Bike Forums - I'm getting a bell!!!!

Bike Forums (https://www.bikeforums.net/forum.php)

- Fifty Plus (50+) (https://www.bikeforums.net/fifty-plus-50/)

- - I'm getting a bell!!!! (https://www.bikeforums.net/fifty-plus-50/766011-im-getting-bell.html)

I yell HOLD YOUR LINE!

And I mutter at them and shake my head disapprovingly as I pass if they have not held their line.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stapfam (Post 13196382)

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"

I think the proper response to that is "You folks should not be blocking the entire path" or "beggar off" depending on your irritation factor at the time....

"hold your line", "clear the path" or "beggar off" is too scary for this area. I'm not interested in spreading that kind of feeling. "passing" or "on your left" is adequate and that's what the local bicycyle cops use.

People jump out of their skin as it is, at least they can choose to walk with dignity and not fear when they hear a bell. So I've belled two of my frequently used bikes.

You have to slow down here to pass anyway because all local hike and bike paths have rules that require bikers and skaters to yield to everything else.

Most don't issue a warning at all, however. Silence seems to be the rule.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stonefree (Post 13205173)

Sometimes when someone does something rude, is called on it, and then issues more rudeness then beggar off or even %$#@& off becomes what you really want to say..... I still say, a light ring on the bell, sort of a ringgg and not a RINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and the follow that up with "PASSING ON YOUR LEFT..." is the most appropriate response.... Now of course PASSING ON YOUR LEFT would be replaced with PASSER VOTRE GAUCHE in Quebec and DANDO SU IAQUIERDA in Mexico and parts of the US. In parts of Toronto or New York you might even find שעבר שלכם עזבו , ونقل عن ترك لكم, прохождение слева от Вас or 傳遞你的左邊 as the best way to get a response. Although typically those who speak Hebrew, Arabic, Russian or Chinese, usually know what the bell means, so you don't need to say anything.....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wogster (Post 13206042)

In parts of [ ... ] New York you might even find שעבר שלכם עזבו , ونقل عن ترك لكم, прохождение слева от Вас or 傳遞你的左邊 as the best way to get a response. Although typically those who speak Hebrew, Arabic, Russian or Chinese, usually know what the bell means, so you don't need to say anything.....

Stick with the bell near UN Plaza.

As far as I'm concerned, the only good thing about cyclists who think they own the multiple use path is that while they are riding they are not driving.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seamless (Post 13208141)

Stick with the bell near UN Plaza.

Your probably right, there are so many speakers of so many languages at the UN, it would take you a good 20 minutes to run through all the options. :rolleyes:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wogster (Post 13210285)

Your probably right, there are so many speakers of so many languages at the UN, it would take you a good 20 minutes to run through all the options. :rolleyes:

Same situation where I live, a mile or so from the U.N...... or anywhere in the New York city area, for that matter. I have a pleasant sounding bell for low speed non-emergency situations & a louder horn for emergencies. I thank the party(ies) for their courtesy as I pass..... haven't encountered a rude response yet (not that I've noticed, anyway), not that it would deter me from practicing what I consider to be safe cycling if I did.