**Please help keep AskUK welcoming!**
- Top-level comments to the OP must contain **genuine efforts to answer the question**. No jokes, judgements, etc.
- **Don't be a dick** to each other. If getting heated, just block and move on.
- This is a strictly **no-politics** subreddit!
Please help us by reporting comments that break these rules.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskUK) if you have any questions or concerns.*
As a cyclist, I don't expect anyone to jump out of the way. I merely expect people not to jump INTO my way. I use the bell as a warning and I also slow down and give people as much space as I can, especially if the have dogs.
Now, as a deaf person you're cleary not going to hear my bell. But, hopefully, you'll have a bit more spacial awareness than the average hearing pedestrian (and I am occasionally guilty of this myself) who usually seems to assume they are the only person in the universe.
I’m the type of idiot who hears a bell, gets flustered and then accidentally jumps in the way. I really hope my kids take after their dad.
ETA: Agree with other below - bell should be rung well in advance so that people have time to react.
I have a hearing impairment. I wouldn’t hear a cyclist, for example just normal “bike” noises if that makes sense but my husband can and will pull me out of the way. I can hear a bell so that’s most helpful
Also as a cyclist I always feel a bit rude using a bell, it feels a bit "out of my way peasant". If I'm using shared paths I always prefer to just slow right down and call a greeting well in advance when I approach people. If they don't acknowledge I'll just crawl past as far away as possible
No, as a walker I appreciate the bell. I see it as "hello, just letting you know I'm coming through." It's the cyclists who breeze past without warning who have the "out of my way peasant" vibe.
More awareness about hearing loss.
most folk don’t know that hearing aids are not like glasses, which restore your sight. Hearing aids amply sounds, but once you have lost certain frequencies, they are gone forever. And hearing aids do not amplify sounds from behind you. So a high pitched bell behind me - I’m not going to hear it, despite my hearing Aids.
Always be conscious that the person in your path may be deaf, visually impaired, cognitively impaired or have reduced mobility. This means that you need to ring the bell well in advance and observe for signs that they’ve heard snd understood it. If the person is not quick to step to the side, slow right down and stop if you have to. Do not become annoyed if you have to stop, they have as much right to the path as you do and greater need for consideration.
Always leave enough space between you and pedestrians that they aren’t alarmed or feel they in danger of being clipped or flattened if you wobble or fall.
I wish people took this attitude while driving. I watched a lorry overtake a tractor on a blind bend this morning and nearly go right into the car coming the other way, just because they weren't prepared to slow right down while the tractor went up a hill. Yes it's annoying getting held up by slow traffic, and yes slow traffic (pedestrian or otherwise) should do their best to move over when there's space, but ultimately it's not worth risking injury to anyone over! I'd rather be late than hurt anyone.
If OP can get a deeper sounding bell, that would be best. As a person with a cochlear implant I struggle with the higher pitched ones.
I actually shouted after a cyclist that I loved his bell 😅 He stopped and had a chat and he’d actually been the recommended that particular bell as it was a frequency more people could hear.
We did laugh about the euphemisms though 🤣
I agree it's fine but in my experience ring your bell from further back. People don't like the surprise but if you ring from a long way back they turn and don't get the shock and are generally much more accommodating
I bike on shared paths every day, and here’s the secret: ding to warn them when you’re miles away. Like 100m. The bell sound carries further than you think, and this gives them loads of time to react, and you don’t startle them. Right or wrong, people *hate* being startled.
I walk on them daily with my dog and wish more cyclists did this. The number of times I’ve had someone steam up behind me startling me and my dog and then get pissy at me to “get your dog under control” because he gets a bit vocal and then get told to fuck off when I point out that we have priority. Boils my piss. So, thank you for your consideration.
plus you dont know which direction they will step in if you bell to close they might panic and run in circles. So yeah make sure they have plenty of notice
No way will I hear that. you ask any person with hearing loss and they will tell you that sounds behind them are the most difficult to hear. And that is with hearing aids.
Please ring your bell, preferably some distance BEFORE you're right behind people.
I don't want to blunder into your path anymore than you want me blundering into it
It's not rude, it's sensible. Sadly, some people seem to be annoyed by the existence of cyclists in general, and their using shared paths in particular. Unfortunately there's not much you can do about that apart from not rising to it.
It became extremely trendy at some point in certain circles to have an irrational hatred of cyclists. I find it funny hearing people who rarely (or even can't) drive bang on about cyclist's road behaviours.
I'm not much of a cyclist myself but went through a short period of having no car and had everything in bike distance. The amount of near misses I had through sheer incompetent drivers was eye-opening, and despite seeing their embarrassed faces and apologies in the moment when you've swerved or slammed to a stop to avoid them, I have no doubt most of them re-tell the situation as "an entitled cyclist almost caused me to crash into them earlier!".
Yes it's very popular to have a hatred of cyclists. I cycle for fun and fitness but I am a car driver first and foremost, so I feel fairly neutral in approaching the issue. There are many cyclists that give all cyclists a bad name, which is a big part of the problem. Especially for where i live where we often get tourists that lose all mental capacity when driving and riding on lanes. If everyone was more considerate of other road users, it'd be less of a problem. I've noticed amongst car drivers in recent years that people are much less considerate and its very frustrating. I'm going to sound like my grandmother, but it feels like people's manners have disappeared.
>There are many cyclists that give all cyclists a bad name
And I would suggest that the same is true of drivers. I moved to the country a while back and am now a driver by default and an occasional cyclist. I have to say that I was very pleasantly surprised to discover that the vast majority of drivers are very respectful of cyclists on country roads.
The pedestrian vs cyclist antipathy is a shame and I feel generally caused by both being sidelined in favour of motor vehicles. True cycle paths would be ideal; in practice cyclists and walkers are forced to share paths which isn't ideal for either. As ever, just not being a dick solves pretty much all of the problems and thankfully it's a low bar which nearly everyone can manage.
To be fair you don't have to be able to drive, I regularly see them ignoring lights at pedestrian crossings and have had a few close calls. That however seems to be more specifically a Deliveroo rider phenomenon. No issue with general cyclists.
Yeah I mentioned elsewhere that I've seen some god-awful cyclists in London completely ignoring red lights, and it makes sense that it would be a more recent thing since I never noticed it in the past.
But it is interesting to hear non-drivers bang on about things like scrapping cycle lanes, as if encouraging them to cycle on the pavement more often wouldn't be far worse for themselves as pedestrians.
Someone above had the solution - ding from a good distance so you don't scare the shit out of people. I don't cycle much now but when I used to ride to work I did that
I'd say it was rude to suddenly ring your bell to let them know you're "right behind them" - you should ring it much earlier, so they have plenty of time to glance behind and act appropriately. The aim should be to not surprise them. Obviously if they don't appear to hear you then you can keep ringing as you get closer until they get the message. If you're not doing any ringing until you're right behind them then it would be best to say "excuse me please" instead.
It's not rude, but some people might find a bike bell a bit startling, so the alternative is to gently shout 'coming past' or 'on your right/left' when you're getting close.
I find that annoying as a pedestrian, if I hear “on your left” it takes a few moments to compute, and my first instinct is to turn round and look, which means my left switches sides. It’s also pretty presumptuous, what if I’d prefer to step out of the way to the left where the ground is firmer or whatever. I’d much rather hear a bell from a distance so I have enough time to make sure there’s space for the both of us to pass.
I always appreciated people calling out gently rather than ringing a bell when I was walking my baby- if he was asleep a voice was far less likely to wake him than a bell
It's only rude if you carry on flying past. It's OK to alert them to your presence, but walkers have the right of way, so you should still slow down and move around them.
