I’m not really superstitious or particularly religious, but I have a bell… I don’t keep it on my bikes though, I have it on my jacket.
there's lots of trinkets on my jacket, each for different reasons
my old Buell key ring (I took it off the bike key because it flies around in the wind and does a lot more damage to the bike than you would think), an old magic 8-ball key ring (from my old car), a life-cap incase I come off while riding, and a guardian bell that was a gift from a loved one.
At the end of the day she could have given me anything and it would mean the same to me, it’s something I have with me to remind me that someone that cares about me wants me to be safe while riding – no luck or protection from “road demons” or whatever the story of the bell is… the bell is just a “keep safe” gesture from someone that cares about me – so I’m happy to have it with me while riding – whether it a bell, key-ring or patch, make no difference (I do think the bell is pretty cool though!)
At the end of the day, what difference does it make if someone wants to wear one or have one on their bike whatever their belief or reasons – I don’t see the point of taking the piss out of them about it