Bike bell and mirror for the city

Why a bell and a mirror in the city?

Urban traffic increases situations where you need to make yourself known: pedestrians crossing a bike lane without looking, scooters, children on a shared pavement, a car door opening in front of you. A quick ring of a bell is often enough to avoid contact. The mirror shows the faster cars, scooters, and bikes coming up behind, especially when you're passing a car parked double or turning left. On an electric bike, which can arrive quickly and in silence, these two accessories are even more important.

The bell, mandatory on every bike

As noted by service-public.gouv.fr, the Highway Code requires every bike to have a bell that can be heard at least 50 metres away, and it prohibits the use of any other sound signal. No bike is exempt on public roads, not even a child's bike. Before you buy, make sure the sound carries well despite street noise: a bell that's too quiet doesn’t do its job during peak times.

Ding-dong, ping, or mini: which bell for a city bike?

• Ding-dong: a large bell struck by a hammer, with a deep and prolonged sound that stands out from engine noise; this is the bell used on Dutch bikes and vintage-style bikes.
• Ping: a small spring bell, with a high and brief sound, that is easily heard without being startling.
• Mini bell: discreet, for sporty city bikes or handlebars that are already cluttered with controls.
• Children's bell: lightweight, colourful, and easy to operate with a little thumb.

On a city handlebar, the bell should be positioned near the grip, where the diameter is usually 22.2 mm, so you can ring it with your thumb without letting go of the brake. Make sure it doesn’t interfere with the gear controls or the display of an electric bike.

What mirror for a city bike?

In France, you pass on the left: it’s on this side that a single mirror is mounted. A clamp model fixes near the grip, while an end handlebar model stays more discreet. Folding mirrors tuck in along the handlebars to park the bike in a narrow space or slide it into a lift. A larger mirror widens the field of vision, useful on a cargo bike or a wide electric bike. For fast electric bikes, there are models approved for these speeds. Adjust the mirror while sitting on the saddle, hands on the grips.

Other safety equipment in the city

To be seen as much as heard, focus on urban bike lighting; indicators signal your changes in direction, while reflective accessories bounce back the light from car headlights. Locks protect the bike when parked. The whole lot is summarized on the safety and visibility page; the mirrors and bells page also presents models for road and mountain biking.

Which brands of bells and mirrors to choose?

Granite Design offers the Cricket, a bell with two sounds: a strike for a clear ring, or the dome pressed down for a continuous chime caused by vibrations; it tightens with a 3 mm screw on a 35 mm handlebar, with spacers for 31.8 and 22.2 mm.

Basil, a Dutch bike accessories brand based in Ulft, offers ding-dong bells with designs from its Boheme, Portland, and Wanderlust collections to match bike bags.

AirBell hides an Apple AirTag in a bell; the Pro version has its own tracker, locatable via the Apple Localiser network or that of Google, and an Android version completes the range.

Busch & Müller features its Cycle Star mirrors in folding versions, which tuck away for parking or transporting the bike and then return to position, and in a larger 80 mm diameter for a wider field of vision; its mirrors are protected against shattering.

Bells and mirrors on sale

When a range changes, its bells and mirrors go on clearance in urban destocking; new models just arrived are waiting to be discovered in the new arrivals. An original bell is also a great idea for a small gift for the holidays.

Frequently asked questions

Is a bell required on a bike?

Yes. Every bike that rides on public roads must have a bell or a sound that can be heard at least 50 metres away. Check it regularly: a cracked bell or a worn spring greatly reduces the sound's range.

Which bell to choose for an electric bike?

A bell with a powerful sound, as an electric bike approaches pedestrians faster. Place it within thumb's reach without hindering the assistance control or display; on a crowded handlebar, a mini bell or a bell that hugs the handlebar fits more easily.

Can a bell help find a stolen bike?

Some bells hide a tracker or an AirTag under the bell, invisible to a thief. The bike can then be located on a smartphone using the manufacturer's location networks. It's not a lock: always secure the frame to a fixed point.

Do you need a mirror on both sides?

A left-side mirror is sufficient in most cases. A second mirror, on the right, is helpful on two-way paths and when other cyclists overtake you on the pavement side, especially with a wide bike or a trailer.

What bell for a child?

A lightweight bell, with a soft trigger, fixed close enough to the grip to be operated without letting go of the handlebars. Colourful designs encourage children to use it; check that it fits the thinner diameter of some children's handlebars.