Brakes affected by new bell law.

[Simon Mason]

According to our local rag, the new bell law also includes
mandatory checking of brakes.

See http://www.simonmason.karoo.net/zbell.htm

Simon M.

[Tony Raven]

Simon Mason wrote:
> According to our local rag, the new bell law also includes
> mandatory checking of brakes.
>
> See http://www.simonmason.karoo.net/zbell.htm
>

Interesting quote "Anything that helps improve safety for
cyclists, pedestrians and other road users has to be a good
thing" which begs the question if he thinks its such a good
thing, why did he wait for it to become compulsory before he
started fitting them.

Also seems to have wasted his time fitting all those bells
while offering a choice. The law allows him to only fit the
bell at the time of sale which would enable the customer to
have the bell of their choice fitted. Seems he'll be needing
his electric screwdriver to take all those bells off for
replacement by the customer's choice.

Incidentally it has been illegal for a long time to ride a
bike without two working brakes so the new law just requires
them to sell a bike that is legal in that respect.

Tony

[Just Zis Guy]

On Sat, 1 May 2004 16:15:00 +0100, "Tony Raven"
<junk@raven-family.com> wrote in message
<c70etq$ginih$1@ID-178940.news.uni-berlin.de>:

>Incidentally it has been illegal for a long time to ride a
>bike without two working brakes so the new law just
>requires them to sell a bike that is legal in that respect.

Quite. I am at a loss to understand what they are trying to
regulate with that last bit; any shop which sells defective
goods is liable under the Sale of Goods Act, after all.

I am not big on bells. I am usually too busy braking to
ring one; my voice works without removing either hand from
the brakes.

--
Guy
===
May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after
posting. http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk (http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk/)

88% of helmet statistics are made up, 65% of them at
Washington University

[Simon Mason]

"Tony Raven" <junk@raven-family.com> wrote in message
news:c70etq$ginih$1@ID-
> Incidentally it has been illegal for a long time to ride a
> bike without
two
> working brakes so the new law just requires them to sell a
> bike that is
legal
> in that respect.

I was stunned to read that primary school children are
taught how to service their own brakes !
--
Simon M.

[Simon Brooke]

in message <36j7901om1il5gccronia73qsrt7sum20b@4ax.com>, Just zis Guy,
you know? ('outlook.bugs@microsoft.com') wrote:

> I am not big on bells. I am usually too busy braking to
> ring one; my voice works without removing either hand from
> the brakes.

A bike bell is distinctive and, if not overused,
unaggressive. On a shared pedestrian/cycle path a polite
'ting' is a good indication that a bike is coming through,
and generally does not offend. I don't see much point in a
bell on a road bike, as most other road users are shut up in
sound-proof boxes and would not hear it anyway; but I have
one on my hill bike.

--
simon@jasmine.org.uk (Simon Brooke)
http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/ /-\ You have discovered a
security flaw in a Microsoft product. You
|-| can report this issue to our security tesm. Would
|you like to
| | * Be completely ignored (default)?
| | * Receive a form email full of platitudes about how
| | much we care?
\_/ * Spend hours helping us fix this problem for free?

[Keith Willoughb]

Simon Brooke wrote:

> in message
> <36j7901om1il5gccronia73qsrt7sum20b@4ax.com>, Just zis
> Guy, you know? ('outlook.bugs@microsoft.com') wrote:
>
>> I am not big on bells. I am usually too busy braking to
>> ring one; my voice works without removing either hand
>> from the brakes.
>
> A bike bell is distinctive and, if not overused,
> unaggressive. On a shared pedestrian/cycle path a polite
> 'ting' is a good indication that a bike is coming through,
> and generally does not offend.

When I've seen other cyclists use bells on MUPs, t appears
that it makes the pedestrians jump. I call out "coming
through on your right, mate", which makes them jump to the
correct side. Works For Me.

