good cadence on the return loop. Sure was glad I had the local LBS put on some road tires the other day.

I have a bell on both my MUPable bikes and totally recommend them. Bells are easily understood no matter what your native language and are (generally) not considered offensive but rather more in the "gentle reminder" category.

The only downside, really, is if you get to where you expect everyone to hear the bell and don't notice the i-pod users who for sure won't hear it! A friend of mine (Alice Strong) recommends using two bells (maybe the two different tones get more attention?) rather than just one.

Rick / OCRR

I just ring with increasing frequency until I get a response out of a pedestrian. Even with ear buds they eventually hear the bell.

Call me a retro curmudgeon, but I have be honest and say that I hate bells and using one would make me feel like a total dork. Sorry. I know they have a long and honorable history but in today's frantic, wound-up world, they give me that irritating "excuse me, excuse me, but I have to get through" feeling. Like someone pushing past you to get to the baggage carousel, or shoving their kid in front of you at a museum exhibit.

I like to ride in silence.

The problem is that bike trails have become victims of their own success. Some popular routes here in Minneapolis are now so crowded and so full of flaky, oblivious people that I avoid them and take the streets.

Luckily I didn't have to call out but one time today, there were only two people walking today, braving the cool snap after the storm came through and the nasty wind coming off the water.

A bell is a good idea if you're riding where people are walking, or on paths where it may be difficult to pass slower cyclists. For some reason - I've never figured out why - pedestrians seem to be less alarmed by a bell than by someone calling out. Maybe they interpret a shout as being more aggressive, or something. Anyway, go with what works, is my view, so I have a bell on my touring bike, which is the one I'm likeliest to use in those circumstances.

For every person that will react to a bell with the correct procedure- there will be one that doesn't hear it- ignores it or doesn't know what it means.

When I saw the word "bell" why is it the first thought in my mind was MUP ;)

Have found that bells that jingle or have a high pleasant tone are better then those with a loud short tone... jingly bells seem to invoke happy thoughts of childhood and days past.

Crane brass bells are beautiful.

Found that I much prefer having a bell than not... part of my daily route tales me through multi use areas where a bell really helps notify people that I am pootling along and really helps with those who have dogs.

Bell for normal people, Airzounds for the oblivious.

Aaron :)

I find that just as many people startle at my bell as when I yell. Headphones\earbuds are a whole 'nother level. Always say thank you, it works wonders.

Bell for normal people, Airzounds for the oblivious.


+1. Quarter of the people on a given MUP respond correctly to the bell, the second quarter stop, wander all over the path, and stare up in the trees looking for that funny tinkling sound, and the last half don't (won't?) hear a bell, or a call, because their headphones are turned up.

(Why do they even go outside? If you're taking your treadmill experience with you, stay in the gym!)

When I'm in the role of pedestrian on our MUP, I prefer cyclists give me a verbal warning. A bell just tells me someone is coming, but not which side they intend to pass on. I hear a bell and all I can do is hope the rider knows the rules of the trail. "On your left" at least lets me know where to expect them, or if they shout "on your right," it tells me they're nuts and I need to seek cover immediately.

I'd also be interested in knowing what the "correct" response to a bell or other warning is. This is going to sound curmudgeonly in the extreme, but I've had cyclists angrily repeat their shout of "on your left" to me, too, because I don't move out of their way when they shout it. If they shout it more than once, I'll gesture to let them know I've heard them, but I figure they've told me where they're going to pass, and we all should understand the rules of the road. If I'm already on my side of the center line, it's not my responsibility to yield to them. As a pedestrian, I have the right of way - they go around me. And if there's oncoming traffic, the overtaking cyclist is supposed to slow and wait to pass, not try to do a high-speed squeeze between me and the oncoming person. I'd say about 20% do that, the other 80% will buzz by within a couple of inches.

http://shop.newbelgium.com/store/graphics/00000001/08bell_2.jpg

I have one for all 4 bikes. couldn't cycle here on the trails without it.

When I'm in the role of pedestrian on our MUP, I prefer cyclists give me a verbal warning. A bell just tells me someone is coming, but not which side they intend to pass on. I hear a bell and all I can do is hope the rider knows the rules of the trail. "On your left" at least lets me know where to expect them, or if they shout "on your right," it tells me they're nuts and I need to seek cover immediately.

