I wish this were true, but after almost 10 years of riding my bike along Chicago’s lakefront path in the summers, I can say that nothing short of a fucking air horn (and maybe not even that) will get the attention of some people. Even with vigorous bell ringing and/or loud yelling, there are pedestrians, runners, and…

A lot of serious cyclists are dicks.

I mean it’s to the point that it’s a miracle cycling hasn’t died out.

If your gonna have a horn, you need a Tijuana Brass and horn... and baskets are fucking awesome...

Bike mechanic I know used to work at a bike shop in the Bay Area. I was told that he’d show up to group rides in regular shorts and a shirt on a three speed and just stomp the roadies. His boss had to back him off because he was getting too many complaints.

Fenders and

Arguing about bells on bikes? Truly this country has a fucking stupid that can’t be fixed.

It’s perfectly legal in Arizona (and Phoenix, where I live) and as I said above, the sidewalks in Phoenix arealmost completely deserted most of the time. It is FAR safer for me to ride on the sidewalks than on the extremely wide, fast streets to my workplace, with cars that regularly top 50+ in a 35 zone, and scant…

This sounds like one of those things that is relevant only in the U.S., where few people use bicycles for daily transportation. In places where a bicycle is considered a viable mode of transportation, there are probably no such debates.

I bike to and from work, on a mix of streets and (virtually empty) sidewalks in Phoenix. On the rare occasion I do encounter a pedestrian, I always ring my bell (just one of those little thumb-flick bells) at a pretty great distance. People can hear bells and know what they mean better than whatever you can yell at…

I made that realization with winter outerwear. I’ve looked ridiculous for the past few years (to my wife at least), but I’ve never been more comfortable.

Funny how cyclists have no problem saying motorists should just wait when finding themselves behind slower moving cyclists, but then get all bent out of shape when they are forced to wait behind slower moving pedestrians. Almost like cyclists are entitled assholes who just want the world to cater solely to them. If…

Bonus: I ring my bike’s bell nearly continuously while riding home from happy hours. I like to think it notifies the community of my happiness.

And their headphones are noise canceling.

Every damned time a bicyclist would yell out “On your left!” I would instantly jump to my left—without fail. This would lead to a flurry of curse words as the bicyclist would readjust to passing on my right. Bells, though, every time I heard a bell, I would move further right.

I mean, I would realize seconds later…

Life-pro-tip: embrace your lameness. It will make you very happy.

Bells won’t work - people will never hear them because they have the volume on their iToys cranked up to 12 in both ears.

The Knog bell is cr@p. Sound is so soft that no one pays attention to it. $50 for the Spur bell is an insult to consumers. Some of the $10 Japanese bells are good (Crane brand and others), but figuring out which one will fit on your handlebars is difficult.

Counter point: Many walkers on mixed use paths have horrible behavior. They’ll be listening to music too loudly to recognize that a cyclist is behind them, let alone respond to a bell or voice. They’ll take up the entire width of the path, many times even beyond if they have a dog on a leash.

There’s ignorance on the other side, too, I agree. Note to the pedestrians as well - be aware of your surroundings if you are wearing headphones/earbuds. You’re not in a bubble and don’t own the path, either. Wear mirrors on your head if necessary.

“There are few things dorkier than putting a bell on your bicycle.”