Ka_Jun

There was a thread on here where the OP had taken a whole bunch of pics of folks riding by on bikes, really cool. There was some discussion about what one Clyde had in his mouth and it seemed that consensus was that it was a whistle. Yesterday, I saw a commuter on an old hardtail Huffy with a chain around his neck riding with what looked to be a red plastic whistle in his mouth. Do you see this, often or know of other commuters/cyclists who use whistles? If it works, hey, but I thought it might distract you/impair breathing, at times, etc.

lil brown bat

It's not common now. It used to be a messenger thing (loud alert that doesn't require use of hands).

KitN

I've only run across one person using a whistle in NYC in the last calendar year. Personally, I'd use a whistle too if I could find one. I went to two sporting goods stores and they didn't have a single one. I have a "ding-ding" handlebar bell. I'd use the whistle along with the bell. Heck I'd like an Airzounds too. Sometimes you really need that much to get people's attention.

Bolo Grubb

I use a Storm whistle and only put it in my mouth for a few problem intersections just in case. Loudest thing I have found and easy to use.

Pinyon

It is an old-school thing, from the time when there were no bike lanes anywhere in the U.S. Most people that I knew in the 1980s that rode regularly had either a police whistle or a CO2 horn to help keep from becoming dead. They are loud, and work really well.

I don't carry one anymore, because it is so bike friendly here, but would get one if we moved someplace where the attitudes towards cyclists is more negative. They work.

The Big Wheel

price?

demoncyclist

Mass. cycling laws actually prohibit using a whistle as a signalling device- use a bell or horn instead. That being said, I still have my ACME Thunderer from my soccer ref days. Damned loud!

AlmostTrick

I have the storm whistle and carry it on rides sometimes. It's super loud and does get attention. I attached it to one of those retractable door access card holders and it clips on my waist band. Like Bolo, I only stick it in my mouth at busy intersections. It also works good on the MUP because you can signal from quite a distance and not startle the walkers. I bet it would be useful for scarring off dogs if needed, but I never had to try this.

sumguy

whistles and sirens not allowed in Ohio either but doubt anybody would say anything. I have the storm whistle as well but haven't bothered carrying it.

Pscyclepath

Whistles are illegal in most places, simply because they can be confused with police signals. Bikes are usually required to have bells in places where some sort of pedestrian warning device is required. Of course you also have your voice; and an AirZound horn can be useful for those folks too deeply sunken into their earphones and iPods. Works well in traffic, too...

Bat22

I have a Coleman camping whistle hanging on a pack shoulder strap.
I can't resist a whistle that has a thermometer,
compass and magnifying glass. Doesn't matter that I may never use it.

nahh

I don't use one, but when and If i move to a less bike-friendly urban area I will, definitely.

noglider 

Cyclists used whistles commonly in New York City in the late 70's and early 80's. It was illegal then, but law enforcement was lax in many ways back then.

I've heard warnings that you could accidentally swallow the whistle, though I don't know that the actual chances of that are.

JanMM

I'd like to see a verified report of that ever happening, anywhere!

Whistles are illegal in Indiana, too, as I understand it.

Jean Beetham Smith 

You can go to a hunting/fishing store and get a crow call, usually with the varmint calls. They work like whistles, but since the sound is a crow call it can't be confused with a police whistle. They are loud enough that at close range peds and drivers do notice them. Even if they recognize the crow's call, it is unexpected near them.

CliftonGK1

If you want a loud whistle, check out a Fox 40. It's the rescue whistle of choice for outback, out of bounds, and backcountry campers.