Inovative Trail Conflict Solution

[DynoDon]

I got this from Singletracks today, of course I thought,"Does Michigan need this?" I like the idea, I do use a bell that I have to ring, it does help, and bring smiles/thank you's from hikers, runners, etc.. there are times I wish it was louder so the people with earphones could hear it, but it does speak a universal language, and bring smiles to all, but the people that probably never smile.
What do you think of this idea?
A friend recently returned from a trip to California with an interesting discovery: bell boxes for mountain bikers. If you ride in California you already know about these but for east coasters, the concept may be new. At many shared-use trailheads, mountain bike clubs have installed signed boxes containing loaner bear bells with velcro loops to attach to mountain bikes. The bells alert hikers and equestrians to oncoming bike traffic, allowing them to move out of the way or at least avoid being startled. Brilliant.

We seem to hear about trail-use conflicts a lot and much of the animosity is toward mountain bikers who are seen as the new kids on the trail. Sure, hikers and equestrians have tried (unsuccessfully) pinning trail damage on mountain bikers but at the end of the day, I suspect the real reason these groups don’t want us on the trail is we ride too dang fast and quiet on the trail. As a hiker, it’s startling to have a mountain bike come up unexpectedly, especially on a quiet hike in the woods all alone. Heck, I’d get jumpy after just one or two fast bikes passed me too.

With that in mind, I often slow down to hiking speed as I approach pedestrians on the trail, saying “hello” to let the person know I’m behind them but even that can be startling if the greeting comes too late or too loud. Plus, it forces me to slow down almost to a stop to give the hiker a chance to react. With a bear bell that’s constantly ringing, the hiker gets a warning that slowly builds as the rider approaches.

The downside to attaching a bell to your mountain bike is you gotta hear that thing jingling the ENTIRE time you’re riding. I have an old school bell on my FS bike (one of those big ones that goes brrrrrrrrrrr-iiiiing) and it dings a bit whenever I hit a bump. On a ride with mtbgreg1 last week I just about ripped the thing off my bike a couple times because it started annoying me so much! There’s also something to be said for quiet riding beyond your own mental health – listening to your bike is a good way to monitor the health of the bike. Catching a subtle rubbing or creaking sound early in a ride can save you from serious mechanical damage down the road.

So what’s the verdict – are bell boxes a good idea for shared use trails? I’d have to say it depends. For shared-use trails with a lot of traffic I think the idea has legs, particularly in areas where hikers are vocal about closing trails to bikes. Whenever you can address the root cause to a problem (hikers feeling on edge because of bikes) it’s usually a good solution. I think bear bells do just that.

For more remote trail systems where user conflicts are fewer and farther between, bear bells don’t make as much sense (except if you’re in actual bear country where a bell is for your own protection). It’s always important to ride in control and to watch for others on the trail – including other mountain bikers – but with fewer users you won’t find yourself slowing as often.

What do you think – are bell boxes a good idea? Does anyone ride with a bear bell full time?

[Jerry68]

I have bear bell on all my bikes, but we actually have bears on our trails down here. The Bear don't seem to notice the bell, but the bell works awesome to keep the more dangerous Hiker Americanus from getting "surprised" by me when they are strolling down a MTB trail with their head in the clouds.

Oh, and the "loaner" bell thing doesn't work, because much like the free trail maps at Bent Creek, they will all be stolen by the end of the first day.

[Di_bear]

I have bear bell on all my bikes, but we actually have bears on our trails down here. The Bear don't seem to notice the bell, but the bell works awesome to keep the more dangerous Hiker Americanus from getting "surprised" by me when they are strolling down a MTB trail with their head in the clouds.

Oh, and the "loaner" bell thing doesn't work, because much like the free trail maps at Bent Creek, they will all be stolen by the end of the first day.

It was explained to me by someone from Alaska that the bell is useful for bears not because they would scare them off, but so that bear knows you're there. Apparently, the bears are a little more friendly when they're not startled.

[iamkickstand]

This thread again, but with a twist.....

[b_b]

Naw this would be so much more affective (and fun too).

[i69whitey]

But, those bells are so heavy

[mtbfree]

I ride some of the busiest trails in SE Michigan, and to be honest, I don't think it's worth the hassle. Almost all of the hikers I've come across have been very understanding, even when I've unintentionally startled them (or their dogs) a little bit. A polite greeting and "Sorry about that" goes a long way. Hikers usually only hate on the mtb'ers who just blow by like they're in a rush to get somewhere. Act like a human being and they won't get so upset.

I know for sure that I would go crazy if I had to listen to a bell jingling the whole time I was riding, so to me, it's not worth it.

[nailgunn]

I too like the quiet solitude of riding/walking .. I prefer the "Behind You" "Left" and "Thank You" options. If I had to listen to the constant ding ding..... arg..... some one shoot me.

[c0nsumer]

I have bear bell on all my bikes, but we actually have bears on our trails down here. The Bear don't seem to notice the bell, but the bell works awesome to keep the more dangerous Hiker Americanus from getting "surprised" by me when they are strolling down a MTB trail with their head in the clouds.

Oh, and the "loaner" bell thing doesn't work, because much like the free trail maps at Bent Creek, they will all be stolen by the end of the first day.

It was explained to me by someone from Alaska that the bell is useful for bears not because they would scare them off, but so that bear knows you're there. Apparently, the bears are a little more friendly when they're not startled.

When I lived in Alaska I was told that when out in the woods you want to make noise so that bears know you are there. This is specifically because bears don't want much to do with people, and if you make enough noise you just simply won't see them, since they'll hear you first and go elsewhere.

[ibisman]

Never had major problems with hikers other than the dope digging holes out at Poto and an old hiker at brighton who was swinging his walking stick at us. And the guy out at Maybury moving the logs from a log pile saying "someone could get hurt".

[Wolverine]

I think the usual bell you only ding when approaching someone makes a lot more sense. The loaner bear bells wouldn't last long and I'm certain they'd annoy the crap out of every user group due to the constant noise. There's no way I'd attached what amounts to a cat bell collar on my bike!

[Mack]

If you are going to put a bell on a bike there is really only one to
get, The Inredibell. The people i know who have them on their bikes
love them. I personally like the "hi", "hello" "on your left/right" "thank you".


http://www.mirrycle.com/original_bell.php

[2WheeledWarrior]

The "Bell in a box" theory has another great side effect, though...it's presence wuld raise awareness to the bikers that other people and animals are using trails, even if all the bells are gone. A bell is great, but not as nice as "rider up....2 riders are right behind me, great day to be on a trail!"

[Bento]

I bought a bear bell with the magnet "switch" about 7 yrs ago. Only took one ride to drive me nuts (still haven't recovered really). What the h€ll was I thinking? Now that I think of it, I bought that @ REI, hmm....

[iamkickstand]

I personally like the " pepper spray method


p

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