Aventine Willie made an interesting observation about bicycle bells, in response to my last blog. Or, more precisely, he raised the issue of why we don’t use them even though our bikes are sold with them.
They comform to some EU rule or other, but invariably remain in the clear plastic bag that comes with the manufacturer’s handbook. This has led me to the following questions:
If we don’t have a working bicycle bell, and we manage to hit someome, are we liable? And would our insurance policies cover us?
Why don’t we use them? Delete as appropriate from the following list –
- they look uncool
- they’re heavy, and I’m a weight weenie
- they scratch my precious handlebars
- they don’t stop walkers stepping out in front of us
- they make an annoying rattling about noise.
Personally, I don’t use one for the following reasons:
I have Hope Pro 2 hubs, and merely freewheeling, as I approach someone else on the trail, warns them of my imminent arrival; I generally slow down when I see walkers and horse riders, especially if I’m approaching from behind, and cough loudly or say ‘cyclist approaching;’ sometimes, I also stop and have a chim wag with them as well, to reasure them that I’m not about to run them down!
The solution? I’m not sure, but I think we could have a lively debate about it, so over to you…