Is there a bye-law that says that I need a bell on a towpath?

Anyone know for definite?

Can't find anything on Google or the British waterways site but have just had a run in with some moron from British Waterways who insisted that there was a by law and that I was breaking it. When i asked them to quote the law they couldn't and became increasingly aggressive. I'm pretty sure I am in the right when I said there wasn't and neither he nor any of his colleagues could quote it beyond "it's the by-law that says you must have a bell" and suggested that I look on their website... They also claimed I had broken the law in removing the bell that my bike legally had to be sold with and again failed to accept they were wrong when I quoted them the law and accused me of lying. Oh and one of them accused me of cycling too fast but then admitted that he hadn't even see me approaching.

I'm more than pissed off at the way I was spoken too and will be complaining. I don't think asking them to substantiate a law I am being accused of breaking is unreasonable? But need to know for certain that I'm right in my argument!

I thought by law you had to have "an early warning system" on your bike, but you can argue that your voice counts as one...?

http://www.britishwaterways.co.uk/listening-to-you/waterways-code/for-cyclists

It's "reccomended" as part of the waterways code.

it's not in the highway code. Recommended, but not compulsory.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_069837

Bye laws vary depending on which tow path you are using. Check (using a search engine possibly) before using the tow path and then have your argument. Ignorance of the law, even an obscure byelaw, is not a defence.

http://www.waterscape.com/media/documents/20534.pdf

Here's the london leaflet. It says use a bell but doesent quote any specific legislation, I would argue its certainly good practice to have a bell fitted regardless.

http://www.bikeforall.net/content/cycling_and_the_law.php

I thought by law you had to have "an early warning system" on your bike, but you can argue that your voice counts as one...?

Ha, funnily enough I said that I had a mouth and that a cheery "excus me" was just as effective - the cock interupted me at the point I said I had a mouth and said "yes we know that"

Prick has really wound me up. Another exchange - "could you be any more condescending?" Him "I'm sure I could try?"

Bye laws vary depending on which tow path you are using. Check (using a search engine possibly) before using the tow path and then have your argument. Ignorance of the law, even an obscure byelaw, is not a defence.

They told me it was a british waterways bye-law and implied it covered all of London?

To be honest if you regularly use a towpath you should fit a bell, its just good manners really.

I use the towpath here in belfast and a quick ting just to let people know your there and to to move in to let you past keeps every one happy.

Just get one.

To be honest if you regularly use a towpath you should fit a bell, its just good manners really.

I use the towpath here in belfast and a quick ting just to let people know your there and to to move in to let you past keeps every one happy.

I ride on the towpath once a month tops. I was knackered and have a sore knee so decided tonight a very gentile spin along it for about 3 miles with the plan of getting a coffee was more fun than the 40 miler I had planned. Towpath is a bit of a nightmare for me as I'm riding against the flow of commuters coming out of London so it's not fun.

Thinking about it, last time I used it when I stopped a dog pee'd on my rucksack so I think I should heed the signs and avoid the fucking place!

I prefer squeaky disc brakes.

You could always download a "bicycle bell.mp3" to your phone and play it when you approach peds.
(only half joking as I'm sure this would stand up in court)

...or just use your voice.

In the past I've used my voice to say "ding ding". People sometimes even find that amusing. Also informing them you've just had your bell stolen can earn you some sympathy instead of grief.

Or just actually use a bell. I've got one on a bike that I tend to use more as a utility shopping bike on routes that involve shared use paths.

I bombed along the canal this morning to get to a meeting in time. Apart from the junkies and occasional tramp everyone was fairly civil...

I slow right down and either use the brake squeal or 'scuse me! option as I don't have a bell and I don't fucking want one for the occasional time I might venture the broken glass and dingy pleasures of Britain's fine waterways... For the line of pedants waiting to browbeat me for my lack of morals or bicycle ethics in this respect, don't bother-I care not and I can already predict the dull diatribe that will be spouted. psst.

I don't know what good a fucking bell will do for all the dogs that are allowed to run around shitting everywhere either-even if you slow right down the owners still scowl at you as if you're going to scythe through fido's spinal column and carry on your way cackling. You could have a fog horn and most of the mouth breathing, iPod dependant cunts would still be oblivious to your presence anyway.

Quick push into the water to get bitten by a rat and get some fucked up waterborne disease or assaulted by a methadone addicted swan is what they need!

...or just use your voice.

except that doesn't satisfy a byelaw as the whole point of the OP says.

in court you could argue a mobile phone attached to the bars with a loud mp3 of a bell is essentially "having a bell fitted" especially as you say the other bell you had fell off and rolled into the canal because of the bumpy towpath.

Hope and Campagnolo hubs work best as bells at slow speed.

Quick push into the water to get bitten by a rat and get some fucked up waterborne disease or assaulted by a methadone addicted swan is what they need!

What ? The morons from British Waterways ?

What ? The morons from British Waterways ?

anyone. everyone. kids, pregnant ladies, disabled folks. I don't care. More the merrier. Teach them to be a bit more alert and responsive to the nice noise of my tires running over their broken glass and dogshit, won't it?

Hope and Campagnolo hubs work best as bells at slow speed.

as does my White Industries freewheel, a lovely noise. The more astute rambler can even appreciate the sound of a high quality ratchet!

To be honest if you regularly use a towpath you should fit a bell, its just good manners really.

I use the towpath here in belfast and a quick ting just to let people know your there and to to move in to let you past keeps every one happy.

+1.
Well said.
Cyclists are on sufferance to use the towpath (by rights we should buy permits).

Inconsiderate behaviour may change this.

Lee_Wood, what a load of crap they were spinning you

Platini is right though, we are 'on sufference', but you can be considerate without fitting a bell

nothing wrong with a polite excuse me

I prefer 'Ting Ting' to 'Ding Ding'... gets a bigger smile.

(I won't have a bell, they weigh too much).