Originally Posted by
Juggler2
I've never had what I would describe as a "negative" reaction to my bell ringing. But I have had a few "non-reaction" results. But who knows, maybe some of those folks were hearing impaired. I think most of the "non-reaction" folks hear the ringing and are aware I'm coming up on them, but just don't (for whatever reason) acknowledge the fact. There are no real "rules" to follow, insofar as bell ringing goes, that I'm aware of. Oh well, since I'm the one on the bike, I believe there is more of the responsibility on me to make a safe pass, the reason for the bell in the first place. Of course this is a shared responsibility (as I see it), but since I'm on the machine, and moving faster than the peds, I'll assume the lions share. YMMV.
I agree 100%; the pedestrian has the right of way as far as I am concern.
Bike riding has been an on again and off again hobby for me for the past 45 years. I rode all those years without a bell and I felt as though I didn’t need one. I only put bells on my bikes a couple of months ago because I discovered that my state of South Carolina requires a bell (or sounding device on all bicycles). If they were to rescind the law, I would keep my bell on the bike because I have gotten to where I like the thing.
I have actually only used the bell to warn a pedestrian once. That was last week. I was coming up behind this lady and I rung the bell once. I know she heard me because she moved to the right but she did not look back. When I got closer I said, “Coming by”. She turned around and I thought to myself, “God almighty, it ought to be against the law to be that beautiful”. I am telling you that was one fine looking woman. That was the only time I have used my bell for what it was made for. I have rung it a lot just because I like to hear it.
By the way, I am going to kill that little bug you have running around on the screen, just as soon as I figure out how.