I'd also be interested in knowing what the "correct" response to a bell or other warning is. This is going to sound curmudgeonly in the extreme, but I've had cyclists angrily repeat their shout of "on your left" to me, too, because I don't move out of their way when they shout it. If they shout it more than once, I'll gesture to let them know I've heard them, but I figure they've told me where they're going to pass, and we all should understand the rules of the road. If I'm already on my side of the center line, it's not my responsibility to yield to them. As a pedestrian, I have the right of way - they go around me. And if there's oncoming traffic, the overtaking cyclist is supposed to slow and wait to pass, not try to do a high-speed squeeze between me and the oncoming person. I'd say about 20% do that, the other 80% will buzz by within a couple of inches.

The problem with "on your left", is that it requires that someone be listening for a voice to be speaking to them, and often all they get is "eft" or maybe left, but does that mean they are passing on the left or do they want you to go left. A bell tells you where someone is, so you can turn, see where they are, and then make sure your going to be in a different physical space. Often that simply means staying where you are, so the person who is notifying you, can remain in a different physical place.

I got tired of "saying on your left" to people who apparently thought I was saying "swerve to your left right now!"

My bell, cleverly concealed:

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o305/spike110820/bell.jpg

Bell for normal people, Airzounds for the oblivious.



I may have to try this; this past Sunday the family & I are cruising the MUP by one of my kids' campus and come upon a young woman/girl happily riding along right in the middle of the path. From a fair ways off I say "on your left" No reaction. I repeat it again as I get closer (and louder, too). Nuthin' Finally I'm right next to her (I kid you not) and I'm yelling at the top of my lungs "HELLLOOOOO!!!!!" right at the side of her head. Nuthin... :rolleyes:

It's the few times that I encounter folks like this that I refuse to ride on MUPs unless coerced to by TOWMBO. :mad:

At the risk of just re-opening an old topic that is a sore point for some: I absolutely do not 'get' these so-called multi-use trails. In my mind, bicycles and pedestrians should never be, and historically have never been, sharing a path or lane. Originally, bikes were in streets and pedestrians were on sidewalks. Then - and mistakenly, in my opinion - people pushed for off-road cyling paths that in many cases paralleled the roads. Many pedestrians refused to observe the signs, so these paths became clogged with strollers, roller-bladers and runners. Local governments and park boards had no will or resources to enforce rules for use of these trails, so they simply punted the whole issue and began marking them "Multi Use".

I feel that if I need to ring a bell to get through, I'm obviously cycling in the wrong place.

Speaking only for myself here - I never cycle on a "multi-use" trail if there's an alternative.

Call me a retro curmudgeon, but I have be honest and say that I hate bells and using one would make me feel like a total dork. Sorry. I know they have a long and honorable history but in today's frantic, wound-up world, they give me that irritating "excuse me, excuse me, but I have to get through" feeling. Like someone pushing past you to get to the baggage carousel, or shoving their kid in front of you at a museum exhibit.

I like to ride in silence.

The problem is that bike trails have become victims of their own success. Some popular routes here in Minneapolis are now so crowded and so full of flaky, oblivious people that I avoid them and take the streets.

OK - You are a retro curmudgeon -

There

Personally, when I've been walking and heard a bell, it has taken me a few seconds to put it into context and realize "Oh, it's a (quaint old-fashioned) cyclist..." and respond. They are not the norm here, and I don't like them as a pedestrian/dog walker, nor as a cyclist who rides a MUP a few times a week. The only time I've felt a bell had value was where there was a tunnel under a road, which immediately crossed another path. I had my leashed dog, heard a bell in the tunnel, and knew to watch out. That was 'gentler' than someone shouting for general purposes going through the tunnel, messing with the evening vibe.

IMO, the range of a bell is too short. At 18-20mph, you are going to be running someone down before they hear a bell, interpret it, and react. I know that a walker is not likely to make out my first couple of words, but they will get their attention, so I use a series of phrases, in rapid succession, along these lines:

"Bicycling coming up."
"On your left."
"Plenty of room." (assuming there is)
"No need to do anything"
"Thank you very much!"

I know how to "project", and I do everything I can to get them to just keep walking and skooch over a bit if need be.

It cracked me up last Saturday when our ride was re-grouping along the side of the road, and a cyclist came past, on a road bike, ringing a bell. We were all stopped, had obviously seen her, and yet she felt the need to ring her bell as she went by. Huh? I also noticed that, when we got back going and went by her, saying good morning, she didn't reply. Damned roadies. :-)

I have an "incredibell" (what spike has in his photo, above) and it works very well. I've never liked saying "on your left". It simply confuses many. They turn slightly, then their eyes widen and they do a little dance. The bell works much better. I give plenty of advance warning.