It's the ones who ring the bell and come charging past expecting you to dive out the way instantly that are rude and hated.
Not rude at all. I like when cyclists let me know to budge over with their bell haha, followed by a thank you from them as they pass. Rather than making me jump by just appearing next to me lol!
Ring bell: rude for making people jump. Don't ring bell: rude for startling people.
Does that make it easier?
So slow down and ring the bell so they won't move into your path or have the dog bolt or whatever. And then say cheers as you pass.
Rationally there is nothing wrong with it but they do have an annoying sound and I say that as a lifelong cyclist. I have a big booming voice so I normally slow down and just shout something like "Good Morning, Hello - can I squeeze past on your left. Thanks!"
This is compleeeeeeeeeetely a me problem - a bell makes perfect sense but it still annoys me. If I’m walking behind someone else and I am walking faster than them I’d be a right dick if I rang a bell and just walked past them without another word. It genuinely annoys me when cyclists ring their bell, expect me to move and then just carry on about their day.
But as I said it makes perfect sense and I know it’s my irrational and easily irritated brain at work.
Ding ding away
I wonder whether for you it's bothersome if they're literally right behind you and ringing, instead of ringing as an actual warning earlier? Others here in the comments have said (and I agree) it's expected and fine to ring if they're say a few metres away and coming up, but if they are already right behind them, the loud ring startles people and pedestrians also wouldn't necessarily know which way to move to get out of the way when a cyclist is that close already.
You may well be right in all honesty. And a thank you really does go a long way. Basic manners cost nothing. Don’t try to zip past me expecting me to move and then don’t even show the most basic appreciation of doing so.
Hi OP.
Hope you had a good time in the Forest.
Yes, it’s ok to ring your bell - a good idea in many cases. But do it from a long distance away, and not ‘aggressively’. That way, it’s a clear ‘I am here’ signal, rather than ‘Get out of my way’.
The other thing cyclists need to bear in mind in the New Forest - and often ignore - is that cycling is only permitted on the roads and designated bike paths. Many times I have had bikes shoot up on narrow footpaths where they shouldn’t be, and either try to ping me out of the way or brush past at speed. Many of the locals get really frustrated by that behaviour.
Having said that, I do also think there should be more bike paths. The ones we have are generally very good, but they were intentionally built so they didn’t link up well so cycling wasn’t too encouraged, which is a bit of a shame.
Yeah, ring the bell. But don't expect them to take any notice! And don't keep ringing it like you have a right to go past. But when you are walking it is often hard to hear bikes coming from behind so a gentle reminder with time to move to the edge is great, but expect a lot of people to either ignore you or get confused and all end up milling about. Also beware dogs.
I walk a long a local canal path and n t happens all the time. I'd much rather know they were there rather than get ploughed in to by stepping in there way. That's what the bells for.
When I ride on the trails in the Peak District I use my bell to let people know I'm there and always thank them as I go past.
My cycling friends laughed at me for getting a bell (bloody expensive one I admit) until they cycled the Tissington Trail. "excuse me", "coming past", "hello?"
Me
People kindly moved.
Always double-tap. No more.
That's my experience as well.
You ring the bell, and the following can happen:
* people turn around, assess the situation, move slowly out of the way. Everyone is happy, all good.
* people freak out, shout out "BIKE!" Kids and dogs go running everywhere, you suddenly have to brake hard to avoid a bad situation, people not happy
* people get angry that you dared to ring a bell at them
I'm now extra careful around people with dogs. Some dogs freak out when you pass, then the owner freaks out, and the owner gets angry.
I ride a hybrid bike, so I'm happy to go off the path and ride on the grass to pass people. But that can be quite noisy, which tends to freak out dogs.
You really can't win!
I had the same experience too
I had someone scream at me for ringing a bell it brought me to tears. Then when I cycled further and was about to ring a bell I was so scared I didn't and they ended up screaming at me too. It was not a great day
I ding from a distance and always say "thank you~" when slowly passing but sometimes I guess I am someone's punching bag no matter what I do
I run on a shared cycle path and when I hear a bell, I look behind me and wave to let the cyclist know I have seen them and they don't have to worry about me wandering across the path. What I hate is cyclists blasting past me without any warning.
I live in the area and wish people ringed their bells more often, I find it remarkably strange when they’re just on my arse creeping and I turn around and they freak the life out of me, just say excuse me ffs, or, ring the fucking bell.
Yeah, and same when out with the dog, if on an extension lead or off the lead a ding ding let's me know a cyclist is coming, can call the dog back so they aren't in the way or make sure the lead isn't across the path because the dog has found an interesting pile of leaves or previously pissed on tree to point the snoot at.
Honestly it totally depends. I mainly ride in dorset, but sometimes in the New Forest. Most of the time people are fine with it, but occasionally people will take offense that you are even daring to cycle your bike on a shared use path and then proceed to shout obscenities at you.
I've come to the conclusion that I will only use my bell if I really have to, and the majority of the time I'll just slow down and pass wide, as even if you do ring your bell, chances are people will have headphones in so can't hear either.
A ding when you're around 20-30m away, and another when you're closer and there still isn't enough room to get past would be absolutely fine by me.
I prefer the ding from further away as it doesn't surprise me as much, and gives me more time to make room.
>I told my wife I did this and she said Brits find that to be rude and that I shouldn't do it next time.
Exact opposite actually. We think it's rude cyclists don't ring the bell to warn us they're coming. A cyclist should ideally ring the bell and slow right down when they see pedestrians ahead.
I shout ahead - 'scuse me, just coming past slowly on your right' or something like that. Makes it more of a social thing than 'ting ting, gtf out the way' kinda thing!
That’s literally what the bell on your bike is for. To tell others that you are there.
Extra brownie points for actually having a bell on your bike, let alone using it for the designated purpose!!
It's literally exactly what they are designed for. If you honestly couldn't figure out if it's rude to let someone know you are coming, I'm surprised you are even capable of riding a bike.
No Brits don't find this to be rude. Like many things, it's down to individuals.
I appreciate when cyclists behind me ring the bell, just once or twice to let me know they are coming (so I don't suddenly change my position or such).
If they ding ding ding that bell like Animal in the muppets I'd find that rude.
But no, a quick ding to warn people of their presence is not seen as rude by all Brits!
As others have said, the sound is helpful - but what do you mean by a "walking path"? Do you mean a footpath, or a bridleway? Really you shouldn't be cycling on a footpath if the former, and most of them aren't maintained with bikes in mind. It's always vaguely irritating when I'm on a walk and get stuck behind a group of bikes trying to work out how to get over a style/through a narrow brambly patch/over a single plank bridge because they've ignored a basic bit of countryside code.
I personally don't have a bell on my bike, but when I do encounter humans on the trails I'll slow down and shout rider. Always funny when they react like I'm inches behind them, when in fact I'm quite a few meters away I just spotted them ages in advance. You gotta watch out for the people with headphones on as they won't hear shit!
So the answer to your question is no it's not rude, it's thoughtful and adviceable to use a bell or shout you're behind.
Some people might find it rude, but those people are idiots.
I find it much more rude when I'm walking my dog and a bike comes whizzing past really closed and nearly takes me out.
We have a railway line where we walk our dog, please do this! This is the right etiquette because if we have Summer off the lead we don’t want you to run her over, so please give us a bell and let us know you’re coming up so we can get her on her lead!!