--
Keith Willoughby http://flat222.org/keith/ Anything not
compulsory was forbidden

[Paul Moss]

"Just zis Guy, you know?" <outlook.bugs@microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:36j7901om1il5gccronia73qsrt7sum20b@4ax.com...
> On Sat, 1 May 2004 16:15:00 +0100, "Tony Raven" <junk@raven-
> family.com> wrote in message <c70etq$ginih$1@ID-178940.news.uni-
> berlin.de>:
>
> >Incidentally it has been illegal for a long time to ride
> >a bike without
two
> >working brakes so the new law just requires them to sell
> >a bike that is
legal
> >in that respect.
>
> Quite. I am at a loss to understand what they are trying
> to regulate with that last bit; any shop which sells
> defective goods is liable under the Sale of Goods Act,
> after all.
>
> I am not big on bells. I am usually too busy braking to
> ring one; my voice works without removing either hand from
> the brakes.
>
> --
> Guy

When I use a bell in my local town centre, (part of the
footway is white lined so as to allow cyclists to go the
wrong way down a one way street) the usual reaction is
"don't you ring that f****ing thing at me you *****".

I find it much more effective to slow down and call out "
excuse me, may I squeeze through please?".

Most people don't realise that it's for cycles, as it's only
been there for 5 or 6 years and is only marked by white
lines on the ground with pictures of cycles and signs on the
street furniture warning people to look out for cycles from
the right as they leave the shopping precinct.

(Those that do realise leave it clear, which makes it
instinctive for others to gravitate onto the clear 'bit of
footway').

As the pedestrian usually realises he or she is in the wrong
they apologise and move.

I do have a mini 'pinger', on the bike which can be useful
on quiet mornings on the Thames path as I can warn dog
walkers in advance.

Paul.

[Andy Dingley]

On Sat, 1 May 2004 15:56:01 +0100, "Simon Mason"
<simon@simonmason.karoo.co.uk> wrote:

>According to our local rag, the new bell law also includes
>mandatory checking of brakes.

"Hull City mountain bike" !! 8-)

This, from the city that has to use a bridge to test hill
starts on a driving test.

--
Smert' spamionam

[Vernon Levy]

> I was stunned to read that primary school children are
> taught how to service their own brakes !

Don't see what's wrong with that...I used to do it at
primary school age as did quite a few pals of mine...rod
brakes an' all!! We often underestimate what youngster can
and can not do. I made my first working steam engine using
lathes, milling machines and drill presses at the tender age
of 12, I was, of course, supervised by the metalwork
teacher. It wasn't seen as an out of the ordinary exercise
at the time.

Now that I have my own lathe, milling machine and drill
press to make steam engines in my spare time, I am too busy
to use them!

Vernon in Leeds

[Simon Mason]

"vernon levy" <not@home.net> wrote in message
news:c725q4$ed7$1@news5.svr.pol.co.uk...
>
>
> > I was stunned to read that primary school children are
> > taught how to service their own brakes !
>
> Don't see what's wrong with that...I used to do it at
> primary school age
as
> did quite a few pals of mine...rod brakes an' all!!
> We often
underestimate
> what youngster can and can not do. I made my first working
> steam engine using lathes, milling machines and drill
> presses at the tender age of 12,
I
> was, of course, supervised by the metalwork teacher.
> It wasn't seen as an out of the ordinary exercise at
> the time.

I'm sure they are capable of doing it Vernon, I was stunned
that it was actually in the school curriculum in this day
and age when most of the little darlings are brought to
school in 4x4s.

Simon M.

[Simon Mason]

"Andy Dingley" <dingbat@codesmiths.com> wrote in message
news:sbv790pop9ugbdvaiu9t7bad1a8eik953p@4ax.com...
> On Sat, 1 May 2004 15:56:01 +0100, "Simon Mason"
> <simon@simonmason.karoo.co.uk> wrote:
>
> >According to our local rag, the new bell law also
> >includes mandatory checking of brakes.
>
> "Hull City mountain bike" !! 8-)
>
> This, from the city that has to use a bridge to test hill
> starts on a driving test.

