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Cornelius, I've booked the registry office. I'm wearing white.
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Tend to disagree. Bell ringing (just a couple of pings) should be done from a distance, so as not to startle people. A friendly wave or polite thank you completes the interaction.
If you are close enough to speak with people before first notifying them you are there, you are too close and could surprise and distress them.
Fintan
Ramsaye
@cornelius_blackfoot
Said it before, and I'll say it again, bell ringing on shared paths, probably means you're going too fast, if there are pedestrians in front work around them or wait for space to pass. Slow to their pace to pass when convenient, safe to do so, not ride up at pace, ring bell, they look startled and jump out of way, you carry on at pace.
Bell ringing now signifies get out of my way, rather than here I am.
Seen it alot on london's tow paths and parks and nothing makes my heart sink faster than when I'm riding slowly behind someone and they hear/spy me and they jump out of the way, pulling family/friends/kids/dog to the side as well, because the only other cyclists they've encountered have done what I've mentioned above.
I've got a loud voice and i use it to signify my arrival, I prefer "oi oi", and its usually followed by "careful now" because they've cheated a light, haven't looked before crossing, want to step out into my path, and even though I've seen them and attempted to anticipate what they may do, humans are unpredictable so I give them a bit of warning of my presence.
Riding bikes allows us to interact with road users and pedestrians, you can have a quick chat, tell someone off, announce your presence, share a joke, and the ringing of bells just diminishes that human interaction..