Ding-A-Ling

[GordonG]

Here's a couple of questions for as many people as care to answer. In Queensland, we are required to have a bell on any bike ridden on the road. My questions are:

1. Does your bike (if you ride it on the road) have a bell?

2. Do you use it?

My answers are No to both. I don't have a bell on my bike, although it's 100% legal in every other particular. Why don't I? Because they are too fragile, too big, and useless. Why wouldn't I use one? Because, in my experience, any time you ring a bell to warn a pedestrian of your presence, they either (a) stop dead (always in the middle of the pathway!) and turn round to see what the noise is, or (b) ignore you completely. Of course, there's always the possibility that they will turn around and abuse you while also blocking the pathway...

Using a bell to warn motorists is absurd. Most of them will never hear you - the windows are all closed (up here in the tropics, anyway - the aircon is on 365 days a year), the radio is on, and they don't particularly care anyway.

I would possibly fit a bell to my bike if it was no bigger than a 10c piece in diameter and 1cm high, just to be legal and save the fine. Would I use it? Nope...

Your thoughts?

[luke.b]

that sucks. be a rebel and don't use one. fight the power. Its just like at some bike shops, they have reflectores on the DH bikes, just plain dumb

[MikeT]

its just saftey regulations bike shops have to put them on. Though we take the reflectors and bells of if the bikes worth over a grand, and just put them in the owners manual bag.

[fat_tyre_nick]

on the subject of bells
Ages ago when i had a bell on my bike i rung my bell when i was passing a lady. She the chucked a spaz at me telling me to be more carefull.
I then later passed that women again about 30 minutes later and i passed her axactly the same way as before and she told me to ring my bell? wtf?

[zids]

bells do not help, in most cases people do not realise a cyclist is ringing it anyway, especially on blind corners. I remember my hardcore riding days as an 8 yr old, riding like a madman around the school across the road, if i didnt need a bell then, i dont need one now!

[donkay]

I have a Bell on my XC bike (i use it to commute to school or around places as there's a low chance that it can be damaged) anyway.... I flick my bell quite often to get around (as a regular rider/non mad man style) and people don't notice as well...again, they either pause, or go agro (but about 7/10 they cooperate quite well)

Whereas...on my TRIALS bike :) as i use a 'grind' on my rim, friction rubs alot on my pads resulting that 'HOOOOOT' sound (it's like...adding water on rotors, instead of a high pitch sound, it's one of those low ones) and yeah, works a treat as a bell, but wears out my pads lol

[Dane]

I don't have a bell on my bike, although it's 100% legal in every other particular.
Just curious if you have reflecters.


Its just like at some bike shops, they have reflectores on the DH bikes, just plain dumb
Whats dumber? Complying to the law when you have plenty at stake (ie. a business) or selling un-roadworthy bikes (although some would argue huffy/etc do this anyway) to make 'DH Maniac's think your cool.

[t]

i'v taken to yelling "ding" particularly at old ppl walking their dogs.

The law actually states that you must have "an audible warning device"... so if you concider yourself to be an audible warning device (i know i do) then you'r all legal.

[GordonG]

Just curious if you have reflecters.

I removed the reflectors and replaced them with reflective tape down both sides of the frame and also on the back of my lid. Also have front and rear flashing LED lights and a headlight - a lot of my riding is in the dark and I like to be seen by whoever is about to run me over...

[fscsar]

I removed the reflectors and replaced them with reflective tape down both sides of the frame and also on the back of my lid. Also have front and rear flashing LED lights and a headlight - a lot of my riding is in the dark and I like to be seen by whoever is about to run me over...

Not exactly 100% legal then.

Reflectors are required as per when it was released and that includes the dodgy cheap pedals and relfectors. Lights displayed at the front and the rear must be solid, flashing LED's are not classed as a light.

I am not saying the law is correct as the flshing LED's are extremely effective and you will probably find the reflective tape is just as good if not better then the reflectors. It is the same as your orignal post the law states you must have a suitable warning device and without it you are braking the law.

Worse case scenario in Qld you cop a couple of $10 tickets or you end up in a prang and you are not at fault but your third party claim is reduced for your non compliance with legislation therefore contributing to your own injuries. If you ride on the road for your own safety and our current society it is worth complying.

Not preaching just stating a few facts oh and my bike doesn't have all that it should but I only ride it off road.

