Safety call for bells on bicycle

Classic Ringer, Ding Dong and Crane Suzy. These are exotic names for a simple but effective cycle device that could help ease simmering tension on shared walkways around Tauranga.

They're all bicycle bells – and Kathy Fathers of Otumoetai wants to know why bicycled bells are not tolling. 'Weren't bicycle bells compulsory on bicycles?” she asks.

The only bells ringing are alarm bells, after reports of clashes and close calls between pedestrians and cyclists on the Daisy Harwick/Waikareao Estuary walkway and the Kulim Park walkway.

Like Doreen Holm's brush with a 'fast careless cyclist” last week.

The 80-plus year-old was 'narrowly missed by a woman cyclist”. 'The result of a collision at my advanced rickety age could have been catastrophic.”

It's an all too regular occurrence, she complains.

'It would only take half a step the wrong way and it would be all over.”

So who's at fault? Who is the menace on the walkways? The foot traffic would say the problem is cyclists coming silently from behind and 'spooking” joggers and pedestrians.

And throw in speed, arrogance and rudeness when their behaviour is questioned.

The reporter was jogging down the narrow Takatimu Drive pathway early last Sunday morning when a guy on a mountain bike came steaming towards him.

The cyclist stuck to his line and speed – you could see it in his eyes – no way was he going to slow down or give way – so I had to stop and make way.

Another runner and another run-in.

I thought a ‘good morning' and a little consideration would have gone a long way. And when I yelled out to him, he questioned my parentage. Lovely!

Cyclists, on the other hand, point to walkers 'controlling” the walkways – several abreast so there are no lanes to pass.

'Certainly there are rogue cyclists who make us all look bad. But often there's no way round,” says cyclist Kyle Hayward, who's also manager of Ride Bikes in Cameron Rd.

'We're approaching a lot faster than they're walking – they don't like it. They get a bit freaked.”

Often they're listening to music on iPods and don't hear cyclists approaching.

So what about the bicycle bell? Simple, cheerful, hardly aggressive and a better idea has yet to be invented.

Bicycle bells control the shared river walkways around Brisbane – keep left and sound your bell as numerous signs suggests.

Cyclists, pedestrians and joggers peacefully co-exist without accident or incident.

Not in Tauranga though.

'Not cool – doesn't fit into the image,” says Kyle.

'Bells come in the boxes with bikes and we attach them to the lower-end bikes. They're the bikes you're likely to see on the walkways. But mountain bikers – probably not.”

Bicycle bells aren't always part of the equation. 'If some guy's buying a $5000 road bike, bells aren't a consideration. If it's a middle-aged lady buying a ‘comfort bike' we'd discuss whether she wants a bell.”

Dave Manville of Bells and Whistles – a cycle accessory outfit in Mount Maunganui – believes it's a requirement for bikes to be landed in this country with a bell – but it's not a requirement to use one.

'However, it just makes simple sense to have one.”

Again he points to the image. 'Guys don't want their bikes cluttered; and bells don't look cool.”

That annoys bicycle bell advocate Kathy.

'Well it's about bloody time it was cool.”

There are ‘micro-bells', tiny bells, perfect for road bikes, but there's consumer resistance.

Dave says there's three different cyclists with different attitudes. The road cyclist and mountain-biker. 'They don't think need a bell and there's no room for one.”

The general commuter cyclist. 'They have a practical bell.”

And the cruiser cyclist. 'They ride down the road for coffee and have bells that look good and match their bikes.”

Doreen's walkway experience didn't end with the scrape with a cyclist however.

'Later, from behind us, came the sweet sound of a little bell. A small helmeted child on his bike pedalled along ringing his bell. It was no way intrusive, but gave us a definite warning.”

She says if a child can learn how to use a communal path safely, 'adults could try too”.

There's no legal requirement for bells to be fitted to bicycles, however there is agreement about the need for consideration...goodwill and understanding, creating space and a bell would all help for happy, healthy shared walkways.

