A Facebook group member posted an article about no-bell-price. I fully agree with the video posted about him following a person having mobility issue walking on a narrow path. However, a bicycle bell does have its purpose and use. LTA recommends that a cyclist should have a bell. So it does give cyclists a means of alerting others without using verbal alarm.
Before I continue, I will introduce three abbreviations.
1. "AS" - Alarm sound by just ringing the bell once as recommended by LTA.
2. "MS" - Muffed sound made by ringing the bell while holding to the bell so that it makes a clicking sound. This is my own recommendation.
3. "ES" - Emergency sound by continuously ringing the bell.
Basically a bell is for alerting others about pending danger between the bicycle and other users of the road or path. It is not for use by people who just want others to give way because he/she think that they have the right of way and want to zoom pass others.
The Facebook group member wants to show that we should be compassionate about people having mobility issues and thus are very slow and usually blocks the way when the path is narrow. For this, cyclists should just follow behind and let them take their time.
This also apply to parents bringing children who does not know the danger posed by others. Those parents who have kids with them should restrain their child so that cyclists can safely go pass them slowly.
Two person may be using a narrow path. It will be difficult to overtake them even on single file. Cyclist should be courteous enough to just follow behind them unless they give way. After all, they don't have to walk single file on a narrow path. Usually they will give way if they notice cyclist are behind without being alerted.
There are able bodied people who liked to walk in big groups. They will walk three or four person abreast so that they can chat among themselves. A wide path is not even enough for them to walk on. For these people, cyclist should use "MS" method to let them know others are using the path and is moving faster than them. Kindness Movement Singapore also suggest confronting errant people to let them know what is right and what is wrong. So "MS" is just to let them know that they are blocking others.
"MS" can be used to alert cyclists in front that you are behind them and possibly trying to overtake. A verbal "bike right" is usually more polite.
"AS" should be applied in advance if the path user swing widely left and right. This is especially true for those novice cyclist who just learned how to cycle. However, if the cyclist is really a novice, a "AS" should even make them more unstable. Apply it with caution.
"AS" can be applied to those who are crossing the path without looking out for cyclists. it cannot be applied to people crossing using the zebra.
For those brazen cyclist who just barge in and out without looking and posing potential accidents, This includes cycling overtaking on opposite path encroaching on your path. "ES" should be used. It should be used sparingly unless it is really a high chance of accidents. Be aware that "ES" may cause irritation to them and is a potential cause of highly charged dialog.
In conclusion, a bell is used to alert others. It is not for you to make others give way to you because you want to cycle fast. A shared path is for all to use and they have the rights to use it. Unless they abuse their rights while ignoring other users, Cyclist should not use bells to cause irritation.
