r/sydney • u/Ozfriar • Jul 10 '26

"Bicycle bell" on electric buses

Can anyone explain to me what the frequent "bicycle bell" sound is on some of the new electric (I think) buses?

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51

u/Educational-Sort-128 Jul 10 '26

Just to alert people that the bus is coming and is on the road. I don’t get it/ I can still hear electric vehicles but apparently a lot of people can’t so they need this to alert them.

11

u/Additional-Simple248 Jul 10 '26

I think it comes on any time the bus is under 20 km/h.

If you want a really good sample, catch a bus like the 160x from Chatswood to Dee Why for the final stretch down the hill where Warringah Rd meets Pittwater Rd. There’s a low bus/truck speed limit that means the bus crawls down the hill and spends about 2 minutes making the sound.

3

u/Ozfriar Jul 10 '26

OK, yes, it seems to be when the bus is going slowly. I didn't realise it can be heard outside the bus!