Letter: Cyclists' voices better than bells

Tuesday 18 February 1997 00:02 GMT

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Sir: Ernie Sears (letter, 14 February) is wrong to state that bicycle bells are "required by law". The voice is quite adequate for providing the obligatory "audible warning of approach", with the advantage of leaving both hands free for braking.

More importantly, it can also be varied to convey the appropriate degree of urgency. A polite "Bike behind!" or "Excuse me" will announce my presence to horse-riders or pedestrians on minor roads or shared paths; where a more forceful message is needed, jaywalkers or inattentive motorists take a bellowed "Whoah!" or "Oi!" much more seriously than a tinkling bell.

TOM BARRANCE

Penarth, Wales

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Letter: Cyclists' voices better than bells

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