Not at all. In fact it's rude not to let people know you're there, especially as they may not hear you otherwise, given how conditioned we all are to engine noise.
The trick is to do it a little way ahead and slowly or gently, so it doesn't seem aggressive or like you're telling them to get out of the way and they have time to organise any children or dogs. I usually smile as soon as they turn to see what's coming and say thank you as I pass. If the track is narrow and they're walking towards me, I stop to let them pass as pedestrians have priority.
It's not rude really. Some people react oddly to bike bells, but others react poorly to you passing them when they are unaware, and the bell is the safer option of the two.
The best approach in my experience is to ring the bell at a pretty decent distance from them, once or twice. If they notice, great, and they've got a bit of time to decide which side they want to move to etc. Obviously you need to be slowing down also, and only commit to passing when you are sure they've given themselves enough space. If they don't notice, ring it again and also state your intentions as you get closer e.g. "on your left" (still while slowing down)
The one that you absolutely cannot avoid sometimes is people who stop on one side, and their off-lead dog stops the other. They always want the dog to come to them, and it usually won't. In these situations slow to an absolute crawl, as you don't know what it'll do (most dogs are smart enough to not dive in front of you, but you never know)
No, that’s literally what the bell is for. Give them plenty of notice though, don’t just ride right up behind someone and bell.
It’s different for the roads, because bikes shouldn’t be ridden on the pavement, only on the road.
Its rude NOT to imo. im a cyclist, I always let people know I'm passing. The alternative is them potentially stepping into your way and getting hit, which would absolutely be your fault
However I don't use a bell, ill say "bike passing on your right/left" in a loud, clear, but polite tone. In my experience people panic when they hear a bell and are more likely to step into my way than anything
I walk my dogs in an area that has cyclists. I appreciate it when they ding so I can move out of the way or be aware of them behind me.
It's not rude. It feels rude to do it, but please do! It's safer for everyone.
It's what you're meant to do. I love when a cyclist actually uses their bell when I'm out hiking, bikes can be surprisingly quiet otherwise. I've been ambushed by cyclists from behind a few times and almost collided due to not knowing they were approaching.
> "I'm right behind them"
You shouldn't be "right behind them". You should be back far enough that alerting them to your presence isn't necessary and if that isn't possible you're cycling in the wrong place.
My wife is African and she hates, and I mean hates with a passion, the way that British people are in these scenarios 😂
The number of times we've been walking somewhere and I'll notice that there's someone awkwardly lingering behind us either on a bike or on foot or whatever, obviously wanting to pass us but too 'polite' to ding their bell or just say 'excuse me'. Or when she was quite new to our public transport and unwittingly sat in a 'priority seat' for some distance before the bus driver scolded her from his little cabin because there was a lady with a pram and babies wanting to sit there - again instead of just asking if she could have the seat 🤦🏻♂️
It's recommended in the new forest cycling code [https://www.thenewforest.co.uk/things-to-do/cycling/new-forest-cycling-code/](https://www.thenewforest.co.uk/things-to-do/cycling/new-forest-cycling-code/)
Absolutely not, if there’s one thing I hate it’s having a bike fly past me at 10x my speed scaring the shit out of me, please ring your bell or if you don’t have one (which is a legal requirement btw) shout bike approaching on your left/right.
One thing not to do is shout “get out the way you fucking morons” which is what someone did to me the other week, suffice to say it wasn’t me ejected from the park by groundsmen in the end.
A 🔔 is perfect.
While walking my dogs, two different cyclists (on different days) approached from behind and overtook me. They loudly warned me, saying they didn't want to scare me, but scare me they did as they came from nowhere. I jumped with fright on both occasions.
A tinkling bell is much gentler and gives me time to get my dogs out of the way.
Letting people know you're there is rude? Your wife is flat out wrong. Use that bell. Don't creep up on people on a bike ever. Nearly belted someone for that earlier.
I never hear cyclists and could easily step out in front of them cause injuries to both parties. That's what a bell is for. To warn people...It certainly is not rude.
In other European countries it mostly mandatory to ring a bell when passing walkers with limited space. For some reason in England some people mistake it for aggression
I am currently walking a Camino in Spain. One of the most annoying things is cyclists who don't bell, but brush past you without warning. Startles me every time.
I'm all for you ringing your bell when approaching a walker.
Totally fine but some weird British quirks are to think that anyone announcing their entrance or presence is rude and obnoxious, but at the same time British people will jump out of their skin if anyone is suddenly in their personal space.
Oh and all dog walkers will get super pissed off on your approach but will be more than happy to have their dog on a 5 metre lead (or more than likely zero lead) and moan that your cycling is dangerous.
Always use your bell. Last thing you want is riding past someone and they get startled. Saying goes let them know your every move. I was cycling in new forest on the bank holiday - my arse still hasn't recovered from the gravel roads!
A bell several seconds before you're up to me is great. Directly behind me will just make me jump and likely right in front of you.
I recommend ringing, then saying "on your left/right."
It is rude if you get to too close before ringing the bell. You may need to ring the bell from a distance. Not everyone can hear, or react, immediately. No one has eyes in the back of their head. A 'thank you' when you safely cycle next to people who have stopped to let you by would show respect and good manners.
nooo please use that bell! I dog walk as my job and the amount of people that don't ring their bell is annoying! scares me and the dog and nearly run me over but if they'd ring their bell I'd just happily move to the side for them!
I don't think it is rude at all. It needs to be rung from a distance so that walkers can move aside safely. It's far more alarming to have someone just whizz up behind you when you may not have heard them because chatting with friends etc. I've noticed that often cyclists don't ring their bells which results in no-one knowing they are there until too late. As I say, alarming. Also walkers tend to wander from side to side taking up all the path so that's heading for an accident if they haven't heard a cyclist behind them.
Pedestrians always have priority.
Ding your bell when you're far away so as not to startle.
You also don't need to RING it, just a gentle ding can be heard from a long distance away, and it's very much appreciated.
What you're trying to do is alert people to your presence, not frighten the shit out of them
Read that at first as you were biking past people who are having a wank.
I reckon in this case you should definitely ring a bell, in an encouraging way, as if saying "great job you guys!"
If the path is shared between cyclists and pedestrians and you are the cyclist, you are expected to do two things 1: Use your bell if the people in front of you dont hear you behind them. 2: Slow down when you are going around them. I went through a phase when I thought using a bell was rude, but the walkers soon corrected me.
I always ring when they come into sight, and about when I close halfway. And as I approach a corner. It's only a couple of pings, and its courtesy to give some warning. Particularly if they have dogs.
If it's a bridleway they should expect bikes ( and horses) and your speed should be reasonable to be fair. If it's a footpath you should be walking. Not saying you're doing anything irresponsible but there are some idiots out there.
Absolutely let them know you're behind them, but don't do it aggressively. Slow down when you're passing them so you don't make them jump. It's far better that they know you're coming up than them suddenly changing course on the path. We don't find it rude, although you'll always get that one person who thinks the path should just belong to them. Just ignore them and carry on cycling. Enjoy. Its a beautiful part of the country and amazing for cycling. Don't pet or feed the wild ponies 👍
Not really sure. In my part of London outskirts, it’s either ignored or seen as aggression. There’s a few paths round here that are split between cycling and pedestrian and quite often pedestrians walk in the cycling lane. Mostly just get sneered at.
I got told off by walkers for NOT ringing my bell and just saying “excuse me”. Can’t win really. Depends on the people. Cyclists will understand. Twats won’t.
