This article is part of a series called ‘A love letter to…’, where Cycling Weekly writers pour praise on their favourite aspects of cycling. The below content is unfiltered, authentic and has not been paid for.
I did something that felt very retro today – I installed a bell on my bike. It feels odd, for someone who cycles a lot, but I’ve never had a bell on my good bike, the one I do most of my kilometres on. My pub bike used to have a bell, for pootling around town purposes, until, confusingly, it was stolen along with my grips. I never replaced that one, until now too.
There’s not a lot more awkward than trying to get the attention of a stranger in front of you as you’re cycling along – “excuse me!” you might call out, your voice cracking, breath laboured from pedalling – so it’s good news that there is a solution to this: the humble bike bell.
