Sadly that seems to be most of them.

Took my bell off years ago. If you’ve got time to reach for the bell, you’ve got time to reach for the brake and change direction.

I have a bell. You can ring it as loud as you like, nobody is listening for it so it's pretty pointless. It's there mainly so I can point at it when people say "you should have a bell"...

I’d hear it, and I’d say thank you. It’s not difficult. If you guys put as much energy into using the bell as you do to finding excuses, the world be a nicer (and safer) place.

I'm glad you would. I always ring it, but it's amazing how little response it gets if people are talking, have headphones in, or are just in their own little world in whatever way...

I’m glad you do use it. Thank you. It’s a shame that some people lack the manners to acknowledge it.

I don't think it's necessarily manners, or intentionally ignoring it; I think it's just not a very useful noise, it just blends into the background too easily so people just don't notice it until it's pointless anyway and you might as well just say "excuse me".

What is your cycling scenario for this?

Shared use trails at commuting times or off-road trails during the day when it's not busy but it's not deserted either. I think not being anywhere near traffic is part of it; if people can safely "zone out", I don't think a bike bell is enough of a "threat" to penetrate.

Sorry, but that’s not good enough. You don’t necessarily have to change direction if room to pass. The bell is to alert us that you are coming, especially from behind, as bicycles are almost silent on most surfaces. If you have time to brake and change direction, you have time to use the bell.

What if they can’t hear? Is it their fault when they ignore your bell? Got headphones in? Is that their tough luck? Slow down, change direction. Expecting people to understand your intentions based on a bell isn’t good enough.

I agree: there will be people with hearing loss that should be considered. (Headphones is a choice, not an excuse, unless it’s addressing another health matter) All the more reason to use bells AND evasive measures, not use it as an excuse to not use a bell.

I fitted the loudest bell I could find, works a treat from about 50 metres back. Doesn't work a treat with joggers with earbuds in, or free-range children.

I used to use what was basically a clown horn. It was really effective. I think pedestrians ignore bell noises but jump at horns

Did your handlebars fall off and your wheels go in separate directions? 😆

I have one as well, a Tango promotional horn, but it's too flimsy to last on a bike.

But thank you from someone who doesn’t block off the sound!!