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New whistle

Old 08-14-01, 05:35 AM
  #26  
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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.
You are 100% right. I was thinking of a whistle as possibly being a useful device in getting the attention of distracted motorists (there are a lot of them around here, especially during the tourist season). Maybe it just wouldn't be loud enough?

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Old 08-14-01, 04:13 PM
  #27  
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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.
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Old 08-14-01, 06:14 PM
  #28  
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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.
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Old 08-14-01, 07:00 PM
  #29  
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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.
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Old 08-14-01, 09:36 PM
  #30  
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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.

Was just wondering the same thing myself.

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Old 08-15-01, 07:10 AM
  #31  
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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
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Old 08-15-01, 05:58 PM
  #32  
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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?
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Old 08-15-01, 07:06 PM
  #33  
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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.
I use a sports whistle, metal with a rubber mouthpiece cover. $3.00.

I keep it in my teeth always. It's a part of me!

But, I am a bit on the strange side.
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