You are misreading the regulation. The section from the New Jersey vehicle code

is similar to Colorado code

An audible signal can be either a bell or voice in my state. I suspect that the language is part of the US Uniform Vehicle Code but I don't want to go wade through that document. Personally, I find saying "On your left" to be more useful than a bell.

Other nations have other regulations as Machka pointed out.

And if you want a titanium bell for your bike look to King Cages in Colorado. You can use it as a shot glass as well.

Gee....bike stores stocking what sells. Whodda thunkit?

IMO there is room for both options ... or more specifically, a range of options ... from a fully equipped, set up bicycle a person can buy and ride away >>>>>>>>> to all the bits and pieces which make up a bicycle.

There's nothing wrong with either end of the scale or anywhere in between, it just depends what the cyclist wants and what the cyclist feels comfortable with.

A non-mechanically inclined cyclist might want a fully equipped, set up bicycle he/she can just ride away.
A more mechanically inclined cyclist might want to build up his/her bicycle.

And I suspect that each shop, wherever the shop is located, makes some attempt to cater to the desires of potential customers in the area.

I was responding to the individual who contradicted my comment about bells being mandatory.

Now I learn that the human voice could be considered a device. I wouldn't have interpreted the law that way, but for me the issue is really not one I wish to spend my time on.

Again, I initiated this thread after first responding to another thread and then deleting my message as I thought it better to start a new thread. My initial post was simply that the overwhelming majority of bikes here in the Netherlands are sold complete. Racing bikes probably wouldn't have lights for the weight issue; they probably wouldn't be sold with lights (though if you bike at night, you need to be seen, thus lights are mandatory).

What I didn't write in this thread, I'll write now which may give you an idea of my history regarding bikes.

I bought a bike 30 or 35 years ago when I lived in the US. There wasn't much in the way of choice then and I bought a 10 speed (I think) racing style bike. I never really biked all that much, the primary reason was neck pain. I moved here 20 years ago and saw a predominance of upright bikes ... and there were so many models from which to choose. I initially settled on a second hand three speed which served me well for a few years.

As time went on I would trade one bike in and buy another. It wasn't always a trade up though. I've bought bikes simply because of the design. Overall though, I never had any neck pain from sitting in a more upright position. There was a definite lack of choice for me in the US 30 years ago. I know the situation has improved somewhat but not to the extent of what I see offered in Holland, Germany, Belgium, or Denmark.

Ugh, this thread topic was lame last month and it's lame this month. Maybe it will work out for you in August.

Bike stores and online sources can't sell what they can't/won't offer to the customer, such as relatively inexpensive bicycles. It is obvious that the remaining number of the dwindling US independent bicycle retailers choose to specialize in selling bicycling and accessories to the niche market of enthusiasts and the well heeled consumer. They can thank goodness for their repair business which the online and big box stores do not offer.

It might be easier for a customer to find a fancy coffee being served up at a bicycle retail store then a ready to ride bicycle equipped for commuting/going to school/casual cycling.
Bike shops: The new Starbucks? - MarketWatch

I'll go with what I stated, since I've talked to several LBS owners....they carry what people ask for, at least in this area. People here simply don't want the fully loaded bike. The majority of customers are fair weather riders and have no real need for fenders. Lights? Why? They aren't going too be riding after 6pm. That's dinner time. Locks? Again, what for? The bikes will be stored hanging from the rafters iin the garage or basement....both of which will be closed off from public access.

So BikeForums, I was thinking about bicycles and the riding of them. Other people ride bikes differently than I do. If there weren't so many options, maybe this wouldn't happen. There's no question here, just an observation.

I took a look at the viewer count for that lame post from last month, 1450+ views.

I'll try harder. My apologies.

1450, eh?

This completely pointless thread here http://www.bikeforums.net/general-cy...-technium.html has over 13,000.

Yep, this thread is a re-tread of last month's thread by the same OP, in which he asked,

Simple answer is still the same. different market, different use for the product. The shops will stock what sells and not stock what doesn't sell. Good luck with next month's thread, which you can entitle, "Why don't US bikes come with built-in lights and fenders?"

You can easily get a "complete" bike in the US. It's as simple as buying an incomplete bike and adding whatever accessories you want.

Bells used to be required in DC,but that was repealed back in Jan. Of course,according to some folks,we're not actually part of the US. :rolleyes:

Sorry, New Hampshire Doesn't Have To Accept Your D.C. Driver's License: DCist
Yet Another TSA Agent Questions Legitimacy Of A D.C. Driver's License: DCist

It came equipped as you see it (other than the water bottle). So, yes, they are available; people just don't buy many of them.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=393980

What is the yellow thing behind? Trying to understand what my eyes are seeing but can't.


edit: never mind can see the chainring and a crankarm now, it's a bent, not used to getting a good look at one, never seen one that tall and didn't think the chainrings are that close to the handlebar.

Several years ago, I emailed a major manufacturer about having a bicycle with fenders etc. They finally did and later the model disappeared. It looks like a demand issue in North America. Mec.ca has Ghost bicycles though.

Reminds me of the car dealers and manufacturers in the U.S. who refused to recognize any demand (starting in the late 50's) for small cars, later small pickups, and later yet smaller cars that had better than bare bones appointments. The refrain heard, while first VW, and later the Japanese cleaned their clocks, was We don't make or sell 'em because nobody wants 'em, all real car/pickup owners buy what we want to make or sell.

yes, ignore the phrase "they carry what people ask for,". Makes it easy to argue your point.

Even though English is my first language, I fail to understand what I'm reading. I'll attribute that to my several glasses of wine.

Dave Horne,

perhaps Pon Holdings would be familiar to you from Nederland. Their ownership of Derby Cycles and in particular that web site gives the North Americans some idea of what's going on in the Continent.

DERBY CYCLE bewegt: Unternehmen

What draws me to Pon Holdings is that it purchased Cervelo a while ago.

I own a VW Caddy and they are the VW importer for the Netherlands. They also own Gazelle (as I learned from their web site), one of the two top Dutch bike brands.