Well spotted, I took my test at another driving centre
too far away from any bridge, so I did not even do the
hill start. They'll be selling well after yesterday's
promotion to Div 2.

--
Simon Mason Anlaby East Yorkshire. 53°44'N 0°26'W
http://www.simonmason.karoo.net (http://www.simonmason.karoo.net/)

[David Hansen]

On Sat, 01 May 2004 18:35:05 GMT someone who may be Simon Brooke
<simon@jasmine.org.uk> wrote this:-

>A bike bell is distinctive and, if not overused,
>unaggressive. On a shared pedestrian/cycle path a polite
>'ting' is a good indication that a bike is coming through,
>and generally does not offend.

I divide reactions into four:

1) No reaction. Either they did not hear or are pretending
not to hear. About 60%.

2) Good reaction. About 20%.

3) Bad reaction. About 20%.

4) Corporal Jones. One or two people.

ISTM that it's best not to ring a bell when passing
pedestrians given their reactions.

--
David Hansen, Edinburgh | PGP email preferred-key number
F566DA0E I will always explain revoked keys, unless the UK
government prevents me using the RIP Act 2000.

[Vernon Levy]

> I'm sure they are capable of doing it Vernon, I was
> stunned that it was actually in the school curriculum in
> this day and age when most of the little darlings are
> brought to school in 4x4s.
>
I doubt that it is part of the National Curriculum and
that it is there because of the enthusiasm/foresight of
one or two teachers within the school. At the High School
where I work, I overlook a set of unused bike racks and
know that many pupils would love the opportunity to ride
their bikes to school if there was a secure area for them
to be stored. Unfortunately, I have too many other extra
curricular commitments to take on cycling
issues/activities for the kids.

It's good to know though that soomeone somewhere is making
the effort to equip kids with skills that are genuinely
useful for the rest of their lives.

[Simon Mason]

"vernon levy" <not@home.net> wrote in message
news:c72gv0$f7q$1@newsg3.svr.pol.co.uk...

>
> It's good to know though that soomeone somewhere is making
> the effort to equip kids with skills that are genuinely
> useful for the rest of their lives.

Funny you should say that, here's our local school trying
to get bike sheds installed, but the locals are objecting.
A snicket is a narrow pedestrian short cut between houses,
like an alleyway. http://makeashorterlink.com/?U2BE46F28

--
Simon M.

[David Martin]

On 2/5/04 10:58 am, in article 91h990pp578g3t5jq31bp0l4l2c07ou5r6@4ax.com,
"David Hansen" <SENDdavidNOhSPAM@spidacom.co.uk> wrote:

> On Sat, 01 May 2004 18:35:05 GMT someone who may be Simon
> Brooke <simon@jasmine.org.uk> wrote this:-
>
>> A bike bell is distinctive and, if not overused,
>> unaggressive. On a shared pedestrian/cycle path a polite
>> 'ting' is a good indication that a bike is coming
>> through, and generally does not offend.

> ISTM that it's best not to ring a bell when passing
> pedestrians given their reactions.

I rarely use the bell. I find on shared use paths that a
polite 'good morning' or 'good afternoon' is far more
conducive. It doesn't have the same overtones of 'get out of
my way' that a bell has.

I use the bell when announcing my presence to pedestrians
who may be about to step out into the road.

It's about showing respect for others. How would you like to
be treated.

..d

[Tony Raven]

David Hansen wrote:
>
> I divide reactions into four:
>
> 1) No reaction. Either they did not hear or are pretending
> not to hear. About 60%.
>

My favourites are the ones that, when they finally do
notice you, turn to their partner and say "I thought I
heard a bell"

Tony

[Simon Mason]

"Tony Raven" <junk@raven-family.com> wrote in message
news:c72nhq$hjdlh$1@ID->
> My favourites are the ones that, when they finally do
> notice you, turn to their partner and say "I thought I
> heard a bell"

I use a bell on quite a few occasions.

