Hmm.

https://www.mtbbell.com/

The two things are not mutually exclusive.

The more effective the means of warning, the more obnoxious it's bound to be. Can't get around that:

By "Segment", sounds like you are referring to something like Strava segments? Really? On MUPs and in the Gen Cycling forum? If there are a lot of folks here hunting those KOMs, I'd be surprised.

People will have no idea what the clicking noise is. A few people (a very few) might know what freewheel noise is. Many freewheels are quiet. It seems more practical to get a bell than picking a noisy freewheel. If they manage to hear these things, they aren't likely to know what's making them.

Most people know that a bicycle bell means a bicycle.

Nothing is going to be perfect.

Growing up on a farm before "hearing protection" while shooting was a thing, then working as an auto mechanic with an impact wrench then in a factory full of hydraulic machinery, the constant slight high-frequency whine in my ears and I both agree with you and said audiologist fully. .

This describes my position very well. Shared use means shared responsibility and shared care as well. For me, at least.

Had to look up an answer myself, and their ad makes it abundantly (and wonderfully, I love it) clear: MORE COWBELL!

Early in the pandemic my MUP had more traffic (walkers, skaters, skateboarders, runners, families, cyclists, Etc.) that the beltway. (Washington DC region)

That definitely can be an issue but it also occurs with a voice warning.

I really like my piercing/shrill Spurcycle bell.

But even your little chamois cargo of a brain was able to figure it out, so it worked as intended, didn’t it? Two parts sarcasm, one part disdain, a sprinkle of functional comparison, and you still correctly deduced that bicyclists are supposed to yield to pedestrians. So, tell, me, Robin: why is the OP working so hard to ring foot traffic out of his way on foot paths if he, the cyclist, is supposed to yield to them?

OTOH, I'd guess that frequent PEDs to a MUP certainly have had bikes coast by them previously and are quite familiar with a what a bicycle sounds like. Anything that sounds mechanical I'd guess is going to be interpreted by someone on a MUP as coming from a vehicle of some sort.

No, I like bells. People are illogical about being passed. I would say 1 in ten are hostile about it. If they wanted not to share the path with bicycles, they should walk somewhere there are no bicycles. Like on a sidewalk.

Does that Timber! bell only work if the surface is rough?

Would I be correct in assuming that would not work too well for me as a paved trail rider?

It’s still often too quiet. Clicking brake levers is rarely done and would be even less effective (few people will have any idea what that means).

Bicycles are really quiet until you are close anyway (riders should know that). Lots of freewheeled are quiet.

If they manage to hear it, they might “interpret it as from a vehicle of some sort”.

With a bell, they will know it’s a bicycle.

I use bells on all my bikes except my road (race) bike, TT bike and track bike. Lets people know I'm there. My daily driver (Giant TCR) has a ring bell and I prefer to use that over my voice to let my presence be known. On the MTB I ride "passive" style bells which ring constantly, louder if the terrain is rough. Hikers appreciate it and I get thank-you's and compliments all the time.

Be safe out there folks and remember to smile/wave!!! Also, slow down if the path is narrow and you're not 100% sure that they've acknowledged your presence, trail or MUP.

True. However, as somewhat demonstrated in post #40, for whatever reason, Peds treat a bike bell as a "request", and whether it's out of spite or simple disregard or cool factor, tend to take their time moving out of the middles of paths (often when walking 2-4 abreast). A loud freewheel (which I now happen to have, but didn't seek), yields a quite bit quicker move of a pedestrian over to the side -- my guess is the mind's instantaneous interpretation of that sound is along the lines that "a bike is coming and I don't know how fast or if they'll wait for me to move over."

Bells are cool, but this is more my style. Good riding!

That's what you meant by that?!?! Well, that's a stupid question and your analogy didn't convey that at all. Passing on the left after announcing or ringing a bell is literally the prescribed procedure by most path rules and law in the US. And your sprinkle of functional comparison succeeded only in dribbling down your own pants leg.

You can still use both.

The loud freewheels are likely heard when you are close. They aren’t as loud to other people as cyclists think.

It surprises them (it’s too late and they don’t know what is making the noise). That’s why you get the startled, panic movement.

This person should not be on that path... it's too crowded.

Oh, so you didn't get it, after all. My apologies. I overestimated your computing power. I guess I rang your bell and no one was home. Sorry- I’ll try back later. Have a day. (Whatever kind you’re capable of.)

Agreed. Or they could ride properly. Imagine if they were in a car, in congested traffic, weaving in and out to get every possible tiny advantage. We'd probably all have a similar reaction.

Riding in congested traffic -- pedestrian or vehicle -- is a skill.

There's a path in my town that goes past a Big Ten football stadium. On game days, it's pretty much impassible for cyclists, and I don't avoid it altogether, but I'm aware that I'll probably not be going any faster than foot traffic. And one of my skills that works quite well is to get off the bike and walk if it's that crowded.

All of my bikes have bells. I usually know that somebody has noticed me before I have to ring, so ringing is optional. And here in Wisconsin, all we need is just to politely announce: "Ope, sorry der, just sneaking up behind you on your left der, ope, thanks, sorry."

Let’s hope he was attempting to reference the Yogi Berra-ism “It’s so crowded no one goes there any more.”

Who would have thunk this would rile so many in so short a time.

Just so I can get my 2¢ in.


When on the MUP, I've almost always given a "passing left" or "on your left" as I approach anyone from behind. If I see a group of people not paying attention, I'll even call out "heads up" just so they are aware of me before I get to them.

Noobs and those that only use the MUP a couple times a year might jump or actually turn and move to their left, but I give the alert in time for me to stop if they do something foolish. Some I perceive get the idea that I'm being cocky or demanding right-of-way. That's their problem if they do. They are noobs and likely won't be on the trail again for a long time.

Most of the regular users of the MUP I pass that are walking appreciate the alert and wave a hand signaling they heard me and even say "thank you" as I pass. When I walk with my wife, I also appreciate the increasing number of cyclist's that alert me as they come up behind.

Once and one time only, I heard a cyclist with a bell while I was walking. It was the common t'ling, tl'ing that I associate with bicycle bells. It didn't startle and it was apparent what it was. Never heard that bell in the over seven years hence.

I've heard a few others using another electronically generated sound that isn't readily identifiable as to what it is as they sounded more like a fog horn or other maritime signal. And because they were electronically generated at a weird frequency, it seemed to be harder to ascertain the direction if was from.

I'd be all for the little brass bell sound. As I said, it didn't startle. I can see it as being overused, but as opposed to the under used alerts that are ask for in the guidelines of most of the MUP's I've seen, It'd be preferred.

I don't see why this needed to get so ugly, but since it has, I'm closing it.