RonK wrote:queequeg wrote:in terms of percentages, I get around 60% of pedal who either can't hear the bell due to earphones or traffic noise, or they simply choose to ignore it. on more than one occasion I have been dinging the bell on approach until I am adjacent to the pedestrian and they still haven't heard me, then as I crawl past at 6km/h they jump 6 ft in the air from fright.
You need to take into account that everyone's hearing degrades with age and the higher frequencies (such as a bicycle bell makes) are simply inaudible to many.
Perhaps the earphones have damaged all the teenagers hearing, as that is the age group I have most trouble with. The older folks I rarely have issues with, just the occasional daydreamer.