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Comment by yujzgzc | Hacker News Reader

This is my reason for blasting music from my bicycle. Feels less rude than clicking a bell at the pedestrians and somewhat more effective at attracting attention.

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That is definitely the wrong thing to do. It isn't rude to use the bell, and as a pedestrian I appreciate a single ring (obviously, don't ring like a madman either). Playing music loudly in a public space is way more rude than using your bicycle bell.

Too many close calls with inattentive pedestrians in my area. I ring, no move, or worse, they get startled, and turn around into the middle of the bike lane. If I have to choose between coming off as rude and keeping my brain enclosed, I know what to do.

You need to ring when you are still some way away, so they have time to react, and if they don't you can slow down and ring a second time. And travel at an appropriate speed for the location.

(I have an ebike, so this is especially important. Mine is a legal one: 25 km/h max, 250 W, etc. If yours is faster, this is even more important.)

i like to sing "geeettt outt of the biiiiike laaaannne!" as loud as possible with my big fat tenor voice as i ride past them ringing my bell repeatedly the entire time. a single bell ring never seems to get anyone's attention

It's great for announcing that an asshole is approaching.

“Heeeeere I come!!!” Boom psst boom psst waka waka

Better still, a nice free hub. If you don’t pedal, it’s noisy, if you back pedal it sounds urgent.

As an upside, your better get good at hill climbing as freewheeling or backpedaling up hill takes some practice.

We don't have bears or mountain lions where I live but mountain bikers still do this.

How about don’t ride on the sidewalk or any pedestrian path.

There are shared pedestrian/cyclist paths in some places.

Mixed bike/pedestrian paths and sidewalks are extremely common here in Sweden at least. Some are split into two halves, but mixed is more common.

Right, I don't! it's the other way around where I live. Lots of pedestrians distractingly lolling about in the bike lane, maybe with a dog and a loose toddler too. So, music.

It's amazing how HN readers are immune to second degree and fell flat into the trap.

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