Remember the forgotten deaf when charging round on bikes
First I must explain that I am very deaf, as are a high proportion of the ageing population. I am going to cite two incidents that happened to me recently.
I was walking down a steep path into the Ashes Valley on the Long Mynd when two cyclists passed close to me, without warning, going, at least, 40 mph. I think that if I had moved sideways, even slightly, there would have been, at least, two badly injured even fatally.
On another occasion whilst walking down a narrow footpath on a street in a 20 mph zone, I was approached by a wheelchair user and I put one foot in the gutter (not out into the road) when a voice from behind me shouted "Out of my way" and a group of cyclists came past certain doing more than 20mph. This I found unbelievably arrogant and does no good for the reputation of cyclists.
I often ask cyclists that I know why they do not have a bell, they often answer 'wind resistance' or 'it's not cool'. Both these answers must be ridiculous. Rarely I've found bells on modern cycles and the ones I have tried made one very soft 'ding' per press.
When I was a child all bikes had a bell which made two very loud 'drings' per press which would make everyone aware, even the badly deaf, within 20 yards. For instance, I was in Crete recently and had to remove my hearing aids when the cicadas were active because, for me, the noise was unbearably loud!
I am very aware that overuse of powerful bells could be annoying, but use in a life-threatening situation could be lifesaving.
Do you feel that audible cycle bells should be compulsory? Do bear in mind the forgotten deaf!
This is not a criticism of all cyclists.
Julian Hudson
South Shropshire
