New whistle
#26
Every lane is a bike lane
Originally posted by mwmw
In the first place, we shouldn't be on the same path/walkway/sidewalk as pedestrians. We belong on the road. On those rare emergency occassions when we are forced to use the sidewalk for a short distance, it is unlikely that we'll have a whistle around our neck. I find the secret to not scaring pedestrians is to give them plenty of notice. "On your left" in a non-threatening voice from a half a block away works good about 99% of the time.
In the first place, we shouldn't be on the same path/walkway/sidewalk as pedestrians. We belong on the road. On those rare emergency occassions when we are forced to use the sidewalk for a short distance, it is unlikely that we'll have a whistle around our neck. I find the secret to not scaring pedestrians is to give them plenty of notice. "On your left" in a non-threatening voice from a half a block away works good about 99% of the time.
Chris
__________________
I am clinically insane. I am proud of it.
That is all.
I am clinically insane. I am proud of it.
That is all.
#27
Sumanitu taka owaci
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 8,945
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
My whistle is for cars first, because that's where I ride. But I don't mind letting a pedestrian know they are about to step out in front of me. This happened this morning. I was in the right lane, going about 25 mph. A bunch of school kids were horsing around on the sidewalk and one of them, laughing with his back turned to me, jumped out into the street in my path. But I saw it happening and blew my whistle. He zig-zagged right back onto the sidewalk, saving both of us a possible trip to the hospital. It was a close call.
Also today (this afternoon), a truck started out of a sidestreet into my path, his view of me obstructed by tree branches. My whistle made him stop and look.
The point is, an adequate sound device is important. Imagine a car without a horn (I could dream about that one, for sure.) The problem is that most bicycle sound devices are toys, or are only loud enough to alert a nearby pedestrian. We really need something to put us on par with motor vehicles.
I may try that compressed air horn thingy sometime. But a whistle is fine for me.
Also today (this afternoon), a truck started out of a sidestreet into my path, his view of me obstructed by tree branches. My whistle made him stop and look.
The point is, an adequate sound device is important. Imagine a car without a horn (I could dream about that one, for sure.) The problem is that most bicycle sound devices are toys, or are only loud enough to alert a nearby pedestrian. We really need something to put us on par with motor vehicles.
I may try that compressed air horn thingy sometime. But a whistle is fine for me.
#28
Mr. Cellophane
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: New Orleans, LA
Posts: 3,037
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Pete, are you using a regular police type whistle?
Do you keep it in your mouth all the time? Those sound like some quick reactions.
Hey, Technogirl, I almost got something called an Air Zound. It is an air horn that you pump up with a bike pump. Supposedly good for quite a few toots per charge and as loud as a truck's air horn.
Do you keep it in your mouth all the time? Those sound like some quick reactions.
Hey, Technogirl, I almost got something called an Air Zound. It is an air horn that you pump up with a bike pump. Supposedly good for quite a few toots per charge and as loud as a truck's air horn.
__________________
If it ain't broke, mess with it anyway!
If it ain't broke, mess with it anyway!
#29
Devilmaycare Cycling Fool
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Wynnum, Australia
Posts: 3,819
Bikes: 1998 Cannondale F700
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm thinking about getting a motorcycle horn from the wreckers and wiring it up to the battery in the headlight I am building. If errant ped/motorists think it's a motor vehicle making the sound it should really grab their attention.
#30
Every lane is a bike lane
Originally posted by RainmanP
Pete, are you using a regular police type whistle?
Do you keep it in your mouth all the time? Those sound like some quick reactions.
Pete, are you using a regular police type whistle?
Do you keep it in your mouth all the time? Those sound like some quick reactions.
Chris
__________________
I am clinically insane. I am proud of it.
That is all.
I am clinically insane. I am proud of it.
That is all.
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Kansas City, MO/Overland Park, KS
Posts: 206
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I like the air horn.
When I'm in an LBS, I'll look at the bells they have. I usually give them a little ding, and then look at the shop guy and chuckle. They are a joke. Pedestrians might be able to hear those, and not even as well or as direct as just saying something to them - "Hey!" "On your left!"
Air horn all the way.
Jonathan
When I'm in an LBS, I'll look at the bells they have. I usually give them a little ding, and then look at the shop guy and chuckle. They are a joke. Pedestrians might be able to hear those, and not even as well or as direct as just saying something to them - "Hey!" "On your left!"
Air horn all the way.
Jonathan
#32
Slow Moving Vehicle
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Norwood, MA
Posts: 1,068
Bikes: Felt F-70, Terry Madeleine, Novara Safari fully customized by me
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Air Zounds are good. I have one on each bike. They are great in the warm months. In the winter, when it is really cold, you have to pump them up extra, and be careful of all the plastic parts breaking. I'd give them overall good marks, but Allister's idea may be the thing for winter riding, after all, what's another pound or two?
#33
Sumanitu taka owaci
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 8,945
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally posted by RainmanP
Pete, are you using a regular police type whistle?
Do you keep it in your mouth all the time? Those sound like some quick reactions.
Pete, are you using a regular police type whistle?
Do you keep it in your mouth all the time? Those sound like some quick reactions.
I keep it in my teeth always. It's a part of me!
But, I am a bit on the strange side.