Bicycle bell

A bicycle bell is a percussive signaling instrument mounted on a bicycle for warning pedestrians and other cyclists. The bell is a required piece of equipment in some jurisdictions.[1][2][3][4] They are usually mounted on the handlebars and thumb activated.

Silver Bicycle bell in Bicycle
Bicycle bell mounted on the stem
Bicycle bell internal view
Bicycle bell with external clapper

History

The bicycle bell was invented by John Richard Dedicoat,[5] and patents for bicycle bells appear as early as 1877.[6]

Types

The most common bells are actuated by a thumb-operated lever that is geared to rapidly rotate two loosely slung metal discs inside the bell housing. Said discs repeatedly rattle and strike the bell to produce a sound not unlike that of an electric bell. This type of bell [7] comes in left and right handed versions. Left handed versions are mounted on the left side of the handle bars and are used in countries that drive on the left hand side of the road. The right hand is then free to give traffic signals.

Simpler types also exist, with a spring-mounted external clapper that creates a "ding-ding" sound when the clapper is pulled with a finger and released. Some bells, particularly these "ping" types, work poorly in rainy conditions because water drops clinging to the bell damp the vibrations which produce sound.

As musical instruments

Bicycle bells have also been used as musical instruments in such notable recordings as "You Still Believe in Me" on Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys[8] and "Bicycle Race" by Queen and more.

See also

References
  1. "Welcome back, bicycle bell". BBC News. 29 April 2004. Retrieved 2011-07-03. If you get a brand new bicycle from 1 May, make sure its got a brand new bell. Bells on new bikes were compulsory until 1983, but from this weekend they will once again be mandatory.
  2. "Bicycling in New Jersey Regulations". State of New Jersey Department of Transportation. November 8, 2010. Retrieved 2011-07-03. 39:4-11 Audible Signal. A bicycle must be equipped with a bell or other audible device that can be heard at least 100 feet away, but not a siren or whistle.
  3. "Ontario's Guide to Safe Cycling". Ontario Ministry of Transportation. June 20, 2010. Archived from the original on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2011-07-03. HTA 75 (5) - Bell: a bike must have a bell or horn in good working order. Set fine: $85.00
  4. "Cycling Fact Sheet No. 46: Ring your bell to make others aware" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Transportation. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-04-08. Retrieved 2011-07-03. Pedestrians have right-of-way on the State's shared path system and the onus is on cyclists to provide a clear warning of their presence, particularly when approaching another path user from behind. For that reason, a person riding a bicycle in WA must have a bell or similar warning device that is in good working order.
  5. "Bicycle Bell - Types, Facts and History of Bike Bells".
  6. The Federal Reporter (PDF). Vol. 73. West Publishing Co. 1896. p. 470. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 13, 2010. Retrieved 2013-04-21. The Rockwell patent, No. 471,982, for a bicycle bell, consisting of a combination of a base plate, with a revoluble striker bar, spring-actuated in one direction, a lever operatively connected therewith, and adapted to rotate the striker bar in opposition to the force of the spring, and a gong, held invalid because of anticipation by the English patent, No. 2,425, of June 22, 1877, to Alfred Bennett, for improvements in call bells, door bells, etc. 64 Fed. 859. reversed. See also US 471982, E.D. Rockwell, "Bell", published March 29, 1892
  7. 7 Types of Bike Bells & 5 Tips for Choosing the Right One
  8. Adam Webb (2003-11-07). "Brian Wilson Presents Pet Sounds Live In London (DVD) Review". BBC. Retrieved 2011-07-03.
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