Omg it’s mind blowing how thick some people are that when you ring your bell just turn a blind eye and don’t move , or even people walking towards you and think your in the wrong
Ramblers said:Cyclists have the right to use bridleways (subject to giving way to other users), cycle tracks, restricted byways and byways open to all traffic.
Slow down, relax, and humour the muppets. And breathe.
What's the Australian technique for getting other people to be aware of you?It blows my mind that people think they can ring a bell at a complete stranger . To get them to move . Here in Australia cyclists are generally looked down on for being rude bell ringers
It blows my mind that people think they can ring a bell at a complete stranger . To get them to move . Here in Australia cyclists are generally looked down on for being rude bell ringers
www.gov.uk said:Rule 66. be considerate of other road users, particularly blind and partially sighted pedestrians, and horse riders (see Rule H1). Let them know you are there when necessary, for example, by calling out or ringing your bell if you have one. It is recommended that a bell be fitted.
Depends on the walker. Sometimes I try too say politely behind u !! . Some people I just zoom past on the grass. I slow down for dogs and kids . Some people can't hear anything anyway . And get terrified regardless of what I do .What's the Australian technique for getting other people to be aware of you?
As someone who has been riding 2 wheels for 60+ years I have been fortunate to be on both sides of this phenomena. Today as a rider on a trail who is approaching a pedestrian from behind the best approach is to ring your bell then announce "PASSIN LEFT" be prepared to slow down and swerve to avoid hitting them, And remember They may alsoOmg it’s mind blowing how thick some people are that when you ring your bell just turn a blind eye and don’t move , or even people walking towards you and think your in the wrong
Here in the UK, I started off without a bell because it felt rude, but then people started yelling "get a bell!"It blows my mind that people think they can ring a bell at a complete stranger . To get them to move . Here in Australia cyclists are generally looked down on for being rude bell ringers
My experience on my regular ride, which is a mixed use public park with natural surface trails, is that walkers either respond positively to my Timber bell ("Thanks for the bell!") or they don't react at all. When I started riding there a few years ago, I would call out "on your left" as I rode up behind them, but most people would move left. Now I just call out "bicycle", which works about 98% of the time. People move to the right (I'm in the US, so "keep right except to pass").But bells seem to upset more people than no bell.
Indeed, but I still get the occasional wally have a go at me for not ringing it - Usually the ones who are all over the path and not paying attention.It blows my mind that people think they can ring a bell at a complete stranger . To get them to move . Here in Australia cyclists are generally looked down on for being rude bell ringers
When I had a bell, I very soon learned to start ringing it 100 yards away. It was surprising how close I could get before I got a reaction. Too many times the reaction was startlement, accusing looks and accusations of going too fast, being a boy racer (me! I'm 71 and with a white beard), or even "you shouldn't be riding a bike here!" When the bell broke (don't buy the cheap Oi! bell, get the more expensive one), I didn't replace and I haven't missed it.Having a super loud Shimano cassette has its advantages.
Also, it's amazing to me that anyone could find a bell to be rude.
This!My experience on my regular ride, which is a mixed use public park with natural surface trails, is that walkers either respond positively to my Timber bell ("Thanks for the bell!") or they don't react at all. When I started riding there a few years ago, I would call out "on your left" as I rode up behind them, but most people would move left. Now I just call out "bicycle", which works about 98% of the time. People move to the right (I'm in the US, so "keep right except to pass").
I also have a bushy white beard, which may defuse people who want to rant at a thoughtless teenager, but then see an old geezer.
My big complaint is that my town refuses to ticket people who park in bike lanes. I have contacted the local police and local town officials, but nothing gets done.
View attachment 103791
You need Cycling Mikey!!!!My experience on my regular ride, which is a mixed use public park with natural surface trails, is that walkers either respond positively to my Timber bell ("Thanks for the bell!") or they don't react at all. When I started riding there a few years ago, I would call out "on your left" as I rode up behind them, but most people would move left. Now I just call out "bicycle", which works about 98% of the time. People move to the right (I'm in the US, so "keep right except to pass").
I also have a bushy white beard, which may defuse people who want to rant at a thoughtless teenager, but then see an old geezer.
My big complaint is that my town refuses to ticket people who park in bike lanes. I have contacted the local police and local town officials, but nothing gets done.
View attachment 103791
That dick is a bad front man for cyclingYou need Cycling Mikey!!!!
CyclingMikey
Life on the road from a helmet camera. Sometimes interesting, sometimes scary, but almost always fun. I'm a driver too, I love cars, but I don't like dangerous driving and people taking risks with vulnerable road users. Someone has to stand up against the endemic road crime on our public...www.youtube.com
A mate of mine (R.I.P.) was cycling with his dog and met a big guy walking up the trail with three Dobermans. At the time, my mate was in his mid 60's and looked older because he was recovering from his third bout of cancer. The big guy knocked him off his bike and while he was on the floor the Dobermans set about his dog.Whats even worse is the dog walkers who use the Bike Tracks to walk their dogs on, nothing worse than racing down a trail to be confronted by a dog walker who doesnt want to get out of the way
I have one bike with a bell on it, but i never ring it, i feell like a total karen if i do. I used to have one of those kids squeaky toy things you see in bike shops, but it used to really make people jump (though most people found it funny after the jumpscare), so i stopped using it, and now just try to be patient. i do do my old tactic of slamming on the brakes, if i feel they are being particularly selfish.Here in the UK, I started off without a bell because it felt rude, but then people started yelling "get a bell!"
So, after calling out, coughing, using the rattle from the sexy rear hub, all without much success, I bought a bell. Only for people to jump like hell and get irritated.
The lesson I learned is that no matter what you do, some people just don't like anyone else on the trail. Excessive politeness and a white beard work, especially at this time of year!
But bells seem to upset more people than no bell.
At rush hour here where i live, i often ride on roads with traffic at a standstill, with 100s of m of empty painted bike lane along the side, but there is always one asshole who feels the need to drift into the bike lane, and block it. its really the same mindset with peds in bike lanes, they just don't think it's right!!!My experience on my regular ride, which is a mixed use public park with natural surface trails, is that walkers either respond positively to my Timber bell ("Thanks for the bell!") or they don't react at all. When I started riding there a few years ago, I would call out "on your left" as I rode up behind them, but most people would move left. Now I just call out "bicycle", which works about 98% of the time. People move to the right (I'm in the US, so "keep right except to pass").
I also have a bushy white beard, which may defuse people who want to rant at a thoughtless teenager, but then see an old geezer.
My big complaint is that my town refuses to ticket people who park in bike lanes. I have contacted the local police and local town officials, but nothing gets done.
View attachment 103791
I have one bike with a bell on it, but i never ring it, i feell like a total karen if i do. I used to have one of those kids squeaky toy things you see in bike shops, but it used to really make people jump (though most people found it funny after the jumpscare), so i stopped using it, and now just try to be patient. i do do my old tactic of slamming on the brakes, if i feel they are being particularly selfish.
The World's largest electric mountain bike community.