Coun. Jim Hanson pushes for mandatory bike bells in District of North Vancouver

District of North Vancouver Councillor Jim Hanson is urging the municipality to consider making bells mandatory on all bicycles and e-bikes. In a report that will be discussed by the council on Monday, Hanson wants DNV to draft a bylaw that would make bells compulsory in the district. He calls the devices “a simple yet effective solution to address a range of issues related to safety, visibility and courteous riding practices.”

Bells are not required under British Columbia’s Motor Vehicle Act, and none of the three North Shore municipalities — the District of North Vancouver (DNV), the City of North Vancouver and the District of West Vancouver — include them in their traffic bylaws. Vancouver does as its Street and Traffic Bylaw states that “no person shall ride a bicycle upon a street unless the bicycle is equipped with a bell capable of being used as a warning.”

Hanson is calling upon DNV to lead on in this proposed change.

Hanson’s report outlines specific benefits of a bell requirement:

1. Enhancing safety
   Cyclists often share space with pedestrians on roads, multi-use paths and mountain-bike trails. “A bell provides pedestrians with a chance to move aside before a cyclist reaches them,” the report states, reducing the risk of collisions.

2. Promoting safe overtaking
   On narrow lanes or trails, passing can be unpredictable. A bell gives “an opportunity for the person being overtaken to adjust their position,” improving flow in tight spaces.

3. Enhancing social etiquette
   A polite ring “can help prevent misunderstandings or potential conflicts” in crowded areas, fostering goodwill among riders, walkers and drivers.

4. Improving visibility
   Bells make cyclists “more noticeable, especially during dawn, dusk, or in poorly lit areas,” supplementing lights and reflective gear when sightlines are limited.

If the council supports Hanson’s recommendation, staff will return with bylaw language, enforcement options, and a strategy for lobbying Victoria. “By enhancing social etiquette and improving visibility, bike bells offer an easy-to-implement solution for safer cycling in a variety of environments that exist in the District’s landscape,” Hanson notes.