Safety - not mine

[c53204]

My running/Cycling ratio for 25yrs has been 80/20% (in favour of running). Now approaching 60, I have reversed this.

I thought I would do the responsible thing and buy a bell - as I do most of my cycling on shared cycle/footpaths. I've been 'dingling' my bell for a few days now and had no response from anyone walking. Turns out, they have all had earphones in!

I never used earphones when running - as I consider it dangerous. I just hope none of the people I pass have an heart attack.

[John Holiday]

Are you using a 'pinger'?
What you really need is a sturdy Dutch type 'ding/dong' which I have found effective at 50m. & penetrates even those walkers with headphones on!
Most of my bikes have this type & have found them very effective, & frequently elicit favourable comment from people one is passing.
So much more civilised than a shout!

[661-Pete]

There's no simple solution.

Airzound: definitely no. Their intent is to frighten motorists, not pedestrians.

I once thought I'd given a pedestrian a heart attack. He was blithely jogging along the centre of a narrow country lane, oblivious to all else, not wearing headphones as far as I could see. I slowed my pace to his, a few feet behind him, and gave him what I thought was a very polite and quiet "excuse me". His reaction was as if I'd set off a bomb or something. Sometimes you can't tell....

[c53204]

Using a 'pinger' type at the moment £2.

Any recommendations, feel free to let me know. I'll try the dutch type.

[TonyR]

Using a 'pinger' type at the moment £2.

Any recommendations, feel free to let me know. I'll try the dutch type.

I'd agree. Pingers are next to useless IME. You need either the dutch type or a good old fashioned British ring-ring bell. Its more recognisable as a bike bell and you can just keep ringing it until they do notice. The only downside is its a standard ringtone so some people look at their phone when they hear it rather than looking for a bike.

[mjr]

British ring ring bells are variously sold as rotary or classic bells. Wilko was selling an I love my bike one for under £2 but it's now marked on their website as discontinued. It's lovely and loud. Halfords sell what looks like the same thing for £5.

I do have a pinger on one bike. I find I have to ring it two or three times at a time for it to be recognised.

[ArMoRothair]

What you really need is a sturdy Dutch type 'ding/dong' which I have found effective at 50m. & penetrates even those walkers with headphones on!
Most of my bikes have this type & have found them very effective, & frequently elicit favourable comment from people one is passing.
So much more civilised than a shout!

I ride regularly with a chap who uses one of these. I must get one because you are right, it frequently elicits favourable comments and smiles. Something about its happy dual-tone is unthreatening.

[Psamathe]

... So much more civilised than a shout!

I think it depends on what you shout. I never use my (useless) bell and when necessary always shout. But shouting something pleasant has never caused a bad reaction and often gets smiles and hellos, etc. A question of manner rather than what you use to alert people.

Ian

[MartinC]

.........................it depends on what you shout.............................

Exactly. You can either shout a pleasant greeting or shout get out of the way. With a bell you depend on how someone else interprets it. In my experience it can be either.

[Flinders]

What you really need is a sturdy Dutch type 'ding/dong' which I have found effective at 50m. & penetrates even those walkers with headphones on!
Most of my bikes have this type & have found them very effective, & frequently elicit favourable comment from people one is passing.
So much more civilised than a shout!

I ride regularly with a chap who uses one of these. I must get one because you are right, it frequently elicits favourable comments and smiles. Something about its happy dual-tone is unthreatening.

Where do you get those?

[pyruse]

I have two pingers (one on each handlebar). They give different tones, so pinging left then right gives a nice 'ding-dong'

[ArMoRothair]

Where do you get those?

A quick Google reveals:- http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Traditional-D ... 0617385618

[Postboxer]

If you had a really long handlebar....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMyfN5D0s2k

[mjr]

Where do you get those?

Vavert and Oxford both make ding-dong clones, so they should be available (might need to order in, though) through loads of Local Bike Shops. Here they are at the famous SJS: http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/vavert-ding- ... prod30591/ http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/oxford-oxfor ... prod23711/

Or import a genuine one from Mr Hembrow in the Netherlands at http://www.dutchbikebits.com/index.php? ... uct_id=114

[LondonBikeCommuter]

Are you using a 'pinger'?
What you really need is a sturdy Dutch type 'ding/dong'

I've got a 'pinger' bell and have no problem being heard. Bit of a novelty purchase but looks top notch and does the business.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/13 ... in-the-usa