Last bit of bell chat, we promise!

We received the following email earlier today, which attempted to place the debate over bell use by cyclists in a rural, horsey context:

The problem with bells is that they are harsh and received as aggressive i.e. 'get out of my way'.

There is the very real problem, in rural areas, that the sudden and unexpected sound of a bell from behind startles horses with potentially serious implications.

Far better, in most circumstances is a gentle, friendly 'Hi', well in advance, and repeated slightly more loudly as required. In the case of horses it is unfamiliar sounds from the blind areas to their rear that is most problematic, so keep making gentle conversation as you pass carefully alongside until the horse can see you.

If you are having to do this often enough that it becomes a pain, maybe you are in the wrong place for bikes.

Some sage and sensible advice concerning behaviour around horses on the road, for sure, and to which I imagine most rural cyclists adhere.

However – just playing Devil’s Advocate here – I wonder how his ‘if you use your bell too much, you’re in the wrong place for cycling’ line would work if applied to motorists and car horns? Just a thought…

https://road.cc/content/news/cycling-live-blog-10-march-2022-290953#live-blog-item-32417