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Škoda DuoBell: A bicycle bell that penetrates noise-cancelling headphones

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81–90 of 618 posts

Re: Škoda DuoBell: A bicycle bell that penetrates noise-cancelling headphones

#81
post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am aware that most countries do not have dedicated roads for cyclists, but that doesn't mean that cyclists should be using sidewalks. When I go out and walk on the sidewalk, I expect to be able to just walk safely without having to think about potential riders of bicycles or other things that people ride on sidewalks.

> I am aware that most countries do not have dedicated roads for cyclists, but that doesn't mean that cyclists should be using sidewalks. Huh? Germany has signs on same shared pavements that tell you that by law your bike needs to be on there, not on the road. Are you suggesting people break the law over your preferences?

Then it's a stupid law. But from the image that other commenter gave, it does look like Germany has space that is clearly intended for cyclists, and I have no issue with that. I have issue with instances when people cycle on sidewalks intended for pedestrians.

Re: Škoda DuoBell: A bicycle bell that penetrates noise-cancelling headphones

#82
post #60
post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What is the right problem that should be solved here?

Fines. No one should cross roads/paths randomly, with or without headphones. One large fine, and people will learn.

No, they won't, punishment is never better than good design that incentivises and directs how something ought to be used.

Jaywalking is even a misdemeanor in some areas of the USA, it doesn't stop it from happening at all.

Re: Škoda DuoBell: A bicycle bell that penetrates noise-cancelling headphones

#83
post #36
post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Eh, it's pragmatic. It's replacing a problem you can't solve (human stupidity), with one you can (a better bell).

Why can't the cyclists slow down when they see that there's a human obstacle in front of them?

Generally I am pretty accommodating of pedestrians and give them a wide berth but sometimes they do some pretty obnoxious things like walk six abreast or cut right in front of you erratically without looking.

I have very little time for people who freely absolve themselves of their personal responsibility to be aware of their surroundings and we shouldn't be encouraging people to zone out of society just so they can consume more.

I am comfortable cycling slower than walking pace and if I am in a real rush for speed I will cycle on the road but sometimes pedestrians can cause serious cycling accidents even when you're careful or slow.

Re: Škoda DuoBell: A bicycle bell that penetrates noise-cancelling headphones

#84
I’m more afraid of cyclists than of cars. I know exactly where the road starts and end, I know there are traffic lights drivers and pedestrians usually respect, so it’s very unlikely that I can get hit by a car. And Im talking about myself, not about the average person (I know stats may say otherwise)

But cyclists can ride in the pedestrian lane, bike lanes and pedestrians lanes are not easily distinguishable (if you are visiting a new city/country for example, and/or the painting of the lanes disappear over time) compared to roads, you typically can hear cars/motorbikes coming (though with electric cars that’s less common) while bikes are very silent, and last but not least, typically there is certain hierarchy when it comes to cars and pedestrians (at least in Europe): pedestrians come first. That’s not the case with bikes (which based on my experience, they share the same level of importance with pedestrians in the streets)

Re: Škoda DuoBell: A bicycle bell that penetrates noise-cancelling headphones

#86
post #15

Over engineering in real life, solving lack of common sense by introducing a solution where the cyclist is paying. I think the solution is nice for sure, but solving the wrong problem.

The real problem is that cyclists and pedestrians apparently in some countries share space commonly enough that this is necessary?

In the Netherlands, bicycle utopia, I cannot remember the last time I used my bell to alert a pedestrian of my existence. Granted, I never cycle in Amsterdam, but that is a special location where high-powered ship horns are probably required.

Regarding ANC, I naturally turn it off while cycling on my Bose Quiet Comfort II, as the ANC will try (and fail) to cancel the noise from the wind. I don't think this is a solved problem? So for bicycle-to-bicycle alerting, this also seems overkill.

Re: Škoda DuoBell: A bicycle bell that penetrates noise-cancelling headphones

#87
post #15

Over engineering in real life, solving lack of common sense by introducing a solution where the cyclist is paying. I think the solution is nice for sure, but solving the wrong problem.

which part would you consider overengineered?

Re: Škoda DuoBell: A bicycle bell that penetrates noise-cancelling headphones

#88
post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Eh, it's pragmatic. It's replacing a problem you can't solve (human stupidity), with one you can (a better bell).

Human stupidity? As in allowing too much noise in the cities to the extend that people need to protect their minds?

Stockholm is a very quiet city, people still wear noise-cancelling headphones all the time.

Re: Škoda DuoBell: A bicycle bell that penetrates noise-cancelling headphones

#89
post #27

[flagged]

I don't know where you're from, but in Germany for example, there are countless situations where cyclists and pedestrians share the same space, or pedestrians can (or just do…) cross bicycle lanes. I'm a very law-abiding cyclist since witnessing a few horrible accidents, and yet I encounter situations with headphone-wearing pedestrians regularly. Often I'll ring my bell to no avail, until driving right up to them, an…

If just slowing down helps to prevent an accident, not sure what the bell would be good for - except for signaling your frustration to everyone around you

Re: Škoda DuoBell: A bicycle bell that penetrates noise-cancelling headphones

#90

[flagged]

As a cyclist in London, I’ve hit one pedestrian: they stepped backward(!) into a cycle lane. I had nowhere to go, as there was a curb on the other side. Pedestrian behaviour is just totally wild with respect to cycle lanes, a lot of them are just totally oblivious. If you cycle, you will come across people walking along or stepping into dedicated cycle lanes several times during the average commute.
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