I am a little shocked by some of the comments here about bells and reflectors. First off, trust me when I say that I agree with you that, on the one hand, bells won't to make that much of a difference in NYC streets when you're dealing with cars.
On the other hand, it will make a world of difference for pedestrians. I am a cyclist and a pedestrian, and I hate it when a cyclists yell or even call out "on your left!" rather than use a bell which is what they should be doing according to the law. Whenever I walk the GW bridge and cyclists yell out "on your left!" it is really scary because I'm usually in a calm, stoic mood. I know I'm not the only one here who feels this way. I've seen a couple at a park get totally startled when a cyclist called out "on your left!".
If you have no idea what this feels like then just imagine you are at home alone and you are in total relaxation. Imagine now someone suddenly banging on your window. That startle response is what many pedestrians feel when you call out "OYL!"
Furthermore, calling out "OYL" is a term that many non-cyclists and even some cyclists may not understand. I know that many years before I started riding, I thought "OYL" meant move to my left so that I can let the cyclist pass on my right.
Many other times, a pedestrian may not even hear what you said and will make the mistake of turning around as your make your approach. I know it seems impossible, but it happens. Just read this story.
UPDATE (3): Woman Dies After Being Hit By Cyclist | ARLnow.com
Listen. Just use a bell. It's cheap, it's small, it doesn't really add any significant weight to your bike (if that worries you), it keeps everyone safe, and it's the law. I don't see any real reason why you guys shouldn't put one on.
I didn't know using reflectors were the law also, but if they are then why not??? I mean, it's not like NYC/NJ is asking you to register your bike and pay insurance and registration fees or anything. They want you to use a bell, reflectors, lights, and a mirror all of which I believe are in the law. But more importantly, it keeps everyone safe. I'm not saying I'm pro-government and we should do whatever they say. Yet, I just don't see the downside when it comes to asking us to use these safety measures.
Bells, lights, mirrors, and reflectors are small, inexpensive items designed to keep you safe and PREVENT you from getting into an accident. Unfortunately, I have seem many cyclists ignore one or usually all of these items on their bikes even though the law requires them to be used. Helmets on the other hand are not required by law, and yet some cyclists will go out of their way to buy $200 carbon-fiber helmets just to protect their heads WHEN an accident occurs. I don't know about you, but I'd rather not get into an accident in the first place and do whatever I can to prevent that from ever happening. Helmets are not a preventative measure, yet cyclists are gungho about wearing one every time you get on your bike. It's almost to the point that some even look down on others and judge them for being unsafe just because they are not wearing a helmet, yet they admit to not using any of the above-mentioned LEGALLY required safety items. I've seen many of these comments on RBR forums (examples threads below). Bells are required. Helmets are not. In fact, some even suggest that wearing helmets is correlated with accidents.
Wearing a helmet puts cyclists at risk, suggests research
Don't take what I say the wrong way. I'm not advocating everyone to get rid of their helmets. I wear a helmet every day I ride my bike. I am just saying that we should use bells, lights, mirrors, and reflectors as well. I still don't get why people avoid getting them on their bikes. And although I harped on the law and such, don't just do it because it's the law. Know that it also keeps you and others safe.
Finally, I think many of you guys have been cycling way too long to know what the other side actually thinks of us. I have been doing it for a long time too, but I'm guessing it's probably not as long as some of you. Because of this, I know that a lot of non-cyclists think we really arrogant and snotty when it comes to our rights on the road. Our refusal to use bells, mirrors, reflectors, etc. only makes us look arrogant nad make others think we're above the law. Non-cyclists (like this judge) will probably have no sympathy for people like that. It's sort of like having a motorist refusing to use his or her turn signal. It's the law that they do so, but just like a cyclist not using his or her bell, the motorist will most likely never get ticketed for it. Yet, it's still a stupid decision on the motorist's part.
These people are really adamant about wearing helmets:
http://forums.roadbikereview.com/ge...on/why-do-people-not-wear-helmets-289133.html
http://forums.roadbikereview.com/co...r-bike-helmet-when-commuting-work-323464.html
http://forums.roadbikereview.com/general-cycling-discussion/who-does-not-wear-helmet-302266.html