1) Drivers walking out into the roads to get into their
driver side door - ring it before they step in the road.

2) Riding on converted railway line dual use paths behind
people walking 6 abreast.

3) Riding on converted rail line just before blind junctions
where cyclists could emerge unseen.

4) Riding through city centre when peds just walk out
without looking.

Usual reaction of peds is one of stunned surprise along the
lines of "what does that mean - what do I do?" Hopefully,
the increase in bells will mean that mine is met with more
than puzzlement in the future.

--
Simon Mason Anlaby East Yorkshire. 53°44'N 0°26'W
http://www.simonmason.karoo.net (http://www.simonmason.karoo.net/)

[Tony Raven]

Simon Mason wrote:
>
> Usual reaction of peds is one of stunned surprise along
> the lines of "what does that mean - what do I do?"
> Hopefully, the increase in bells will mean that mine is
> met with more than puzzlement in the future.

Perhaps the new law to require bikes to be sold with bells
should be supplemented with a new law that requires everyone
to learn that bells are not:

- figments of the aural imagination
- rung by those strange people who ride bikes for
self amusement
- to stop people having to shout "Oi! Why don't you
get a bell"
- accompanied by cries of "unclean" necessitating running
around in mad panic
- an indication of a request to stretch a dog lead
across a path.

Perhaps Mr Martlew could take this up on behalf of the Bell
Hearing Information Trust ;-)

Tony

[Zog The Undenia]

vernon levy wrote:

>>I'm sure they are capable of doing it Vernon, I was
>>stunned that it was actually in the school curriculum in
>>this day and age when most of the little darlings are
>>brought to school in 4x4s.
>>
>
> I doubt that it is part of the National Curriculum and
> that it is there because of the enthusiasm/foresight of
> one or two teachers within the school. At the High School
> where I work, I overlook a set of unused bike racks and
> know that many pupils would love the opportunity to ride
> their bikes to school if there was a secure area for them
> to be stored. Unfortunately, I have too many other extra
> curricular commitments to take on cycling
> issues/activities for the kids.
>
> It's good to know though that soomeone somewhere is making
> the effort to equip kids with skills that are genuinely
> useful for the rest of their lives.

I found my Cycling Profiency certificate in the loft
yesterday, dated 16-11-79 (I think we actually took the
test in the summer and it was months before the
certificates arrived). Not a helmet in sight in those days,
thank goodness.

A few snippets that I remember:

A loose headset is a major safety problem (this is actually
rubbish, but never mind)

When stopping, apply the back brake just before the front
brake. I still do this but I don't really know why.

If you're turning right and stopped at a traffic light - not
that there *were* any real traffic lights for a 10 mile
radius - you should make a right turn signal again as the
red/amber combination comes up.

Given it was the 1970s you won't be surprised to learn that
I did the training on a Chopper, although I passed the test
on my new Raleigh Olympus 5 speed "racer", which I
subsequently found shimmied like crazy at anything
approaching 30mph. Oh well.

[Daniel Barlow]

Zog The Undeniable <hrothgar19@yahoo.com> writes:

> When stopping, apply the back brake just before the front
> brake. I still do this but I don't really know why.

I was taught this as well, and I don't know why either. I
seem to recall that it was "to stop you from going over the
handlebars": presumably the idea is that applying the front
brake at a lower speed is less likely to catapult you.

I hardly use the back brake at all these days unless I need
to slow down while signalling right.

The other advice I remember from Cycling Proficiency -
unless it was from the Cub Scout Cycling badge - was to
cycle between 50cm and 1m from the kerb. Anyone involved
with CP or whatever has since replaced it know if they're
still peddling that one? Fortunately my father (who'd
already taught me to ride) had much more sensible ideas
about lane positioning.

-dan

--
"please make sure that the person is your friend before
you confirm"