http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Canal Nazi en Sun, 31 May 2026 16:13:30 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18338&page=2#post-265928 Wed, 08 Nov 2017 11:50:22 +0000 piosad 265928@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>To be fair that's how many canal users think of the bell at bridges. I've always thought the appropriate response to an 'I'm here' bell from the other side of a bridge is stop and let them out but apparently lots of people think it's 'ding ding so am I, steaming through'. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18338#post-265927 Wed, 08 Nov 2017 11:45:05 +0000 LivM 265927@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>My nearly-3yo on his balance bike was told by Gran "ting your bell to tell people you're there" and now he thinks it's a magical device to make people move out of his way while he charges full speed ahead. There's some etiquette lessons still to sink in... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18338#post-265829 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 16:46:56 +0000 Arellcat 265829@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQQmWISIw_7UsyJLSCEvvFXQC-80Fj4D7RmGyUwjT1Tm9V0W67b6A"> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18338#post-265828 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 16:43:23 +0000 TractorFactory 265828@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>This reminds me of an invention I came up with on cyclo-commute musings. The Bing-Bong Bell. A bell with two hammers. One hard plastic or metal, one with a rubber ended hammer. The hard hammer giving the more sharp piercing bing to be used at distance. The rubber hammer giving a more rounded bong for close proximity gentle nudges.</p> <p>Copyright Tractor Factory Conglomerates 2017 </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18338#post-265823 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 16:18:07 +0000 DaveC 265823@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Perhaps someone should introduce Mr Green to Mr Canal Pusher-in? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18338#post-265821 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 16:11:38 +0000 jdanielp 265821@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@dougal ding-dong although I sometimes sound an individual ding or dong depending on the situation (e.g. when there are two quite separate pedestrians up ahead of me, I will ding before passing the first and dong before passing the second). I routinely follow up with a 'thank you' as well. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18338#post-265820 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 15:55:12 +0000 jules878 265820@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I have two bells! A friendly Oi bell which I can I can ping which I hope says to pedestrians "Hello, I'm approaching and don't want to surprise you".</p> <p>And a traditional bell which I use before going under canal bridges, and for pedestrians with head phones which didn't hear the friendly ping, (and occasionally for dog walkers with uncontrolled beasts if they've not reacted to friendly ping.</p> <p>I feel using traditional bike bell for pedestrians sounds like a Mr Toad "get out of my way", rather than a more polite "Hello, I'm here too message."</p> <p>I find this works for me. Mostly. But there always some for whom a ping is too much, and others who feel I should ring more! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18338#post-265819 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 15:47:14 +0000 algo 265819@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@SRD such behaviour is really very irritating and inconsiderate and I fully support your intervention... I hope it will encourage some introspection, but I somewhat doubt it. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18338#post-265813 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 15:08:56 +0000 dougal 265813@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@jdanielp Is yours a large ding-dong or a long donnnnnnnng (said the actress to the vicar, regarding his bicycle bell)?</p> <p>I find a long piercing single note sounds fantastic but nobody associates it with bicycles no matter how penetrating it is. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18338#post-265812 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 15:01:12 +0000 bill 265812@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>A while back I started using the bell on the tow path and Livingston paths to indicate that I am behind folks -- I hope not in an aggressive way but every now and then I get the volume wrong. Most of the time I also say "thank you" (there are heaps of 'thank yous' on warm days). I started doing this when MrBbill and I walked along the WoF and the canal a few times and really didn't like the fast, surprise bikes and felt a lot safer when folks ring the bell before overtaking.</p> <p>I also got a friendly "thanks for the bell" in Wester Hails once, which was nice. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18338#post-265806 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 14:30:35 +0000 Trixie 265806@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>But also, a ping bell does seem to sound more immediate and shouty than a traditional tring-tring bell.</em></p> <p>Yes! I have a ping bell on my hybrid (I've reached n+1 quite quickly!) and a tring-tring on my leccy bike. Tring-tring definitely gets better reception. I need to replace that ping one. </p> <p>I grabbed one of those bulb horns at the Let's Ride thingy the other month. It makes a comedic honk which I've yet to find an appropriate occasion for. It might be a good reprimand should I meet a Mr Toad pinger though. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18338#post-265781 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 12:46:28 +0000 jdanielp 265781@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@earthowned sounds like he (or maybe the cyclist behind taking the footage) is also doing a bit of bell ringing?</p> <p>I'm comfortable with the amount of bell ringing that I do on the towpath (although sometimes people still complain that I haven't rung a bell), although that is partly due to the fact that I have a large ding-dong bell, which has received some admiration from pedestrians. I will usually switch to vocal warnings when I'm close to someone though. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18338#post-265779 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 12:30:42 +0000 earthowned 265779@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@claire You could always try singing like this cyclist: </p> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3zn5dQiOEw">Bike Lane! This is a Bike Lane!</a></p> <p>I don't think I have the voice or confidence to pull this off though! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18338#post-265778 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 12:24:26 +0000 SRD 265778@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@claire I would suggest that is exactly the sort of thing that bells are for. but I still tend to find voice more effective, because often they don't recognize that the bell might be aimed at them, whereas an 'excuse me!' sometimes does penetrate. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18338#post-265777 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 12:07:05 +0000 claire3000006 265777@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I hope it's acceptable to ding my bell aggressively when pedestrians are dawdling along the cycle lane *on the road* at Haymarket. Happens all the time. I'm considering getting a horn that makes a big honk because they often ignore my bell. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18338#post-265776 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 11:54:07 +0000 Arellcat 265776@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>If there are so many people that you are ringing constantly, then just stop ringing and ride considerately and slowly until you get past the congested area.</em></p> <p>This.</p> <p>The number of times I've remarked to overtakers, "It's not a race track!" has diminished mainly because I use the path much less and can't be bothered inviting agro into my commute.</p> <p>But also, a ping bell does seem to sound more immediate and shouty than a traditional tring-tring bell. I wondered if it was because we still associate the latter with vicars-on-bicycles and summer afternoons in Enid Blyton books. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18338#post-265775 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 11:51:12 +0000 toomanybikes 265775@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I find my bell 100 times easier than trying to verbally communicate. I don't mean it aggressively, mostly just to let people know I'm there and not to swerve, step out or get startled at suddenly having a cyclist at their side. Although I often get the volume of the ding wrong and it accidentally comes off as aggressive.</p> <p>Although I don't see how dinging someone oncoming who's already seen you could be anything but aggressive. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18338#post-265774 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 11:50:02 +0000 Morningsider 265774@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Think I've seen this green clad guy in the Meadows. Really ticked me off - started dinging at pedestrians crossing the cycle path from behind me, so they got the impression that I was some kind of impatient douche. I adopted accepted Edinburgh etiquette and tutted loudly at such poor form. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18338#post-265772 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 11:40:30 +0000 I were right about that saddle 265772@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>I can imagine you adding a...have you been drinking?</em></p> <p>Always with a 'Sir'. Freaks folk out slightly and triggers the thought that I might be off-duty plod.</p> <p>One of the things I really like about French is the way it still has mechanisms to indicate several degrees of formality right up to medieval chivalry. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18338#post-265770 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 11:37:15 +0000 SRD 265770@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>If there are so many people that you are ringing constantly, then just stop ringing and ride considerately and slowly until you get past the congested area, or go onto the road, especially at busy times. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18338#post-265769 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 11:33:57 +0000 steveo 265769@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>Use the bell from miles back. Then use "Hi" when you are close.</em></p> <p>As long as no one is between you and the target then it sounds like dude in between is close range dinging. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18338#post-265768 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 11:33:00 +0000 urchaidh 265768@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>No canal for you! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18338#post-265767 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 11:31:40 +0000 neddie 265767@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@paddy</p> <p>Use the bell from miles back. Then use "Hi" when you are close.</p> <p>("Hi" doesn't work from miles back, and bells P people off when dung directly behind) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18338#post-265766 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 11:30:39 +0000 Luath 265766@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Maybe he was transferring the instructions he was given by the new signs on the NEPN?<br /> Described on the council website as "use your bell to let people know you are there well in advance".</p> <p>Bell ringing is one of those no win games. You will always be simultaneously ringing too much and not ringing enough.</p> <p>Not that any of the above excuses barging through other path users. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18338#post-265764 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 11:27:38 +0000 paddyirish 265764@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I don't like bells for that reason - a bit like a car horn which can be used in a "get the #rule2# out of my way". I'd rather say a "hi ", which gets a pretty positive response and only use the bell if I don't get any sign that they have heard me (headphones) </p> <p>But then most of my cycling is rural and I don't use the canal in town... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18338#post-265763 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 11:27:32 +0000 neddie 265763@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>Good morning Sir, if I may be permitted to introduce myself...</em></p> <p>I can imagine you adding a </p> <p><em>...Have you been drinking?</em></p> <p>to the end of that. Or maybe,</p> <p><em>...Have thy been imbibing thysel wi vessels o ale?</em> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18338#post-265761 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 11:14:29 +0000 I were right about that saddle 265761@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>To be fair conflict is designed into the canal towpath. It's a very attractive corridor and in no way adequate for demand.</p> <p>Engaging with strangers is fraught with difficulty. I have adopted a super-formal Edwardian tone now. Good morning Sir, if I may be permitted to introduce myself...&amp;co &amp;co. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18338#post-265756 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 10:58:29 +0000 dougal 265756@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Bells should come with a refractory period. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18338#post-265754 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 10:49:52 +0000 steveo 265754@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>When I was running on the Canal a lot earlier in the year I considered printing a sign suggesting I was deaf to see if folk would stop bloody digning at me then pushing through regardless, its very frustrating. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18338#post-265753 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 10:48:28 +0000 amir 265753@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Mr Toad! </p>