Safe Speed Forums

Debrett's issues Code of Conduct to cyclists and other towpath users

Debrett's has told cyclists ring their bells to warn pedestrians rather than forcing them aside as part of a new etiquette guide issued to towpath users.

British Waterways, who maintain the nation's canals, approached the high-society expert after receiving complaints from irate pedestrians who claimed that speeding cyclists refuse to slow down as they commute to work causing crashes and collisions by previously peaceful canals.

Now Debrett's, the modern authority on etiquette and taste, has launched a Code of Conduct for Commuters to remind cyclists that pedestrians always have right of way.

In a nod to old-fashioned values the code suggests that all towpath users "should be considerate to each other".

The guide adds: "A smile and a 'thank you' is courteous if someone has let you pass."

It advises cyclists to warn walkers of their approach by using "two tings" of their bicycle bell. It also suggests that those on foot listen out and are ready to move aside to allow bikes to pass.

In addition to offering advice on how towpath users treat each other Debrett's also demands that people never drop litter and that dog walkers always clean up after their pet.

Jo Bryant, an etiquette expert from Debrett's, said: "The towpaths are a lovely escape from the hustle and bustle of the roads and pavements of the city. They should be a more tranquil and relaxing place to travel along.

"But it seems that some people are forgetting their manners and speeding past other people, or refusing to move out of the way. Here at Debrett's we hope that these top tips will be a gentle reminder to towpath users, and encourage a return to more polite and amicable behaviour along waterways."

Debrett's also suggests that at busy times neither cyclists nor pedestrians should wear earphones which might prevent them from hearing the presence of others.

The code warns cyclists that they may have to dismount while going under narrow bridges if someone is already travelling the other way.

In London one accident hot spot is the Regent’s Canal, a route joining East London and the city which is very heavily used by cyclists and walkers particularly at peak times in the early morning and evening.

A spokesman for British Waterways said: "We have seen a huge increase in recent years in the number of people using canals as a means to get to work There was a big spike following the 7/7 bombing in London when people were looking for a different way to travel. As a result we have more people using the canals than ever before."

Britain has more than 2,200 miles of canals with the largest concentration found in London, Manchester and Birmingham.

Britain's canals are used by over 13 million people each year for walking, cycling, angling and boating.

It advises cyclists to warn walkers of their approach by using "two tings" of their bicycle bell. It also suggests that those on foot listen out and are ready to move aside to allow bikes to pass.

I can't imagine buying a new car and immediately removing the horn.

The difference being that there is no legal requirement for a bicycle to have a bell whereas there is legal requirement for a car to have a horn.

In that case maybe it should be law that a bicycle should have a working bell/horn at all times.

And the "Stating the bleedin' obvious" Reward 2010 goes to dcb.

Sorry what? If a racing bike is to be used on the public highway, why shouldn't it have a bell?

I don't see where anyone has suggested that bikes not used on the public highway should have bells.

Are you comparing apples and watermellons again?

Why does it have to be a horn when I can shout louder than one, especially if I get ‘the General’ caught in my zip? I suppose the answer is it’s more distinctive…

This is a nannyish measure and will have no impact whatsoever on road safety. A cyclist can't brake and ring a bell at the same time. Having had a bell fitted wouldn't have stopped that cyclist running into the blind lady's dog. The All Party Cycling Group takes the view that it's a dangerous move. The human voice is a lot louder and clearer than a bell and can be used in an emergency far quicker than a bell. In city centre traffic a bell can be drowned out and it would be better to shout a warning to a pedestrian. It's always much more polite to say 'excuse me' to a pedestrian when you want to get past.
"This law won't make people use bells it will just burden retailers, suppliers and customers with an extra expense. Customers can fit a bell if they want one. The type of bells manufacturers will fit to comply with the law will be cheap and they'll rust quickly and be useless in no time. This law hasn't been thought through.

Nit-picking - the last resort of the nit-picker

This is a nannyish measure and will have no impact whatsoever on road safety. A cyclist can't brake and ring a bell at the same time. Having had a bell fitted wouldn't have stopped that cyclist running into the blind lady's dog. The All Party Cycling Group takes the view that it's a dangerous move. The human voice is a lot louder and clearer than a bell and can be used in an emergency far quicker than a bell. In city centre traffic a bell can be drowned out and it would be better to shout a warning to a pedestrian. It's always much more polite to say 'excuse me' to a pedestrian when you want to get past.
"This law won't make people use bells it will just burden retailers, suppliers and customers with an extra expense. Customers can fit a bell if they want one. The type of bells manufacturers will fit to comply with the law will be cheap and they'll rust quickly and be useless in no time. This law hasn't been thought through.