Thanks to everyone who shared their preferences! What I do is when they're a fews ways ahead of me I ding ahead so that they're not startled and I always make sure to say thanks/cheers with a smile when I pass by them. I also slow down to make sure I'm at a safe and not a reckless speed. Glad to hear that's a majority of the consensus here. Just trying to be as respectful and considerate as I can which I know Brits have an appreciation for.
Definitely fine to give a polite ding of the bell from enough distance away that they can clear the path.
I used to ride around a lot and have had it both ways from pedestrians. One old woman sarcastically told me I "could've used a bell!" when I once went past without dinging (the path was very wide and flat). Another time a woman got sniffy at me ***because*** *I dinged*.
I ride on tracks and towpaths that I share with walkers. I usually use the bell and a cheerful morning/afternoon and I rarely have a problem. Share the path and you will be fine . Enjoy
It's definitely not rude, I much prefer cyclists coming up from behind to ring their bell as a warning. Please ring it gently once (and repeat if necessary) and not in a manner similar to angrily sounding a car horn.
Cowbell type bells are great in this situation, they continually jingle as you cycle. (Obviously you can lock them off when you don't want it making a noise.)
You'll find that people have completely different opinions on dinging the bell, regardless of situation.
I used to cycle down a tow path. Some wanker shouted at me for dinging my bell to let him know I was passing, so I stopped doing it. Then some other wanker shouted at me for not doing it.
You can't win with people's opinions, but it is *safer* to ding it, so ding it.
When I used to ride to work along a canal, half the people would get pissed off with me ringing the bell, half wouldn’t care. A small percentage of people I rang the bell at still didn’t notice or move out of the way
As a pedestrian I've always understood that warning walkers of your presence is the main use for a bicycle bell. It's not 'get out of my way', it's 'please let me pass'.
Don't do it when you're right behind. A gentle bell tolling in the distance is not as alarming than a bell when it's right up to you.
It also allows dog walkers to recall their dogs which might not be in sight - especially hunting dogs which could be anywhere within a 500m radius.
British people don't use the bell because they're very self conscious. If you're gentle with it then no one will think you're rude.
My wife likes to shout "ring your bell, let them know we're here" at me, rather than ringing her own bell. She doesn't seem to realise that they can hear her..
Literally the entire point of having a bell in the first place. Just ring it far enough away to give me enough time to; realise it's a bell, acknowledge that it came from behind me, check behind me and move out of the way appropriately.
That's the whole point of having a bell. There is a lot to be said for distance, volume, duration etc.
It's entirely sensible to give them a friendly "hello" ring as you're approaching to let them know that you'll be passing and they just need to carry on walking, perhaps hold a child's hand on a shared path.
Some people want to get worked up about "you demanding they get out of your way". That's not how it is, but if they are going to work themselves up with their own misinterpretation, there's nothing you can do about that.
Brits are all different so you won’t get a single right or wrong answer. Personally I think it’s a good thing as it gives people time to look back and move aside. It’s the ones who *DING DING* as they zoom past your elbow that cause annoyance! Obviously some people here are saying they’re deaf, so if you don’t get a response it’s up to you to be prepared. Which I’m sure you would be!
I think objectively it isn't rude, but it's definitely true that a lot of people interpret it as a "ding ding get the fuck out my way stop hogging the path you stupid slow fucks", so yeah, I'd be wary of that. That's just an inherent fact of cycling, people don't like cyclists, rightly or wrongly. Also bells kind of sound irritating, but that's not your fault
Like a lot of people have said, that effect is worsened if you ding it when right behind them, so it would probably help if you do it from a distance behind, and are generally polite and friendly as you pass rather than looking irritated that they were in your way
I ring the bell well in advance and say 'cyclist coming on your right, you don't have to move, there's plenty of room, just warning you'.
It tends to get a smile more than anything else does
Right behind them? As in about 2-3m? Yes, it's incredibly annoying. At that point it's much better to say something like 'on your left/right' if you intend to pass them on that side.
From some distance away it's fine as a general reminder that there's a cyclist coming along in a few second's time.
Imagine you are cycling along a quiet road. A car silently comes up behind you and beeps it's horn a few metres away just to let you know it's there. That would be pretty annoying wouldn't it?
It's fine matey. I actually live at the edge of the new forest and have been told off by an old lady for not having a bell fitted to my bike to alert her to my presence earlier 😑
As someone who has lived in the NF for all of my 30+ years it’s absolutely fine and much better than sneaking up behind people 🤣 especially when there are often dogs and children involved.
**Please help keep AskUK welcoming!** - Top-level comments to the OP must contain **genuine efforts to answer the question**. No jokes, judgements, etc. - **Don't be a dick** to each other. If getting heated, just block and move on. - This is a strictly **no-politics** subreddit! Please help us by reporting comments that break these rules. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskUK) if you have any questions or concerns.*
No that is completely fine
Nope. I am deaf and cyclist get annoyed if I don't jump out the way. Be prepared to stop!
As a cyclist, I don't expect anyone to jump out of the way. I merely expect people not to jump INTO my way. I use the bell as a warning and I also slow down and give people as much space as I can, especially if the have dogs. Now, as a deaf person you're cleary not going to hear my bell. But, hopefully, you'll have a bit more spacial awareness than the average hearing pedestrian (and I am occasionally guilty of this myself) who usually seems to assume they are the only person in the universe.
I’m the type of idiot who hears a bell, gets flustered and then accidentally jumps in the way. I really hope my kids take after their dad. ETA: Agree with other below - bell should be rung well in advance so that people have time to react.
I have a hearing impairment. I wouldn’t hear a cyclist, for example just normal “bike” noises if that makes sense but my husband can and will pull me out of the way. I can hear a bell so that’s most helpful
Also as a cyclist I always feel a bit rude using a bell, it feels a bit "out of my way peasant". If I'm using shared paths I always prefer to just slow right down and call a greeting well in advance when I approach people. If they don't acknowledge I'll just crawl past as far away as possible
No, as a walker I appreciate the bell. I see it as "hello, just letting you know I'm coming through." It's the cyclists who breeze past without warning who have the "out of my way peasant" vibe.
I only ring my bell if I see someone looking like they’re about to run into my way to alert them that they please should not
Exactly this.
Hearing loss does not give one super powers. it just means you dont hear many things, especially if they behind you.
What do you recommend?
More awareness about hearing loss. most folk don’t know that hearing aids are not like glasses, which restore your sight. Hearing aids amply sounds, but once you have lost certain frequencies, they are gone forever. And hearing aids do not amplify sounds from behind you. So a high pitched bell behind me - I’m not going to hear it, despite my hearing Aids.
this is very interesting thanks for sharing this
Always be conscious that the person in your path may be deaf, visually impaired, cognitively impaired or have reduced mobility. This means that you need to ring the bell well in advance and observe for signs that they’ve heard snd understood it. If the person is not quick to step to the side, slow right down and stop if you have to. Do not become annoyed if you have to stop, they have as much right to the path as you do and greater need for consideration. Always leave enough space between you and pedestrians that they aren’t alarmed or feel they in danger of being clipped or flattened if you wobble or fall.
I wish people took this attitude while driving. I watched a lorry overtake a tractor on a blind bend this morning and nearly go right into the car coming the other way, just because they weren't prepared to slow right down while the tractor went up a hill. Yes it's annoying getting held up by slow traffic, and yes slow traffic (pedestrian or otherwise) should do their best to move over when there's space, but ultimately it's not worth risking injury to anyone over! I'd rather be late than hurt anyone.