Alternative: I have also found that whistling the theme from old TV shows also works, provided the parties in front of you aren't using music player earphones. I can do "The Addams Family", and of course, "Andy Griffith".

Personally, when I've been walking and heard a bell, it has taken me a few seconds to put it into context and realize "Oh, it's a (quaint old-fashioned) cyclist..." and respond. They are not the norm here, and I don't like them as a pedestrian/dog walker, nor as a cyclist who rides a MUP a few times a week. The only time I've felt a bell had value was where there was a tunnel under a road, which immediately crossed another path. I had my leashed dog, heard a bell in the tunnel, and knew to watch out. That was 'gentler' than someone shouting for general purposes going through the tunnel, messing with the evening vibe.

IMO, the range of a bell is too short. At 18-20mph, you are going to be running someone down before they hear a bell, interpret it, and react. I know that a walker is not likely to make out my first couple of words, but they will get their attention, so I use a series of phrases, in rapid succession, along these lines:

"Bicycling coming up."
"On your left."
"Plenty of room." (assuming there is)
"No need to do anything"
"Thank you very much!"

I know how to "project", and I do everything I can to get them to just keep walking and skooch over a bit if need be.

It cracked me up last Saturday when our ride was re-grouping along the side of the road, and a cyclist came past, on a road bike, ringing a bell. We were all stopped, had obviously seen her, and yet she felt the need to ring her bell as she went by. Huh? I also noticed that, when we got back going and went by her, saying good morning, she didn't reply. Damned roadies. :-)

IMHO 18-20mph is entirely to fast to be riding on an MUP. I use a bell on the MUP; I ring it well in advance of overtaking, people will glance over their shoulder and either move slightly to their right or determine that I have sufficient clearance to overtake them safely. I keep my speeds around pedestrians in the 10mph range and don't hesitate to slow down more if the conditions warrant.

We don't have any MUP's where I live so my experience with them is limited to the few times I ride them in other parts of the country. The most I ever rode them was in the Iowa City area. I only rode them for limited distances to get around high auto traffic areas, ie; 8 lane intersections with high speed merges off the Interstate.

Aaron :)

I used to say "on your left" but I suppose its like "column Left march", they get confused, so I just yell "passing",hopefully loud enough to hear it over the ear buds,or in case the hearing aid isn't turned up...
Bud

Maybe I'll try some playing cards in the spokes lol

Most of my bikes have bells just because I like them. But I live near one of the largest retirement communities in the country, and a lot of those folks simply can't hear high-pitched sounds. Combined with the folks who have their iPods set on "stun", and the folks who haven't the slightest idea what a bicycle bell signifies, well, my best bet is just to stay as far away from other MUP users as possible.

triggerracing, good for you! I expect you'll enjoy the bell almost as much as the walkers will enjoy hearing it ring.

I always equip my bikes with bells. The brass ones sound great and ellicit many positive comments from pedestrians. Occasionally my bell goes unheard and I need to resort to a firm distint vocal "Passing" to get a walkers attention, but not often.

It's a very rare day indeed when "Thank yous" don't get exchanged while passing after warning of my approach from the rear. To my mind, the bells just make for a more enjoyable experience for all involved.

Here's a little story...This past weekend I was churning up a long gentle incline on an area MUP and found myself appraoching what appeared to be a family of four walking up the path. As I approached from behind I gently activated my brass incredibell and the two parents and one of the children immediately stepped over to the left giving me space to pass. Then I spied the father reach out and pull his other child, a 'tween daughter, over to the side of the path also. As I rode by thanking them, I could hear the father saying to his daughter, "What do you mean you didn't know he was coming? He rang his bell and everything!" as his wife and other daughter thanked me for ringing. Just goes to show that not everyone is programed to respond to unexpected sounds the same way I guess.

Enjoy your bell!!

I use the Incredibell also. My adult daughter makes fun of my bell, and thinks I should just yell out. But some of the MUPs I ride on have quite a few walkers and joggers on them and I get tired of yelling out for an hour or two. Plus it puts me in a bad mood having to yell to be sure I'm heard. I much prefer a pleasant bell sound, and I always thank people for making room for me to go by.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtv2_-2mHck

they work but I do not have one, I usually say"coming up" with plenty of time so whoever can look around and move accordingly. I also slow down when I do this.
There are times though when I will watch and see if they are holding a good line and slow some and just pass.

