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My general finding is that the only time I use a bell is when I'm still more than 10 metres from someone who hasn't noticed me and I want to draw their attention to my presence so they can pick a side of the path. If I'm even thinking that I might have to brake then I'm definitely not considering using a bell, partly because the relevant time has passed and partly because it always interferes with bike control (especially on drop-bars)
I'd say that 9 times out of 10 that I see cyclists use a bell, they do it ensure that they don't have to slow down. The classic "it's my right of way!" ringing of a bell, by cyclists who don't want to slow down, is often to try to open a path through a gaggle of pedestrians who've crossed against the lights. It's a douchebag move and doesn't establish priority any more than sounding a horn does.
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I'd say that 9 times out of 10 that I see cyclists use a bell, they do it ensure that they don't have to slow down. The classic "it's my right of way!" ringing of a bell, by cyclists who don't want to slow down, is often to try to open a path through a gaggle of pedestrians who've crossed against the lights. It's a douchebag move and doesn't establish priority any more than sounding a horn does.
@Archibald take note
Mickie_Cricket
Didn't Charlie Alliston shout 'get out of the way' or something? You shouldn't 'have to' shout that.
I sometimes use a bell on the bike on which I have one (out of habit more than anything, it's an old one), but I don't need one.