...

That's what I was gonna say! 120 DB at the press of a button! Great when your out of breath, lol!

Oddly I was nearly right hooked while riding to get/order mine, and it was the first time it happened to me. Sometimes Irony is just annoying! I invoked the loud yell backup system. =D

The Air Zound is good for keeping dogs away too! Can't attest to it yet, but read enough other comments on this site that say it works I went out and bought one, should be here today or tomarrow I bet.

ok

I hate when that happens... I'm never sure which one of me should go first! :P

I should have clarified that; I did not have a stop sign so I had the right of way. I slow down in that spot in anticipation of drivers not stopping at their stop sign. I do move all the way over to the left when I'm turning left. I'm going to try practicing more with hand signals because I know I'm really bad at that. I'm somehow better at riding one handed with my left hand on the bars than with the right so my hand signals are usually very short and wobbly.

I have one and I'm really happy with it. It stops motorists dead in their tracks.

today i was holding the lane on a 45 mph blind curve. some dude decided to pass by giving me the whole lane, but nearly had a head-on with another car. i would feel much guilt if an id10t driver caused a wreck while trying to pass me.

to the op: a well-placed middle finger works well (sometimes)

Another thing to try is while you are making eye contact and even if you are slowing down, make a big deal of pedaling furiously - like you are speeding up. If the motorist thinks that you are easing up then she will pull out in front of you.

I feel guilty doing what amounts to playing chicken but dumbass cagers do it to each other so other than the fear of death I don't see the difference so much.

Motorists are like dogs. If you act like the Alpha, they'll treat you like the Alpha.

Actually it's your drop-dead gorgeous good looks that do that, darlin. :love:

Like I used to tell HH when he'd trot out this theory...most motorists are not paying enough attention to you to notice you at all, let alone notice if you are pedaling or not or how fast. Indeed, even if you get out of the saddle, many think you are doing so to stop, not to go faster...much like a jockey standing in the stirrups.

The point - what you think you are communicating may not be what the other guy perceives you are communicating, so communicate in ways that are as universally understandable as possible...and don't assume the other party got the message without some confirmation from them that they understand.. ;)

My brother.

And whack the fenders.

+1E6

Arguing with HH was an exercise in futility anyway. Kind of like arguing with a cat, but far more irritating.

I don't assume that they get it but I try to signal and communicate. I also communicate in other ways - hand signals yells etc. In other words, when it is necessary I take control of the situation and tell the drivers what I am doing and (many times) what they should do. Around here (central Pa) it works - it's not just a theory. Maybe the people around here are nicer that other places but I doubt it.

+ 1
Be predictable and take control of the situation. They appreciate it.

Once someone started to pass me on a blind curve. I could see an oncoming car but he could not. I moved further to the left and signaled "STOP" behind me with a flat hand. Then I made a "Get back" gesture. He got the idea and pulled back behind me - just in time. I was signaling him but was preparing my escape route off the road in case he did not listen.

When he lateer passed me he waved a "thanks".

Yep, yep, yep. Did the same thing a couple of weeks ago (cresting a hill rather than a curve)--same result. :D

I always puff up like a lizard at intersections. I stand up on my pedals and grab my top grips. It slows me down but I know they see me.

Cars don't see you. Repeat. They don't see you. Even when they do, they don't register you as being significant enough to change their behavior, so you have to ride defensively. Be bright, visible, and assert your position, but keep your safety as the #1 priority (because it is).

I've got flashers front and rear, have a high-viz bike and jersey...and an AirZound. I see people trying to RT on red into my lane when I'm approaching the intersection, and even when I make eye contact, they think that I'm moving 10MPH, not 20-25 when I'm really moving. (On one downhill section, I'm going 35). So, whenever I see a car approaching and likely to cross my path, I've got a thumb poised on the AZ to make sure that if they don't see me, they're going to definitely hear me.

When cresting a hill, I'll stand up to see over the top. I've gotten used to holding my left hand up in a "STOP" gesture when I see oncoming traffic, but I've just as often given them a rolling "move around" gesture when I see that the way is clear. That extra 2 feet of vertical view when I'm standing up on the pedals comes in handy.

When I'm at the front of a LT lane and have already made it to the middle of the intersection to turn left, I'll also give them a "come on" gesture to have them turn inside to the inner lane (I'm going for the outer, since it's onto a 4-lane divided street). I've never had any problems with people swinging wide, and a lot of them seem to appreciate keeping traffic moving through the light.

+1. A little judicious assertiveness and a ringing bell usually do the trick for me. Sometimes though I wish I had an Air-Zounds.

Thise is hilarious (biology geek here). It should work well, too.

That actually does help. I tend to stand up on my bike at times while approaching busy intersections or when I see a motorist that I am unsure if they have seen me. Makes one bigger and easier to see.

I love riding standing up and leaning on my top grips.

I think of it like taking your foot off the pedal when you ride through an intersection. They teach you that in driving school in high school, remember? Not that most people do it, but it's the same deal. The slower you go the more reaction time you have and the more control you have.


If the motorist is on the right turning into the road i'm on I move a little to the right of the lane and look them in the eye from a standing position. If they are turning from oncoming traffic I keep the lane and pedal a bit faster to get through while standing.

Also, lizards rock.

http://divaboo.info/img/Frill-necked_Lizard.jpg

True, be predictable and you will be treated more equally.

Signalling = good. Depending on others to understand the meaning of those signals...not so much.

In Lancaster, PA (eastern, I know) I once signaled a left turn...the motorist who then tried to pass me on the left must have thought I was airing out my pits! :notamused:

But what counts is what works for you. ;)

You and your silver tongue, Chip... :p

I will say this: the woman yakking on her cell phone while driving and oblivious to what is around her will hear the Airzounds over her engrossing phone conversation. :thumb:

I have a bell for the civilized folks. :)

Drivers are ignorant, unaware or agressive. I had a woman get out of her car and yell at me because I got in her way as she was trying to make a right accross a bike lane. Not sure what the laws are most places but here cars must yield to bikes in the bike lanes. Most people use the bike lanes as turning (or parking) lanes regardless of bike traffic.

These threads make me sad. I must be the exception. On my ride to work. I pass the friendly old ladies on their porches who wave to me and say good morning. Daily, I have cagers yield the right of way to me. (even when they had the right of way, not me.) Today I had someone stop in midlane and wave me accross the intersection. (I had the stop sign.) I find the folks I share my commute with to be very considerate.

Where are you located at? I think I may need to move. :p