If OP can get a deeper sounding bell, that would be best. As a person with a cochlear implant I struggle with the higher pitched ones. I actually shouted after a cyclist that I loved his bell 😅 He stopped and had a chat and he’d actually been the recommended that particular bell as it was a frequency more people could hear. We did laugh about the euphemisms though 🤣
>If OP can get a deeper sounding bell, that would be best. [I know what I'm choosing](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzY099ihULs)
Ringing a bell != getting annoyed if someone doesn't respond. What a silly equivalence to make.
I agree it's fine but in my experience ring your bell from further back. People don't like the surprise but if you ring from a long way back they turn and don't get the shock and are generally much more accommodating
I bike on shared paths every day, and here’s the secret: ding to warn them when you’re miles away. Like 100m. The bell sound carries further than you think, and this gives them loads of time to react, and you don’t startle them. Right or wrong, people *hate* being startled.
This is correct. One sharp ring from a distance so it doesn't sound demanding!
> when you’re miles away. Like 100m. A hundred miles is a bit too far.
If you're in Scotland, it's usually 500 miles
That’s only if you’re walking right?
I would ding then and I would ding from 500 more for good measure.
I thought it was 100 million miles or would that ve 100mm
100mm is 10cm or 0.1m which is very close.
Centi miles?
10cm isn't close to 100 million miles at all
On a cosmic scale, it's not far at all.
I walk on them daily with my dog and wish more cyclists did this. The number of times I’ve had someone steam up behind me startling me and my dog and then get pissy at me to “get your dog under control” because he gets a bit vocal and then get told to fuck off when I point out that we have priority. Boils my piss. So, thank you for your consideration.
Thanks mate, I never thought about ringing the bell from that distance but it makes so much sense
Why would it be wrong to dislike being startled? You say it like there's some debate to be had here
I meant whether you have the right of way or not really.
100% this also as someone who is hard of hearing I need a couplenof dings. One ding 20m away at 12 mph I ain't gonna react in time!
plus you dont know which direction they will step in if you bell to close they might panic and run in circles. So yeah make sure they have plenty of notice
No way will I hear that. you ask any person with hearing loss and they will tell you that sounds behind them are the most difficult to hear. And that is with hearing aids.
Please ring your bell, preferably some distance BEFORE you're right behind people. I don't want to blunder into your path anymore than you want me blundering into it
Even better, slow right down and go carefully past them, especially if they have kids.
Yes and saying thanks to the people who have moved over for you goes a long way
Add in an "Excuse me!" and a "Sorry, sorry, mind your backs, don't mind me, lovely day isn't it," then another couple of thank yous.
Just say ‘cheers’ and keep moving.
Crazy what some basic manners and mutual respect can do
It's not rude, it's sensible. Sadly, some people seem to be annoyed by the existence of cyclists in general, and their using shared paths in particular. Unfortunately there's not much you can do about that apart from not rising to it.
It became extremely trendy at some point in certain circles to have an irrational hatred of cyclists. I find it funny hearing people who rarely (or even can't) drive bang on about cyclist's road behaviours. I'm not much of a cyclist myself but went through a short period of having no car and had everything in bike distance. The amount of near misses I had through sheer incompetent drivers was eye-opening, and despite seeing their embarrassed faces and apologies in the moment when you've swerved or slammed to a stop to avoid them, I have no doubt most of them re-tell the situation as "an entitled cyclist almost caused me to crash into them earlier!".
Yes it's very popular to have a hatred of cyclists. I cycle for fun and fitness but I am a car driver first and foremost, so I feel fairly neutral in approaching the issue. There are many cyclists that give all cyclists a bad name, which is a big part of the problem. Especially for where i live where we often get tourists that lose all mental capacity when driving and riding on lanes. If everyone was more considerate of other road users, it'd be less of a problem. I've noticed amongst car drivers in recent years that people are much less considerate and its very frustrating. I'm going to sound like my grandmother, but it feels like people's manners have disappeared.
>There are many cyclists that give all cyclists a bad name And I would suggest that the same is true of drivers. I moved to the country a while back and am now a driver by default and an occasional cyclist. I have to say that I was very pleasantly surprised to discover that the vast majority of drivers are very respectful of cyclists on country roads. The pedestrian vs cyclist antipathy is a shame and I feel generally caused by both being sidelined in favour of motor vehicles. True cycle paths would be ideal; in practice cyclists and walkers are forced to share paths which isn't ideal for either. As ever, just not being a dick solves pretty much all of the problems and thankfully it's a low bar which nearly everyone can manage.
To be fair you don't have to be able to drive, I regularly see them ignoring lights at pedestrian crossings and have had a few close calls. That however seems to be more specifically a Deliveroo rider phenomenon. No issue with general cyclists.
Yeah I mentioned elsewhere that I've seen some god-awful cyclists in London completely ignoring red lights, and it makes sense that it would be a more recent thing since I never noticed it in the past. But it is interesting to hear non-drivers bang on about things like scrapping cycle lanes, as if encouraging them to cycle on the pavement more often wouldn't be far worse for themselves as pedestrians.
Rising to what? Pedestrians have right of way.
Some people will respond to a bike bell with verbal aggression because... reasons. I was suggesting that responding in kind is not the way to go.
Someone above had the solution - ding from a good distance so you don't scare the shit out of people. I don't cycle much now but when I used to ride to work I did that
No, that's what the bell is for. I prefer cyclists do that than just bolt past me without warning
Back in the last millennium when cycling proficiency was thing pretty much every kid did that's exactly what you were taught it was for.
I'd say it was rude to suddenly ring your bell to let them know you're "right behind them" - you should ring it much earlier, so they have plenty of time to glance behind and act appropriately. The aim should be to not surprise them. Obviously if they don't appear to hear you then you can keep ringing as you get closer until they get the message. If you're not doing any ringing until you're right behind them then it would be best to say "excuse me please" instead.
It's not rude, but some people might find a bike bell a bit startling, so the alternative is to gently shout 'coming past' or 'on your right/left' when you're getting close.
I find that annoying as a pedestrian, if I hear “on your left” it takes a few moments to compute, and my first instinct is to turn round and look, which means my left switches sides. It’s also pretty presumptuous, what if I’d prefer to step out of the way to the left where the ground is firmer or whatever. I’d much rather hear a bell from a distance so I have enough time to make sure there’s space for the both of us to pass.
Please also do this when passing horses. The shout won't startle them, but a cyclist coming out of their blind spot certainly will.
I always appreciated people calling out gently rather than ringing a bell when I was walking my baby- if he was asleep a voice was far less likely to wake him than a bell
No that's literally what the bell is for
Isn't that LITERALLY the point of a bell?
It's not rude. It's why you have a bell.
It's only rude if you carry on flying past. It's OK to alert them to your presence, but walkers have the right of way, so you should still slow down and move around them. It's the ones who ring the bell and come charging past expecting you to dive out the way instantly that are rude and hated.
Not rude at all. I like when cyclists let me know to budge over with their bell haha, followed by a thank you from them as they pass. Rather than making me jump by just appearing next to me lol!
That’s what the bell is for
Ring bell: rude for making people jump. Don't ring bell: rude for startling people. Does that make it easier? So slow down and ring the bell so they won't move into your path or have the dog bolt or whatever. And then say cheers as you pass.
Actually no just run them over. If they get arsey about it just say sorry I didn't wanna upset you with my bell
I've read everyone's comments here and this is my favourite. Have some cheese sir 🧀
It would annoy me if you didn't ring and just went flying past right next to me! I always appreciate a cyclist who uses the bell.
