The sound is inherently friendly and it’s almost impossible to ring a bicycle bell in anger in the way that drivers use their car horns, so perhaps it shouldn’t come as a surprise to learn of a bicycle speaker that records and plays any message to warn others of your presence.
The £16, handlebar-mounted speaker announces “on your left” at the press of a button, but can record and then play any verbal warning, unusual sound or string of expletives.
The 44mm speaker plays the sound of a traditional bell or the message of your choice at 80 decibels, which is about the same as a moderately loud shout.
Why don’t cyclists use bells anymore?
Many still do, and if you cycle on tracks and paths shared with others they are a polite way of announcing your approach, especially if followed with a verbal greeting and request to pass.
The trouble is that the bicycle bell is a much under-valued accessory; although it is a legal requirement that bicycle start their lives with one fitted, the fashion is for them to be quickly removed.
Perhaps one reason for the absence of the bicycle bell on so many handlebars is that the sound doesn’t carry particularly well in traffic. It’s the reason that urban cyclists tend to shout warnings and bike couriers sometimes carry whistles.
Cycle insurance
Every cycle insurance policy from the ETA includes new-for-old replacement if your bike is stolen, cover for accidental damage (race events included), third party insurance (in the case of an accident you may need to seek compensation or even deal with a claim by someone else), personal accident cover and if you breakdown, we will even come out and recover you and your bike. From 33p per week.
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