faceD

has anyone been stopped by the police for riding a bike without having a bell? btw this is in toronto

Retro Grouch 

Nope but then I've never been to Toronto. I understand that having a bell is a requirement in some European countries too.

wrafl

Not that I know of. I was in Belize 2 years ago and the bike I used had headlamp that are required for use when cycling at night. The hotel we stayed in offered free bikes and advised to turn the lights on after dark. The fine was a hefty $100.00. Like Retro Grouch, I've never been to Toronto.

Raiyn

It's required by law in a lot of places, I have one because it's just better than me yelling at people.




EDIT: Better for them

apclassic9

Read your locality's driving rules - there will be a section on bike requirements.

stokessd

Bikes are required to have a bell in Indiana. My wife has one, but I've refused. I can yell a hell of a lot louder than a can ding her little bell. I can pretty much guarantee that a triple latte drinking soccer mom on the phone in the Yukon Denali XL isn't going to hear that little bell.

Sheldon

Machka 

It's the law where I live and apparently cyclists have been stopped and ticketed. But I usually ride in town for only a few minutes on my way out of town, and never on the MUPs. I think the big concern is not having them on the MUPs

faceD

MUPs?

Woodlark

Multi-Use Path

Bells are required by law in South Carolina, but I don't know if it is enforced. Palmetto Cycling Coalition is trying to get the law changed.

Raiyn

Why?

donnamb 

Better for me, too. I have allergies and my voice gets hoarse easily.

Raiyn

The quality of the sound isn't the issue.

nomad.dc

I've considered using an airhorn at times, but I'm afraid I might cause traffic accidents if I go too far.

gpsblake

Yes, it's the law in South Carolina and why in the hell would the Palmetto Cycling Coalition want to change it? I think it should be enforced on the Canal path and West Columbia river path in Columbia, SC. Way too many close calls.

CB HI

Would you like being required to have lights on all your bikes even if you never rode them at night? Maybe some of the folks that never ride on the MUP, do not see a need for a bell to go ding, ding to the motorist that they ride with.

Going ding, ding to motorist does not get cyclist any respect. Makes us feel too much like Rodney Dangerfeild.

Stacey

I like the airzound, it's purpose built

GamecockTaco

my take on their reasoning is because there are so few MUPs in the state and riding on the road those bells are pretty pointless.

I don't think traffic rules would apply to the Canal path anyway since they aren't "roads" and bikes on them aren't, therefore, vehicles. I don't think motor vehicle laws apply to those paths.

ghettocruiser

Been covered in some detail here:

https://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=312153

2manybikes

I took your suggestion a long time ago about putting one on the MTB for off road use. I use it during hunting season to help announce I'm a bike and not a deer. And good for blind corners too. I also think the high pitch of a bell carries a long way better than yelling. People expect a bike almost instantly when they hear a bell, when you yell it takes a second for some people to understand a bike is coming. Lots of practical reasons to have one.

maddyfish

I've thought about an airhorn as well, seems like it would fit into a bottle cage pretty well.

spinnaker

In Italy both helmets and bells are required. I saw plenty of cyclists with neither.

soderbiker

its like this here in Sweden ..
I cant find the fine for cycling without a bell .but here are some others

$73.92 if a cyclist doesnt wear a helmet under 15 years of age

$73.92 cycling in the dark without proper lightning

$147.83 if you run a stop sign

$73.92 if you dont hand signal when making a turn

$221.75 if you run a red light

$147.83 if you dont let pedestrians cross the cross walk .

mentat6059

um, if it is the law to have a bell on your bike how do they enforce using it ? Our bike regs state

"Bell
A bicycle must have a bell or other effective warning device fixed in a convenient position."

warning device - me yelling
fixed in a convenient position - my arse on the saddle

gpsblake

I'm pretty sure it says that on the rules of the Cayce side of the path along the river that bells are the law.

But I've never seen them enforce it though.....

The Canal side isn't such a problem because it's pretty straight. But the Cayce/West Columbia side has so many curves, a bell is really critical in my opinion.

Cheers

alanbikehouston

I have a bell on a couple of my beach cruisers. And, when I'm on a crowded bike trail and I'm coming up behind some elderly couple with their poodle, gently ringing a bell seems a bit more polite than the more traditional yell of "get your fat rears out of my way..."