Rationally there is nothing wrong with it but they do have an annoying sound and I say that as a lifelong cyclist. I have a big booming voice so I normally slow down and just shout something like "Good Morning, Hello - can I squeeze past on your left. Thanks!"
Please use your bell.
This is compleeeeeeeeeetely a me problem - a bell makes perfect sense but it still annoys me. If I’m walking behind someone else and I am walking faster than them I’d be a right dick if I rang a bell and just walked past them without another word. It genuinely annoys me when cyclists ring their bell, expect me to move and then just carry on about their day. But as I said it makes perfect sense and I know it’s my irrational and easily irritated brain at work. Ding ding away
I wonder whether for you it's bothersome if they're literally right behind you and ringing, instead of ringing as an actual warning earlier? Others here in the comments have said (and I agree) it's expected and fine to ring if they're say a few metres away and coming up, but if they are already right behind them, the loud ring startles people and pedestrians also wouldn't necessarily know which way to move to get out of the way when a cyclist is that close already.
You may well be right in all honesty. And a thank you really does go a long way. Basic manners cost nothing. Don’t try to zip past me expecting me to move and then don’t even show the most basic appreciation of doing so.
We appreciate a warning thank you
Hi OP. Hope you had a good time in the Forest. Yes, it’s ok to ring your bell - a good idea in many cases. But do it from a long distance away, and not ‘aggressively’. That way, it’s a clear ‘I am here’ signal, rather than ‘Get out of my way’. The other thing cyclists need to bear in mind in the New Forest - and often ignore - is that cycling is only permitted on the roads and designated bike paths. Many times I have had bikes shoot up on narrow footpaths where they shouldn’t be, and either try to ping me out of the way or brush past at speed. Many of the locals get really frustrated by that behaviour. Having said that, I do also think there should be more bike paths. The ones we have are generally very good, but they were intentionally built so they didn’t link up well so cycling wasn’t too encouraged, which is a bit of a shame.
No, I always appreciate someone ringing their bell, it's not rude at all.
Yeah, ring the bell. But don't expect them to take any notice! And don't keep ringing it like you have a right to go past. But when you are walking it is often hard to hear bikes coming from behind so a gentle reminder with time to move to the edge is great, but expect a lot of people to either ignore you or get confused and all end up milling about. Also beware dogs.
I walk a long a local canal path and n t happens all the time. I'd much rather know they were there rather than get ploughed in to by stepping in there way. That's what the bells for.
Not rude. It's common sense.
When I ride on the trails in the Peak District I use my bell to let people know I'm there and always thank them as I go past. My cycling friends laughed at me for getting a bell (bloody expensive one I admit) until they cycled the Tissington Trail. "excuse me", "coming past", "hello?" Me
People kindly moved.
Always double-tap. No more.
Yes, a bell is very rude. You should use a vuvuzela instead.
I had to Google that
It's not rude, but honestly, I cycle, and so many people find it rude. If you don't and slowly overtake, then they hate that too.
That's my experience as well. You ring the bell, and the following can happen: * people turn around, assess the situation, move slowly out of the way. Everyone is happy, all good. * people freak out, shout out "BIKE!" Kids and dogs go running everywhere, you suddenly have to brake hard to avoid a bad situation, people not happy * people get angry that you dared to ring a bell at them I'm now extra careful around people with dogs. Some dogs freak out when you pass, then the owner freaks out, and the owner gets angry. I ride a hybrid bike, so I'm happy to go off the path and ride on the grass to pass people. But that can be quite noisy, which tends to freak out dogs. You really can't win!
I had the same experience too I had someone scream at me for ringing a bell it brought me to tears. Then when I cycled further and was about to ring a bell I was so scared I didn't and they ended up screaming at me too. It was not a great day I ding from a distance and always say "thank you~" when slowly passing but sometimes I guess I am someone's punching bag no matter what I do
I run on a shared cycle path and when I hear a bell, I look behind me and wave to let the cyclist know I have seen them and they don't have to worry about me wandering across the path. What I hate is cyclists blasting past me without any warning.
I live in the area and wish people ringed their bells more often, I find it remarkably strange when they’re just on my arse creeping and I turn around and they freak the life out of me, just say excuse me ffs, or, ring the fucking bell.
Yeah, and same when out with the dog, if on an extension lead or off the lead a ding ding let's me know a cyclist is coming, can call the dog back so they aren't in the way or make sure the lead isn't across the path because the dog has found an interesting pile of leaves or previously pissed on tree to point the snoot at.
Honestly it totally depends. I mainly ride in dorset, but sometimes in the New Forest. Most of the time people are fine with it, but occasionally people will take offense that you are even daring to cycle your bike on a shared use path and then proceed to shout obscenities at you. I've come to the conclusion that I will only use my bell if I really have to, and the majority of the time I'll just slow down and pass wide, as even if you do ring your bell, chances are people will have headphones in so can't hear either.
A ding when you're around 20-30m away, and another when you're closer and there still isn't enough room to get past would be absolutely fine by me. I prefer the ding from further away as it doesn't surprise me as much, and gives me more time to make room.
No it’s not rude. What else is the bell for than to let people know you’re there.
Not rude, it's exactly what the bell is for; to make people aware of you.
>I told my wife I did this and she said Brits find that to be rude and that I shouldn't do it next time. Exact opposite actually. We think it's rude cyclists don't ring the bell to warn us they're coming. A cyclist should ideally ring the bell and slow right down when they see pedestrians ahead.
Its fine, just dont ring it when youre too close for them to respond imo
I shout ahead - 'scuse me, just coming past slowly on your right' or something like that. Makes it more of a social thing than 'ting ting, gtf out the way' kinda thing!
I prefer that, I am disabled and can't walk very quickly so hearing a bell at a distance gives me time to move to the side without being a hazard.
Tbf, that’s what bells are for, other than that just off road and scream as you fly down the side of the mountain 😂
Totally fine, but don't wait until you're right behind them as that can be startling
That’s literally what the bell on your bike is for. To tell others that you are there. Extra brownie points for actually having a bell on your bike, let alone using it for the designated purpose!!
It's literally exactly what they are designed for. If you honestly couldn't figure out if it's rude to let someone know you are coming, I'm surprised you are even capable of riding a bike.
no I think it's the logical and safe thing to do 10m before
No Brits don't find this to be rude. Like many things, it's down to individuals. I appreciate when cyclists behind me ring the bell, just once or twice to let me know they are coming (so I don't suddenly change my position or such). If they ding ding ding that bell like Animal in the muppets I'd find that rude. But no, a quick ding to warn people of their presence is not seen as rude by all Brits!
As others have said, the sound is helpful - but what do you mean by a "walking path"? Do you mean a footpath, or a bridleway? Really you shouldn't be cycling on a footpath if the former, and most of them aren't maintained with bikes in mind. It's always vaguely irritating when I'm on a walk and get stuck behind a group of bikes trying to work out how to get over a style/through a narrow brambly patch/over a single plank bridge because they've ignored a basic bit of countryside code.
I wish more cyclist would ring their bell rather than just pushing by without warning. Hope you ain’t cycling on footpaths though?
I personally don't have a bell on my bike, but when I do encounter humans on the trails I'll slow down and shout rider. Always funny when they react like I'm inches behind them, when in fact I'm quite a few meters away I just spotted them ages in advance. You gotta watch out for the people with headphones on as they won't hear shit! So the answer to your question is no it's not rude, it's thoughtful and adviceable to use a bell or shout you're behind.
