mr_bill

Bikeyface nails this one.

On the road, bells are next to useless. On multi-use paths, I think they are considerate. I know when I'm walking I like hearing the bell, but I'm fine with someone going stealth if they've given me three feet. I do *NOT* like it when folks silently close pass.

I don't often use my car horn either, so on the bike it used to be eep now it's usually one of deliberate silence (I'm in a bad place right now and I'm going for one of my outs) or the still useless (but oddly satisfying) HEY HEY HEY HEY HEY HEY or WOAH WOAH WOAH WOAH WOAH WOAH (which worked exactly once, when a child heard me through their open window and yelled at their parent about the STOP part of right turn on red after STOP). Still shouting is the dramatic exception, not the rule. As in less than a handful of times last year. If you find that you are SHOUTING often I urge you to consider why.

When a bike bell rings... ...nothing happens at all.
Finding my voice.

Oh, check out your local laws about whistles - in Massachusetts (and most places) that's a big no-no.

-mr. bill

keyven

I got this because I really liked how my friend's one sounded. No regrets.

- cheap (about US$8)
- light and compact
- comes in multiple colors, though I think black is still the best
- very effective so far, works more often than not. I guess it's the double ring which makes it more obvious. Can also be spammed for extra annoya-umm warning
- pleasant sounding, in my subjective opinion, like a sharp, loud windchime

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EDGR1davAc
(Cateye Wind Bell - first part)

powerhouse

I've used several means to announce myself when approaching them on a bicycle.

First of all, the use of my voice has its place. While having enough distance between myself and someone I'm going to pass, I'd say something like "Hello!" or "On your left," on a polite voice level. Sometimes, using a strong voice command like "Go Home!" to peoples' dogs might work. But it is useless to yell out at people driving vehicles that are larger, heavier, and faster than yours. The people in these vehicles either can't hear you or see you in time.

Bells or whistles work well in certain ways. They are quite effective in communities where the population is higher and works well where foot and bicycle traffic is strong. Bells are effective because people on bicycles can announce that they are approaching and would be heard by other bicyclists and people on foot. But they have limited effect upon motorists.

Whistles are somewhat better. For example, they work well when approaching other people on foot or on other bicycles. Tooting your whistle in relatively short, low blasts will get their attention. Whistles are also useful in discouraging the dog that suddenly decides to follow or chase you. While it may be illegal in some states to use a whistle, I'm just letting you know how using one works out without the intention of breaking any laws.

Lastly, there are horns. These will alert almost everyone. Whether they are on foot or riding other bicycles, the people who are ahead of you will know you are approaching unless they have earphones on with loud music playing. Dogs who at first want to chase or attack you will change their minds and decide to be anywhere else. Drivers of motor vehicles will hear you and are more likely to see you than they were before. But it is important to use horns respectfully. Overuse of it can lead to a cager considering this as a battlecry.

That's my imput on the subject. I welcome yours.

Chris516

Agreed, Bells are useless on the road. How in the world do they expect motorists' to hear a bell on a bike above the sound of their engine.

echale3

You could put on something like this:

Amazon.com : Aluminum CNC Bike Computer Extender Mount Lamp Bracket Holder : Sports & Outdoors

I use one on my bike, and it works great--it'd give you the flexibility to put on pretty much whatever bell you wanted.

As far as bells go, though, I find that there's lots of people walking/jogging/skateboarding along the greenway here that have earbuds in and their iPod blasting, so my normal loud "On your left!" isn't even heard, nor would a bell be. You need something louder to overcome that sort of issue...

GiantOctopodes

Any thoughts on horns or other devices louder than a bell? Bells are nice for warning pedestrians, but in the noise cancelling environments cars are nowadays, there's no way they'll be heard. Any horns or other noisemakers that are nice and loud without being eardrum bursting obnoxious? I'm thinking something like an Airzound, but maybe a more reasonable (and not hearing loss causing) 90db vs 115. Any such devices that work in the winter?

wphamilton

I did this to clean up my bars. The bell is zip-tied to the stem.

A computer is mounted out-front on the stem with this, which I had 3-D printed on Shapeways.com. This one is not stiff enough for a bell unfortunately, but there are probably a couple of others on the site that may work.

Chris516

RoadTire 

I will respectfully disagree with this as a blanket-statement. Might have a lot to do with the differences of where we ride. I use a bell on our local MUP / high-speed bike path. (Yep, walkers, salmoning joggers, old ladies with small pets and young couples with horse-sized dogs.) A ding or two ahead of time usually gets lot's of attention; parent's guide their cycling children to the side, others rein in their dogs, and I've had a jogger pull their friend to the side. Also get more than a few, "I like your bell" compliments.

Dinging a bell right behind people would probably cause havoc...

mr_bill

Ding ding ding ding ding!

-mr. bill

The Quiet One

How about a harmonica. Buy one of those things like folk guitarists use to hold them up to their mouths.

Rollfast

I can make a convincing honk loudly with my voice, it's a skill.