(Why do they even go outside? If you're taking your treadmill experience with you, stay in the gym!)

One of the great questions of the universe, I don't get it.

In the small town where I presently live there are no mups or muts so I do not have to worry plus even if there was a trail pr path the traffic is so light that there is no problem riding on the streets SO i have the fun of going as fast as I want or in my case as fast as i can...on the streets.
keep on biking

I use my bell if I'm riding on an MUP and I've stupidly come out when there are families with toddlers meandering around on the trail.

I slow to the safest speed required while dinging until all the toddlers on riding toys see me.

Even though I'm not going fast enough to scare anybody at that point, it's nice to have everybody of all ages make eye contact with me as I'm passing, to lessen the chance of them (especially the toddlers) from going right in front of me at the worst possible time.

I use the Incredibell also. My adult daughter makes fun of my bell, and thinks I should just yell out. But some of the MUPs I ride on have quite a few walkers and joggers on them and I get tired of yelling out for an hour or two. Plus it puts me in a bad mood having to yell to be sure I'm heard. I much prefer a pleasant bell sound, and I always thank people for making room for me to go by.

Ok, I think I'm going to order a couple of these, even though I've never used them my whole life, it seems a good idea now because I'm totally addicted to mup's and I too am tired of making walkers and joggers jump out of their skin by quietly yelling "on your left". It sounds too much like the local bike police anyway.

I'm always amazed by the latest academy award winning overacting surprise move by pedestrians, it makes me feel guilty, as intended I suppose.

I use my bell if I'm riding on an MUP and I've stupidly come out when there are families with toddlers meandering around on the trail.

I slow to the safest speed required while dinging until all the toddlers on riding toys see me.

Even though I'm not going fast enough to scare anybody at that point, it's nice to have everybody of all ages make eye contact with me as I'm passing, to lessen the chance of them (especially the toddlers) from going right in front of me at the worst possible time.

SPlKE has it exactly right. No sound making device of any sort can substitute for rider patience and skill when sharing a Multiple Use Path with pedestrians. Using a bell can be a courtesy but does not clear the way.

A bell is a 'nice' way of possibly alerting folks that you are behind them, but I prefer to be really specific! I always say 'BICYCLE passing on your LEFT'. Works pretty well...it alerts them to what is coming and (hopefully) they understand the 'passing on your LEFT' part and move right.

I usually will call out "rider back" and wait for some sort of response and then let them know what I'm intending when they've sorted themselves out. It always brings a thank you.

My MUP overtaking method: 1) Go slow. 2) Ring bell twice from a good, non-startling distance. 3) Call out a greeting like "Good morning" in a cheery, friendly but loud voice, followed by "I'm passing on your left." 4) Say thank you.
I like the bell because it's kind of friendly, compared to a horn or a shout, and it's bike-specific, so the pedestrian knows there's a bicycle coming. The bell and the greeting are really just to make sure you have the walker's (or slower rider's) attention before you tell them where you're passing. A simple "On your left" is interpreted as a request to move left about half the time, it seems.
The MUPs in my suburb are uncrowded, so they work well for riders and walkers.

The reason I left the big cities ;)

I gave up on "on your left, or "passing" and just yell "Behind ya" from way back. If they look sketchy or have kids I just slow way down. Last year 80 yr old women was stuck and killed by a 56 yr old rider on my favorite MUP. A week after that the town Mayor was on the trail and was hit too. Now half the trail has a 10 mph speed limit. If I really want to hammer I ride roads or accept what I am dealt on the MUP.

I gave up on "on your left, or "passing" and just yell "Behind ya" from way back. If they look sketchy or have kids I just slow way down. Last year 80 yr old women was stuck and killed by a 56 yr old rider on my favorite MUP. A week after that the town Mayor was on the trail and was hit too. Now half the trail has a 10 mph speed limit. If I really want to hammer I ride roads or accept what I am dealt on the MUP.

I have seen way too many riders going way to fast on the MUP. Many of them claim the roads are too dangerous :rolleyes: However to put it into perspective: Average walking speed is around 3mph, if you have a cyclist going 15 mph that is a factor of 5, that would be like riding at 15mph on a road where the cars were going 75mph average speed! Yes I know there is more to it than that, but I bet if you talked to some of these MUP speed demons they wouldn't have any interest in riding on a road where the speed was that average, but they have no qualms about riding on the MUP at equivalent speeds.