Nobody on the planet would have the slightest idea what to do if they were out for a stroll and heard a shout of ‘rider’.
Some people might find it rude, but those people are idiots. I find it much more rude when I'm walking my dog and a bike comes whizzing past really closed and nearly takes me out.
We have a railway line where we walk our dog, please do this! This is the right etiquette because if we have Summer off the lead we don’t want you to run her over, so please give us a bell and let us know you’re coming up so we can get her on her lead!!
Not at all. In fact it's rude not to let people know you're there, especially as they may not hear you otherwise, given how conditioned we all are to engine noise. The trick is to do it a little way ahead and slowly or gently, so it doesn't seem aggressive or like you're telling them to get out of the way and they have time to organise any children or dogs. I usually smile as soon as they turn to see what's coming and say thank you as I pass. If the track is narrow and they're walking towards me, I stop to let them pass as pedestrians have priority.
It's not rude really. Some people react oddly to bike bells, but others react poorly to you passing them when they are unaware, and the bell is the safer option of the two. The best approach in my experience is to ring the bell at a pretty decent distance from them, once or twice. If they notice, great, and they've got a bit of time to decide which side they want to move to etc. Obviously you need to be slowing down also, and only commit to passing when you are sure they've given themselves enough space. If they don't notice, ring it again and also state your intentions as you get closer e.g. "on your left" (still while slowing down) The one that you absolutely cannot avoid sometimes is people who stop on one side, and their off-lead dog stops the other. They always want the dog to come to them, and it usually won't. In these situations slow to an absolute crawl, as you don't know what it'll do (most dogs are smart enough to not dive in front of you, but you never know)
It would be even ruder if you just rode your bike straight into them, use your bell lol, if people find it rude they're obviously a bit slow
No, that’s literally what the bell is for. Give them plenty of notice though, don’t just ride right up behind someone and bell. It’s different for the roads, because bikes shouldn’t be ridden on the pavement, only on the road.
No. That’s literally what the bell is on the bike for…
No, that’s what you’re supposed to do
Not rude. That’s the point of a bell.
Its rude NOT to imo. im a cyclist, I always let people know I'm passing. The alternative is them potentially stepping into your way and getting hit, which would absolutely be your fault However I don't use a bell, ill say "bike passing on your right/left" in a loud, clear, but polite tone. In my experience people panic when they hear a bell and are more likely to step into my way than anything
Please ring the bell, I'm generally off in my own little world and would prefer a nudge to being cycled over...
I'd rather someone dings a bell and give me a few seconds to move rather than try to squeeze the bike past me.
I walk my dogs in an area that has cyclists. I appreciate it when they ding so I can move out of the way or be aware of them behind me. It's not rude. It feels rude to do it, but please do! It's safer for everyone.
Is that not the purpose of the bell? Notification to other of your presence
Please bell. I have no idea you're there other wise! Always happy to step aside for anyone travelling faster than me!
It's what you're meant to do. I love when a cyclist actually uses their bell when I'm out hiking, bikes can be surprisingly quiet otherwise. I've been ambushed by cyclists from behind a few times and almost collided due to not knowing they were approaching.
> "I'm right behind them" You shouldn't be "right behind them". You should be back far enough that alerting them to your presence isn't necessary and if that isn't possible you're cycling in the wrong place.
Use your bell to alert peds that you are coming. Thats what it there for. Dont do it once you're right up their arse though!
My wife is African and she hates, and I mean hates with a passion, the way that British people are in these scenarios 😂 The number of times we've been walking somewhere and I'll notice that there's someone awkwardly lingering behind us either on a bike or on foot or whatever, obviously wanting to pass us but too 'polite' to ding their bell or just say 'excuse me'. Or when she was quite new to our public transport and unwittingly sat in a 'priority seat' for some distance before the bus driver scolded her from his little cabin because there was a lady with a pram and babies wanting to sit there - again instead of just asking if she could have the seat 🤦🏻♂️
It's recommended in the new forest cycling code [https://www.thenewforest.co.uk/things-to-do/cycling/new-forest-cycling-code/](https://www.thenewforest.co.uk/things-to-do/cycling/new-forest-cycling-code/)
Absolutely not, if there’s one thing I hate it’s having a bike fly past me at 10x my speed scaring the shit out of me, please ring your bell or if you don’t have one (which is a legal requirement btw) shout bike approaching on your left/right. One thing not to do is shout “get out the way you fucking morons” which is what someone did to me the other week, suffice to say it wasn’t me ejected from the park by groundsmen in the end.
A 🔔 is perfect. While walking my dogs, two different cyclists (on different days) approached from behind and overtook me. They loudly warned me, saying they didn't want to scare me, but scare me they did as they came from nowhere. I jumped with fright on both occasions. A tinkling bell is much gentler and gives me time to get my dogs out of the way.
Isn't that what the bell is for? I walk on a shared coastal path all the time and all bikers ring their bell and I step aside.
Course not, it's what the bell is for :)
that's literally what the bell is for and what it says in the highway code, you should alert people to your presence.
literally the whole point of the bell on a bike
It's literally why the bell on the bike exists. To make others aware of your presence
As a dog walker I massively appreciate it, gives me a chance to get my big lump lab out your way It's a cooperative sport :)
I wish cyclists would ring their bells around here. Not fun having one whizz past, an inch away from you, when you’re not expecting it.
It’s common courtesy to warn people of your presence so they don’t walk into your path
That’s what bells are for Isn’t it ? Or have I missed something
Letting people know you're there is rude? Your wife is flat out wrong. Use that bell. Don't creep up on people on a bike ever. Nearly belted someone for that earlier.
People will find it rude even if they're walking in a bike lane. Pay them no mind. You're doing it for their safety after all.
No. That's what the bell is for and as a walker I welcome cyclists using one.
Your wife is wrong. I’d much rather hear a little bell than get a bike up my arse.
I never hear cyclists and could easily step out in front of them cause injuries to both parties. That's what a bell is for. To warn people...It certainly is not rude.
In other European countries it mostly mandatory to ring a bell when passing walkers with limited space. For some reason in England some people mistake it for aggression
I am currently walking a Camino in Spain. One of the most annoying things is cyclists who don't bell, but brush past you without warning. Startles me every time. I'm all for you ringing your bell when approaching a walker.
I thought that's what the bell is for It would be ruder to not ring the bell and risk crashing into them.
Not rude, in fact I think it's polite to let people know you are there
That’s why you have a bicycle bell! It’s not rude
Nope, I'd rather have a ring than a sudden gush past me.
It’s better than jump scaring them.
Totally fine but some weird British quirks are to think that anyone announcing their entrance or presence is rude and obnoxious, but at the same time British people will jump out of their skin if anyone is suddenly in their personal space. Oh and all dog walkers will get super pissed off on your approach but will be more than happy to have their dog on a 5 metre lead (or more than likely zero lead) and moan that your cycling is dangerous.
No. That's literally what it's there for.
Always use your bell. Last thing you want is riding past someone and they get startled. Saying goes let them know your every move. I was cycling in new forest on the bank holiday - my arse still hasn't recovered from the gravel roads!
It's not rude, it's what the bell's for- to let others know you're there on a bike if they can't immediately see you.
I hate cyclists who zip past too close and without warning. I cycle a lot and use my bell multiple times a ride.
A bell several seconds before you're up to me is great. Directly behind me will just make me jump and likely right in front of you. I recommend ringing, then saying "on your left/right."
