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-   -   Why we all need an Airzound (https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/941755-why-we-all-need-airzound.html)

Mr. Hairy Legs 04-05-14 11:24 PM


Originally Posted by CrankyOne (Post 16645486)
This thread should be 'Why we need decent bicycling infrastructure.'

Haha - no kidding. This was actually an alternate route for me, not my daily, and I feel sorry for those that do it every day. The shortest way home for me is actually pretty relaxing by comparison.

catonec 04-05-14 11:43 PM

no body needs an air -zound.

Cyclosaurus 04-05-14 11:57 PM

Picked up an air horn at a garage sale for less than a buck. No batteries required.

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3726/...2b279639_z.jpg

Dahon.Steve 04-06-14 10:46 PM

I will say that the OP is taking alot of risks. I know that he's skilled but why not use the sidewalk at 7-10 mph instead of taking those risks? It seems safer with no foot traffic.

Mr. Hairy Legs 04-07-14 08:08 AM


Originally Posted by Dahon.Steve (Post 16648250)
I will say that the OP is taking alot of risks. I know that he's skilled but why not use the sidewalk at 7-10 mph instead of taking those risks? It seems safer with no foot traffic.

There is no sidewalk.

jfowler85 04-07-14 11:25 AM


Originally Posted by fietsbob (Post 16644049)
and then the CHP on another motorcycle also splits the lane and gives you a fat citation and court date to appear.

Splitting lanes is legal in CA.

fietsbob 04-07-14 11:29 AM

wasn't then .. got the vehicle code number for that?

achoo 04-07-14 11:38 AM


Originally Posted by Mr. Hairy Legs (Post 16648843)
There is no sidewalk.

Actually, there seems to be a sidewalk where the "incident" happened.

But it's going to be a lot safer to be riding in traffic than on that sidewalk with all its vision blocks. Way too easy for cars to pull right in front of you both from the street and from the side. Nevermind the fact no one is expecting anything going even just 7-10 mph on a sideWALK.

Mr. Hairy Legs 04-07-14 11:53 AM


Originally Posted by achoo (Post 16649697)
Actually, there seems to be a sidewalk where the "incident" happened.

But it's going to be a lot safer to be riding in traffic than on that sidewalk with all its vision blocks. Way too easy for cars to pull right in front of you both from the street and from the side. Nevermind the fact no one is expecting anything going even just 7-10 mph on a sideWALK.

You're correct, there is a sidewalk after that light, but not before. Cyclists have no choice but to work their way through traffic (I have never once seen a cyclist NOT filter here in slow traffic - that would be really weird), and then it seems pretty silly to suddenly jump onto a sidewalk which often has pedestrians standing there, waiting for the bus. We do, however, eventually end up on the sidewalk to go over the bridge proper.

rhm 04-07-14 12:21 PM

The video did nothing to convince me everyone needs an airzound, but in general I'd agree it's a good thing to have. I have one on the folding bike I ride in the city. Nonetheless, I don't have one on any other bike. For a lot of purposes your plain old "brrrrinnngg brrriinnnnggg" bike bell is better. Pedestrians can ignore the Airzound; it's ****ing loud, but it's not a sound pedestrians understand.

jfowler85 04-07-14 12:27 PM


Originally Posted by Leisesturm (Post 16644307)
The FAIL point of this thread is that the o.p. extrapolates that because THEY are so fearful in traffic, and so lacking in defensive riding ability, that this implicates the whole of the cycling community by extension.

The fail point of this thread is that you have used a plural pronoun where you should have used a singular pronoun. The fail point for me is where I fail to see the neither the extrapolation nor the implication you mention. The fail point for you is in not using constructive criticism.

jfowler85 04-07-14 12:32 PM


Originally Posted by fietsbob (Post 16649652)
wasn't then .. got the vehicle code number for that?

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl655/mc.../abilities.htm

Do a ctr+s for lane splitting.

And by ctr+s I mean ctr+f.

fietsbob 04-07-14 12:52 PM

Its better now I moved north away from the SF Bay Bubble.