When on an MUP I stay around 10-12 mph unless it is very empty, then I may ride faster, if it is crowded I ride even slower.

Aaron :)

A bell is a 'nice' way of possibly alerting folks that you are behind them, but I prefer to be really specific! I always say 'BICYCLE passing on your LEFT'. Works pretty well...it alerts them to what is coming and (hopefully) they understand the 'passing on your LEFT' part and move right.

I think a combination would work best on a MUP, ring bell, then call out, "passing on your left". The bell gets their attention, so they actually hear you. "BICYCLE passing on your LEFT" also makes an assumption, and that is that everyone you come upon has a decent understanding of English, this is not a given in a lot of major cities.

Bells are certainly more effective and more pleasant than yelling. But beware the increasing number of multi-taskers walking the dog and strolling the twins while texting and enjoying the sounds of nature on their headphones. It's safer on the street!

Marc

I used to say "on your left" but I suppose its like "column Left march", they get confused, so I just yell "passing",hopefully loud enough to hear it over the ear buds,or in case the hearing aid isn't turned up...
Bud

I do the same, but modify it with "Passing on your left". On occasion when someone is on the wrong side of an MUP (actually in my area they are labeled as bike trails) I call out "Passing on your right." Seems to work as long as I do the "passing" bit first. I think the other thing I see if people waiting until they are too close before calling out. This can easily startle folks. I always try to call out early enough that I have time to stop should this misunderstand and move where I'm headed.

Bells are certainly more effective and more pleasant than yelling. But beware the increasing number of multi-taskers walking the dog and strolling the twins while texting and enjoying the sounds of nature on their headphones. It's safer on the street!
Marc

Right.... where drivers are drinking coffee, changing radio stations, talking on a cell phone, and/or trying to text message as they drive. I ride both paths and streets. I find that either can be made much more dangerous by the irresponsible or uninformed behavior of a few.

I did a ride on the SDW and at about mile 70 as we were going west to East- We met a large organised walking group going East to west. The walkers were spread out over about a mile and we met them on a downhill. The walkers were 4 or 5 abreast across the trail and you had a steady array of Knackered riders meeting them head on. I had the horn working overtime and we could not make all the walkers notice us. In the end we took to the fiels alongside but had to rejoin the track just as the trail narrowed and went uphill. Still bibbing the horn and a group of walkers were having a chat in the gateway. Bibbed the horn- no response- Yelled out "Clear the Path" no response- in the end I did the Tandem trick of me getting off the bike and opening the gate---Into them. Bit of response then and one said "You ought to get a bell"--Her second response was-"No need to use language like that"

In my experience one is much more likely to crash on a MUP than on the street, but much more likely to die on the street than on the MUP.

I'm wondering how many of those who ride without a bell/horn & mirror (somehow i have a feeling many of those same riders also roll mirrorless) travel that way in their cars?

Right.... where drivers are drinking coffee, changing radio stations, talking on a cell phone, and/or trying to text message as they drive.

Seen all of those behaviors by bike riders, whether on MUP, street or sidewalk.
Sometimes simultaneously (last week a no-hands rider emailing or texting; more frequently, phone conversations).



I usually will call out "rider back"

Too many bike riders don't seem to know it's a warning to be heeded, much less what it calls for, so not likely it'd be generally understood by non-bike users.

I have a matching set of Bambi/faline bells, but I can't find the Faline one. The Bambi bell is on my touring bike, I need the other for my commuter

If I say anything, it is "passing" This lets the quick witted know that they shouldn't stray from their current path and makes the dull-witted look over their shoulder and let me know which side to pass on

[QUOTE=Seamless;13198414]Seen all of those behaviors by bike riders, whether on MUP, street or sidewalk.
Sometimes simultaneously (last week a no-hands rider emailing or texting; more frequently, phone conversations

yea,me to,had some DS on the platte path was so busy talking that he was coming right at me and I had to go off the side so he wouldnt hit me head on,,,, what a d head!!!
Bud

Picked up my Bell bell at Wally World and used it yestereday. Liked it a lot better. Folks didn't have the "jumpy" reaction to it and the toddler who was walking with Mom and Dad really got a kick out of it. I would ching ching at him each time I passed, he got a kick out of it.