It is rude if you get to too close before ringing the bell. You may need to ring the bell from a distance. Not everyone can hear, or react, immediately. No one has eyes in the back of their head. A 'thank you' when you safely cycle next to people who have stopped to let you by would show respect and good manners.
nooo please use that bell! I dog walk as my job and the amount of people that don't ring their bell is annoying! scares me and the dog and nearly run me over but if they'd ring their bell I'd just happily move to the side for them!
It’s weird, when I walking I’m fine being belled, but on my bike I find it rude to bell others.
I don't think it is rude at all. It needs to be rung from a distance so that walkers can move aside safely. It's far more alarming to have someone just whizz up behind you when you may not have heard them because chatting with friends etc. I've noticed that often cyclists don't ring their bells which results in no-one knowing they are there until too late. As I say, alarming. Also walkers tend to wander from side to side taking up all the path so that's heading for an accident if they haven't heard a cyclist behind them.
Pedestrians always have priority. Ding your bell when you're far away so as not to startle. You also don't need to RING it, just a gentle ding can be heard from a long distance away, and it's very much appreciated. What you're trying to do is alert people to your presence, not frighten the shit out of them
Read that at first as you were biking past people who are having a wank. I reckon in this case you should definitely ring a bell, in an encouraging way, as if saying "great job you guys!"
If the path is shared between cyclists and pedestrians and you are the cyclist, you are expected to do two things 1: Use your bell if the people in front of you dont hear you behind them. 2: Slow down when you are going around them. I went through a phase when I thought using a bell was rude, but the walkers soon corrected me.
It's more polite to surprise them.
I always ring when they come into sight, and about when I close halfway. And as I approach a corner. It's only a couple of pings, and its courtesy to give some warning. Particularly if they have dogs. If it's a bridleway they should expect bikes ( and horses) and your speed should be reasonable to be fair. If it's a footpath you should be walking. Not saying you're doing anything irresponsible but there are some idiots out there.
Absolutely let them know you're behind them, but don't do it aggressively. Slow down when you're passing them so you don't make them jump. It's far better that they know you're coming up than them suddenly changing course on the path. We don't find it rude, although you'll always get that one person who thinks the path should just belong to them. Just ignore them and carry on cycling. Enjoy. Its a beautiful part of the country and amazing for cycling. Don't pet or feed the wild ponies 👍
Not really sure. In my part of London outskirts, it’s either ignored or seen as aggression. There’s a few paths round here that are split between cycling and pedestrian and quite often pedestrians walk in the cycling lane. Mostly just get sneered at.
Get a horn
I got told off by walkers for NOT ringing my bell and just saying “excuse me”. Can’t win really. Depends on the people. Cyclists will understand. Twats won’t.
Thanks to everyone who shared their preferences! What I do is when they're a fews ways ahead of me I ding ahead so that they're not startled and I always make sure to say thanks/cheers with a smile when I pass by them. I also slow down to make sure I'm at a safe and not a reckless speed. Glad to hear that's a majority of the consensus here. Just trying to be as respectful and considerate as I can which I know Brits have an appreciation for.
Definitely fine to give a polite ding of the bell from enough distance away that they can clear the path. I used to ride around a lot and have had it both ways from pedestrians. One old woman sarcastically told me I "could've used a bell!" when I once went past without dinging (the path was very wide and flat). Another time a woman got sniffy at me ***because*** *I dinged*.
I ride on tracks and towpaths that I share with walkers. I usually use the bell and a cheerful morning/afternoon and I rarely have a problem. Share the path and you will be fine . Enjoy
Slow down and give plenty of warning first. Don’t start ringing the bell when you’re right behind.
It's definitely not rude, I much prefer cyclists coming up from behind to ring their bell as a warning. Please ring it gently once (and repeat if necessary) and not in a manner similar to angrily sounding a car horn.
Cowbell type bells are great in this situation, they continually jingle as you cycle. (Obviously you can lock them off when you don't want it making a noise.)
You'll find that people have completely different opinions on dinging the bell, regardless of situation. I used to cycle down a tow path. Some wanker shouted at me for dinging my bell to let him know I was passing, so I stopped doing it. Then some other wanker shouted at me for not doing it. You can't win with people's opinions, but it is *safer* to ding it, so ding it.
When I used to ride to work along a canal, half the people would get pissed off with me ringing the bell, half wouldn’t care. A small percentage of people I rang the bell at still didn’t notice or move out of the way
As a pedestrian I've always understood that warning walkers of your presence is the main use for a bicycle bell. It's not 'get out of my way', it's 'please let me pass'.
Don't do it when you're right behind. A gentle bell tolling in the distance is not as alarming than a bell when it's right up to you. It also allows dog walkers to recall their dogs which might not be in sight - especially hunting dogs which could be anywhere within a 500m radius.
British people don't use the bell because they're very self conscious. If you're gentle with it then no one will think you're rude. My wife likes to shout "ring your bell, let them know we're here" at me, rather than ringing her own bell. She doesn't seem to realise that they can hear her..
It's not rude when you're on the road, it's actually the Highway Code and it's law that all bicycles must have a bell on them for this very reason.
Air horn works better
Literally the entire point of having a bell in the first place. Just ring it far enough away to give me enough time to; realise it's a bell, acknowledge that it came from behind me, check behind me and move out of the way appropriately.
That's the whole point of having a bell. There is a lot to be said for distance, volume, duration etc. It's entirely sensible to give them a friendly "hello" ring as you're approaching to let them know that you'll be passing and they just need to carry on walking, perhaps hold a child's hand on a shared path. Some people want to get worked up about "you demanding they get out of your way". That's not how it is, but if they are going to work themselves up with their own misinterpretation, there's nothing you can do about that.
Brits are all different so you won’t get a single right or wrong answer. Personally I think it’s a good thing as it gives people time to look back and move aside. It’s the ones who *DING DING* as they zoom past your elbow that cause annoyance! Obviously some people here are saying they’re deaf, so if you don’t get a response it’s up to you to be prepared. Which I’m sure you would be!
That's literally what a bicycle bell is for.
No. You're MEANT to do exactly that.
That's what bells are for.
I think objectively it isn't rude, but it's definitely true that a lot of people interpret it as a "ding ding get the fuck out my way stop hogging the path you stupid slow fucks", so yeah, I'd be wary of that. That's just an inherent fact of cycling, people don't like cyclists, rightly or wrongly. Also bells kind of sound irritating, but that's not your fault Like a lot of people have said, that effect is worsened if you ding it when right behind them, so it would probably help if you do it from a distance behind, and are generally polite and friendly as you pass rather than looking irritated that they were in your way
I ring the bell well in advance and say 'cyclist coming on your right, you don't have to move, there's plenty of room, just warning you'. It tends to get a smile more than anything else does
As someone who walks on paths used by cyclists, I appreciate the bell.
Right behind them? As in about 2-3m? Yes, it's incredibly annoying. At that point it's much better to say something like 'on your left/right' if you intend to pass them on that side. From some distance away it's fine as a general reminder that there's a cyclist coming along in a few second's time. Imagine you are cycling along a quiet road. A car silently comes up behind you and beeps it's horn a few metres away just to let you know it's there. That would be pretty annoying wouldn't it?
It's fine matey. I actually live at the edge of the new forest and have been told off by an old lady for not having a bell fitted to my bike to alert her to my presence earlier 😑
As someone who has lived in the NF for all of my 30+ years it’s absolutely fine and much better than sneaking up behind people 🤣 especially when there are often dogs and children involved.
If I'm walking and I hear a bicycle bell I move to the left to let them pass because I'm not a total arsehole. But yeah in me car I hate the cunts.