Kostik 04-07-14 01:05 PM


Originally Posted by Mr. Hairy Legs (Post 16643887)
got his attention immediately.

well, why do you think so? Personally I have not seen any changes in his behavior.

I suggest these devices are useful to signal to other traffic members much before time when you have to made decision about your actions. For example in this movie I've not seen moments, in which this device is useful. If you had not used that, would nothing have changed.
This device is better, if car (another bike, bus, ship, ocean liner, Statue of Liberty) in more than 10 meters from you. And if you prefer to turn and ride around this car, why do you need it?

rumrunn6 04-07-14 01:48 PM

what a horrible road to ride on. I think you guys might consider training those cars to respect your right of way on the right side so that they leave you some room. I'm not totally opposed to some exceptions but that video shows a lot of weaving and if that's the only way to ride that road, someone is gonna get squished and it won't be pretty

rumrunn6 04-07-14 01:51 PM


Originally Posted by Cyclosaurus (Post 16645636)
Picked up an air horn at a garage sale for less than a buck. No batteries required.

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3726/...2b279639_z.jpg

good setup - where did you get that retaining strap?

Cyclosaurus 04-07-14 01:54 PM


Originally Posted by rumrunn6 (Post 16650115)
good setup - where did you get that retaining strap?

They are Quirky bungee hooks: http://www.amazon.com/Quirky-BND-1-C...quirky+bungees

Ball bungees also work great for this kind of thing. I have a bag each of 6" and 8" ball bungees that I use to quick-affix stuff to my bikes.

Turtle Speed 04-08-14 12:12 AM

Next video I see where an Airzound prevents an accident will be my first one.
Seems like Airzounds are mostly used by bicyclists who wish to join the game of commuter frustration (or road rage).

Kostik 04-08-14 01:36 PM

I don't be annoying, but what did airzound change in this video?
Has anybody understood?

Mr. Hairy Legs 04-08-14 01:45 PM


Originally Posted by Kostik (Post 16653279)
I don't be annoying, but what did airzound change in this video?
Has anybody understood?

Airzound didn't change anything in this video. You've completely missed the point, which apparently I didn't make clear enough (or you haven't actually read any of this thread).

megalowmatt 04-08-14 05:14 PM


Originally Posted by Mr. Hairy Legs (Post 16653312)
Airzound didn't change anything in this video. You've completely missed the point, which apparently I didn't make clear enough (or you haven't actually read any of this thread).

I've read the entire thread and watched the video several times. I kind of agree with Kostik in that I personally didn't see anything change in what the driver was doing as a result of the short blast from the airzound. I don't see anything that shows you "got his attention immediately".

Maybe it translated better by being there personally.

fietsbob 04-08-14 05:25 PM

Air Zounds heck , something as Loud as Godzilla is required if the widows are up and the CD player is cranked up.

Mr. Hairy Legs 04-08-14 06:58 PM

I dunno. Maybe he didn't notice it at all.

You guys are merciless. Next time I'm posting this stuff in A&S. :p

Also, I changed the original post to be more factual. Is there any way I can change the thread title as well?

Shahmatt 04-08-14 07:47 PM


Originally Posted by Turtle Speed (Post 16651518)
Next video I see where an Airzound prevents an accident will be my first one.
Seems like Airzounds are mostly used by bicyclists who wish to join the game of commuter frustration (or road rage).

Being heard with the Airzound! - YouTube

We drive on the left side of the road in Singapore.

The chap was pulling out and my horn stopped him on his tracks. Accident prevented.

Mark Stone 04-08-14 08:22 PM

I'm not sure that I would use a loud horn in the traffic situation depicted in the OP's video, but I would use it from time to time on neighborhood streets. For example, if you're riding down a street and a car looks like he's ready to back out of a driveway in front of you, or someone pulling out in front of you at an intersection where you have the right of way, a short tap on a loud horn might be appropriate. If I got one, that would be its application, for me anyway.


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