This isn’t to start a debate about whether bells should be compulsory but, just to relate a few humorous tales from when cycling bells where compulsory in British Time Trials.
In the 1950s, and 60s, British Time Trialling dominated British cycling, it also had a curious legacy of rules and regulations. One of these was that each competitor must start the race with a working bell. Somebody would be checking at the start, if your bell didn’t work – sorry no race. Pre race, I often chat to the legendary, John Woodburn (71 and still going strong), it doesn’t take much for him to get started on how much he hated this rule. John said he went through a period of buying really cheap bells, and after the first corner he would throw them into a ditch. (you didn’t have to finish with a bell, you just had to start with a bell!). Next season, I will try get an interview with John, as he had numerous stories to tell!
In the 1970s, the great time triallist Alf Engers started a fashion for drilling holes in equipment to save weight. Alf would turn up for races with handlebars, brake levers and gear sticks drilled like swiss cheese. Anyway many aspiring cyclists would emulate the great Alf (BTW: I really doubt drilling holes in equipment makes any difference to your time in a flat time trial) Anyway there was one cyclist who drilled so many holes in his metal bell that when it was checked at the start it wouldn’t make any sound. So with his holey bell, the time triallist had to forego his race. He was so annoyed that at the next race, he came to start line with seemingly no bell. But, actually he had strapped a huge bell hidden under his saddle, just to make some point. After checking this rather unusual bell, he was allowed to start.
I have to say a bell is a really great addition to my commuting bike, I use it all the time, especially when on bike paths. However, when a juggernaut cuts you up on a dual carriageway, I somehow feel that tinking a little metal bell, is hardly going to help.
I dont have a bell on my bike but I know 2 people who cycle competitively and they swear by bells on bikes. they say it is a must!!