[Rik]

I used to use a Honka Hoota on my bikes, it was mounted facing backwards, and every time my gears/chain slipped I'd smash it with my knee... sorta embarassing, painful and funny all rolled in to one move. When I build up my next supercommuter I'll be putting another Honka on it, and I might even consider putting one on the DH rig when it's build :confused:

[chips_with_everything]

Seems to be the tool of choice for getting thru a walkman.

Bell is hopeless.

Brake squeal is good.




Been wondering if my Air Zound can be converted to deliver pellets as well.

[alchemist]

Not exactly 100% legal then.

Reflectors are required as per when it was released and that includes the dodgy cheap pedals and relfectors. Lights displayed at the front and the rear must be solid, flashing LED's are not classed as a light.



Where does this come from fscar?

Here is Rule 259 of the Australian Road Rules

259 Riding at night
The rider of a [/url]bicycle (http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/disp.pl/au/legis/qld/consol%5freg/toumrr1999629/s259.html?query=bicycle#disp0) or powered wheeled recreational device must not ride at night, or in hazardous weather conditions causing reduced visibility, unless the bicycle (http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/disp.pl/au/legis/qld/consol%5freg/toumrr1999629/s259.html?query=bicycle#disp1) or device, or the rider, displays--

(a) a flashing or steady white light that is clearly visible for at least 200 m from the front of the bicycle (http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/disp.pl/au/legis/qld/consol%5freg/toumrr1999629/s259.html?query=bicycle#disp2) or device; and (b) a flashing or steady red light that is clearly visible for at least 200 m from the rear of the bicycle (http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/disp.pl/au/legis/qld/consol%5freg/toumrr1999629/s259.html?query=bicycle#disp3) or device; and (c) a red reflector that is clearly visible for at least 50 m from the rear of the bicycle[url="http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/disp.pl/au/legis/qld/consol%5freg/toumrr1999629/s259.html?query=bicycle#disp6"] (http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/disp.pl/au/legis/qld/consol%5freg/toumrr1999629/s259.html?query=bicycle#disp4) or device when light is projected onto it by a vehicle's headlight on low-beam.

Both steady & flashing lights are permited, and can be attached to the bike or the rider.

[mattyd]

Footy card in the spokes like the good old days. Braaaap.

Or some Spokey Dokeys.

[Rik]

What about TurboSpoke?

[Carlin]

Plaz pads + HS33 + Ceramic rim = :eek:

I could make small kids cry, wake up all of the dogs in a 2 km radius, and cause small landslides with that setup ;)

[fscsar]

Here is Rule 259 of the Australian Road Rules

Amended since I last checked, I was not aware that the LED flashers had been permitted, thankyou. I participated in a safety summit with transport originally on wether they should be allowed in and a number of other modifications they were going to make but that was about 4 years ago. It was an uphill battle to change anything last time I sat in one of their boardrooms. Lots of consultation and surveys but no action.

I love how they say 200 m yet the (last time I checked) the requirement for a vehicles tail lights was only 70 metres.

[ride_hard199]

Plaz pads + HS33 + Ceramic rim = :eek:
I could make small kids cry, wake up all of the dogs in a 2 km radius, and cause small landslides with that setup


makes me want a trials bike ;)

[scottmeister]

I just scream loudly 0.01 seconds before my handlebars nearly clip the person I'm going past. Once some old lady gave me some cheek, so I broke her hip and put her finger in my spinning disc rotor.

[tu plang]

Plaz pads + HS33 + Ceramic rim = :eek:

I could make small kids cry, wake up all of the dogs in a 2 km radius, and cause small landslides with that setup ;)

if my rims are clean, my spanish flies make an unholy scream. i'll see u small kids, dogs and landslides and raise you a crying rider - and i love loud brakes. these are just scary at speed.

...yeah you warn pedestrians and they do the crab dance, much easier to leave them ignorant to your presence and go around them.

[wtr]

Plaz pads + HS33 + Ceramic rim = :eek:

Your funny, I run that setup...


























NOT!! Hahaha, but that was funny.:D

[GordonG]

Reflectors are required as per when it was released and that includes the dodgy cheap pedals and relfectors. Lights displayed at the front and the rear must be solid, flashing LED's are not classed as a light.

Alchemist has already clarified the LED bit, and advice from the local police is that reflective tape constitutes a reflector as required by the law. Since they are the ones who would book me, I'm happy to take their word for it :)

[thecat]

Here's a couple of questions for as many people as care to answer. In Queensland, we are required to have a bell on any bike ridden on the road.


The Ausie road rules state you need a warning device, Bell or Horn (Or loud, obnoctious voice?) and front and rear reflecters to ride on road. I seem to recall something about wheel and pedal reflecters too.