Kostik

[QUOTE=Mr. Hairy Legs;16654066]You guys are merciless.QUOTE]
Here frightening laughter must be. Yes, of course. I think If I had told you where i'm from, you would have been sure in it.

Apparently we didn't understand each other. I've wanted to say by my post, that airzound is not enought useful, because, for example in this video, it's not gives the result.
Result for me is safe traffic. To be honest, biker had better to THINK HIMSELF about his next actions. If he hopes for some breeeeng maker, he will spend such a valuable seconds. This makes situation is more dangerous than even was before.
Thus, I can't say it's absolutely useless. I've wanted it sometimes and I'm sure that will want many times more in future.

But would I say that it is required for each? Well, I don't know, because I join in this thread.

Beachcycle

I got an airzound recently and am very satisfied with it - I would strongly recommend one to anyone who bikes in traffic, even on bike lanes. A horn can alert other road users to prevent accidents - whether the horn is being used by a car, a bike or even a pedestrian (though hopefully pedestrian infrastructure is good enough that this is unnecessary).

A friend was going to get a bike bell, but when he saw the horn in action, he changed his mind. Other cyclists have seen it and expressed interest and fascination.

Some common scenarios for using it:

Drivers are edging into or out of a street parking spot while you are close behind, and you have cars driving on your left (most common situation).

Drivers are turning through your path and don't see you or underestimate your speed.

Driver is making a right turn, and the bike lane has put you on his right - honk if he shows signs of making the turn while you are going through.

Cars blocking bike lanes at length in non emergency situations.

jfowler85

Take another route.

HumanPower

+1

I ride in the lower mainland and I'd sooner leave the house with no helmet than no airzound. Those common scenarios below are a regular occurance on my route. Drivers pulling out into the street from curb are the most dangerous and the airzound works wonders.

snow_echo_NY

i have often thought of getting an air zound but instead rely on the bell and my voice. i might tho. it's often terrible out there. but the more cyclists are out there commuting the less issue i have. it's typically on the rainy days where there aren't cyclists do i have an issue.

ItsJustMe

I have an airzound, but I probably only use it once a year on average. Just not that much trouble around here.

Beachcycle

I always have mine with me, but don't always have occasion to use it, especially on my main commute, where I've tailored my route to minimize interaction with cars.

It's also a good way to gauge your risk - it's easy to remember how many times you honked.

When I've yelled at errant drivers, they either didn't care, got annoyed, or mocked me in response and continued - if they could hear me at all. The airzound is more likely to stun them into stopping or staying in their lane, as they wonder "what was that?!"

FBinNY 

I ride in Metro NY traffic and have never felt the need for a loud horn. I sometimes have to yell out, and when I do, it works, but those occasions are the exception and not the rule. Rather than needing to make noise, I stay safe by observing and keying into what other drivers are doing.

Thing like pre-empting a pass and/or positioning myself behind (or in front) rather than abeam of cars approaching an intersection prevents right hooks. Comparable road smart actions prevent most of the other stuff people talk about. That doesn't mean I don't sometimes get treated rudely, but such is life in NYC.

Among the arguments for the Airzound above was honking at cars sitting in the bike lane. I don't get that at all. The car is sitting there, and there's no clear and present danger that calls for a warning. Instead you could go around, but apparently some people would rather sit and complain than simply move on with their lives.

BTW- in NYC honking a horn, other than when there's a clear need for a warning or alert, is an "unnecessary noise" violation with a potential stiff fine.

So, this isn't to say that anyone shouldn't buy one if they wish, just that I don't see the need.

Double0757

I use my air horn as to try not to loose my stride. To late of a horn and you brake like you didn't have the horn, too early and the car may not hear it or ignore it, but a well timed horn could make a difference in you continue your stride like no cars on the way. It's an art I haven't fully master. I consider the horn like lights, they are there to help, but they would not avoid a collision of the car that doesn't hear you or decides to ignore you. So you still have to have an avoidance plan, just in case.

joeyduck

I just want to chip in for my comrade. I haven't seen the video but based in descriptions I'm suspecting this is Bridgeport approaching the light at Viking before Knight Street Bridge?

This is my usual route that he is on, despite not viewing the video. The road is perfectly fine to filter along the curb, I've done it hundreds of times. I do it after the light since I enter the road at the light.

The sidewalk after the light over grown, busy, and has a lamp post if I recall. It took me six years to get them to clean the sidewalk that was left with about 18 inches of useable path to avoid the blackberry brambles. The after the brambles the sidewalk floods six inches deep in moderate to heavy rain. After which there is a large patch of road debris and sand.

Filtering at this area saves me twenty minutes on my commute. One day it took me forty minutes from the stop light to the bridge slip road in my car. I've also never had issues but at times I can see why an air horn would be necessary.

joeyduck

@Mr. Hairy Legs.

Can an you pm me a link to that ride? Or a link to other recent videos so I can live vicariously though you?

Mr. Hairy Legs

Hey @joeyduck! I cleaned house on my yt account sometime last year and I think this one must have been included in the purge. I should really get my GoPro out again soon.

You're correct that this was Bridgeport from No. 6 to the bridge. Our office moved last year and I'm finding I never take that route anymore. But, yeah, you have to filter there on a bike, it's as simple as that.

Cheers