However, the market tells us Tauranga cyclists aren't lining up to buy bells.

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9 comments

WALKWAYS NOT CYCLEWAYS

Posted on 01-02-2015 08:35 | By whatsinaname

Daisy Harwick/Waikareao Estuary walkway and the Kulim Park walkway.... for walking and NOT riding bikes like around the mount. There should be NO bies on the walkway. its not wide enuff.


common courtesy

Posted on 01-02-2015 09:39 | By Calm Gully

I had a lady ring her bike bell the other day AND smile as she passed! BUT that doesn't happen much. Walkers are just as bad, very few keep left and go single file (if required when passing) Most paths seem to be ONE WAY (whichever way rude people are going). Prams are great around the Mt BUT single file PLEASE when there are people coming the other way! Bells on bikes are a great idea, and SMILE. Biking and walking is fun! :)


seesee

Posted on 01-02-2015 13:09 | By SeeSee

Yes, bells would most likely be handy for those without hearing problems, but, what about those who do have hearing problems, and then get abused because they did not hear them coming.


Shared cycle/walkways

Posted on 01-02-2015 14:23 | By savemejeebus

I commute to work daily on shared walk/cycle way and have a bell on my bike, in general the walking public tend to keep left and Most of them are great when I ring my bell and they move to the left as I pass by with a thank you. More signage along walk/cycle ways that denote this is dual use 2 way and to keep left would help solve the issue.


Shared cycle/walkways

Posted on 01-02-2015 14:49 | By savemejeebus

I commute to work daily on shared walk/cycle way and have a bell on my bike, in general the walking public tend to keep left and Most of them are great when I ring my bell and they move to the left as I pass by with a thank you. More signage along walk/cycle ways that denote this is dual use 2 way and to keep left would help solve the issue.


heres an answer to the problem

Posted on 01-02-2015 16:28 | By s83cruiser

all bikes should be fitted with a 2inch wide strip of ice cream container lid strapped to the forks on the bike and running in the spokes. That way they will produce a continual warning of their approach and they wont have a sissy bell on their MANLY mountain bike.:-)


Lats all Share

Posted on 01-02-2015 18:04 | By Snapper Bait

I ride a shared Walkway / cycleway daily. Most Cyclists say "on your right" as they pass you from behind. Seems courteous enough to me. Some walkers/ joggers wear small headphones and they do not always hear you. Some people walking dogs don't have them on a leash but all the dogs i come across are just out getting a bit of exercise too and their owners seem considerate enough.Come on people we are all out there doing a bit of relaxing exercise, Chill out, Pretty much if everyone stays LEFT there is no problem. Relax, enjoy, chill out its beautiful out there.


Bells & Whistles

Posted on 01-02-2015 19:20 | By LyricalSoul

Understand this ladies frustration & I am a bike rider, I do not have a bell & no they do not come with the bike when you purchase it, it is an added extra expense, however I always give people plenty of warning & I do say either good morning or coming through in which most people are so appreciative of, in some cases people are listening to music & they do not hear you coming, & I do think it is up to the cyclist to have more consideration for others & stop & wait!


BELLS SHOULD BE COOL!

Posted on 02-02-2015 08:37 | By nerak

They should be a legal requirement on ALL bikes, to be USED! The strong theme coming through in this article is, sadly once again, that most bikers appear to think they own either the road or walkway. That's sheer arrogance, something mentioned many times in the debates concerning cyclists. And certainly not helped by the attitude coming from some bike shop owners, bit of snobbery/age discrimination there? Why should walkers have to constantly twirl while walking, to ensure they can dodge a selfish cyclist? How do some of these cyclists drive a car? There's adequate room on the walkways mentioned for both cyclists and walkers, all it needs is courtesy from both. Oh for a return to the days of good manners, and respect for one another. One day, a lot of today's cyclists will be old... Cycle debate is much like the dog debate, emotive, and arguments often selfish


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