Volunteer Hours Logged Since 2011:
Education
July 2, 2025
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Jay Marion
There is room for everyone to enjoy the multi-use trails in the Angeles National Forest. Riding with a bell is the best way to help promote an enjoyable trail experience for everyone.
Even the most courteous riders who slow down, say hello, and yield to foot traffic can be surprised to encounter other users on trails with limited sight lines and blind corners. Hikers and runners may intend to let mountain bikers pass, but might not hear or see the riders approaching. Horseback riders on popular equestrian trails can’t easily turn around to see trail users from every direction.
In all of these cases, a mountain bike bell can prevent potential trail conflict before it begins. When you use a bell, other trail users can hear you coming long before they see you. It communicates your presence and your good will. When paired with a friendly “hello!”, a bell lets other users know that you see them, and that you have no plans to run them off the trail. On trails that are wide enough, hikers may be able to step aside before you approach them, preventing a trail conflict altogether. When passing hikers, offer a greeting and let them know how many other riders are behind you.
Countless trail runners, hikers, equestrians, and other mountain bikers have expressed gratitude to riders who use bells.
MWBA believes strongly that everyone should be riding with a bell on multi-use trails. Bell use is especially important on the narrow, popular, and often limited sightline trails in the Angeles National Forest.
In the past decade, MWBA has donated over 5 thousand bear bells to local shops, trail users, and high school MTB teams. Our signature free MWBA bell attaches with velcro to the handlebar or frame, and can be “silenced” during climbs. When descending, the strap is released and rings freely. To pick up a free bell, join us at any of our volunteer days or events, or ask about them at your local bike shop.
Our free MWBA bells are great, but there are more robust and louder versions available on the market. Longtime MWBA supporters Timber MTB bell offer a tidy bell design that is just as easy to silence as your dropper post. For those who prefer a handmade in the USA product, MWBA sponsor Awareness Bell make the best sounding and best looking bike bell on the market.
However you decide to ring, don’t leave home without a bell on your bike! And remember, a bell compliments trail courtesy, it doesn’t replace it. Always slow down when passing by other users, yield to uphill traffic, and remember that hikers and equestrians have the right of way.
Our bell program has been made possible by generous donations from members as well as our Pancake Breakfast fundraiser.
