BELLS are for bicycles not just church towers. Much as I love the glorious tones of our wonderful cathedral bells, it is the sharp ring of a bicycle bell that brings joy as I walk and cycle shared space.

Cyclists are not legally obliged to have a bicycle bell but it is a useful means of warning others of your presence. It displays courtesy and says ‘I’m being considerate. I hope you will be too’.

Bikes have to be sold with a bell fitted. An owner of a new bike who chooses to remove the bell or not to replace a damaged bell is certainly expressing her opinion of her fellow road and track users.

There are many reasons why cyclists don’t have a bell attached to their bicycle. Perhaps it is considered to be sissy or to be aesthetically unappealing. Others claim that it is rude to use a bell because it implies that space is being demanded from walkers.

I have also heard it argued that bicycle bells are of little use as older people often cannot hear high sounds. A few cyclists favour the shout, generally friendly but somewhat disconcerting.

However melodious, piercing or clock-like the pitch of your bell, it may not get the attention of walkers or cyclists with headphones clamped to their ears. Do not be disheartened but slow down and ring the bike bell again.

Cycle training is not compulsory and so cyclists are not taught etiquette or unspoken rules. Some may not fit a bell because they are not sure when or how to use it.

I ring the bell a good distance from people I would like to pass. This gives them time to move to one side. Of course, they may decide not to move in which case, I would have to be patient. However, I have never had this experience.

In addition, I do like to thank pedestrians who take the trouble to move themselves, their dog, pram or child to give way to me.

That ping behind me tells me when I’m walking on a shared path invites me to move to one side to permit space for a fellow active traveller. I know too that I’m sharing space with a cyclist who cares about my wellbeing as a pedestrian.

The bell is a pleasing addition to both urban and rural sound. Its clear timbre and precision is somewhat like a bird’s alarm call and so triggers alertness in the mind of fellow cyclists and pedestrians.

When I’m on my bike, cyclists have to overtake me on shared spaces. It is rare for the boot to be on the other foot. Sometimes the overtaking is done without warning. At other times, a sharp call, ‘coming on your left’ is occasionally offered. My preferred alerter is the bell. ‘Ah, a fellow, and faster cyclist, is on her way past. Hello, goodbye. Enjoy your ride.’