Airzounds - more trouble than they're worth?

[swee'pea99]

I don't think anyone who's come across my blatherings on the 'Assaulted' thread could have any doubt where I stand on that specific incident, but one thing it does highlight is the part played by Airzounds. I'm really not sure these devices do anyone any favours.

The Highway Code says horns should have one and only one use - to let other people know you're there. But looking at the video that kicked off the whole Assaulted incident, whereas if I'd been cut up like that, I would've rolled my eyes, muttered to myself about tosspot drivers, and got on my way, I suspect that if I'd bought a big horn that, as well as informing other road-users of my existence, can also be used to shout "Oi, you TOSSER!', I might be inclined to think 'now would be an ideal time to use it'.

Drivers, as we know, also use their horns in this way. The difference, of course, being that drivers are well protected by a metal box.

I know Airzounds have their fans, (you only have to go to Amazon to find 305 users giving them a near-5 star rating) but personally I suspect they're more trouble than they're worth - that while they give cyclists a good vent for letting off steam, in terms of actual physical risk, they *increase* the danger to cyclists rather than reduce it. I'd be interested to hear any views, dissenting or otherwise.

(Stands back and covers ears...)

 

[Matthew_T]

Since I got my Airzound, I have been shouting a lot less and as a result, been a lot calmer. It does work as a deterrent to people who are just about to chance a manouvre.
It is also incredibly useful on shared use paths. As an example, I had caught up to a cyclists on a MTB on a shared use path on my commute home on Tuesday. I noticed some peds ahead so just stayed behind the cyclist. However, I realised that the cyclist didnt have a bell and wasnt calling to the peds, so I gave a little toot of my horn. The peds saw, moved over, and we both thanked them.
Then as I passed the cyclist, he said that he needed one of those (horn).

Around here it isnt really frowned on. Cyclists have said that they would like one and peds have said that it gets their attention, so it does work (in the right circumstances).

 

[ianrauk]

[QUOTE 2435027, member: 259"]There is absolutely no way I would ever use one on a shared path.[/quote]

ftfy

Can't be doing with all that crap on my bike.
My voice is my airzound.

 

[Theseus]

Mine is sitting somewhere in the parts bin.

Found it better to concentrate my hands on controlling the bike while I used my voice to warn others or let them know what I think.

 

[BSRU]

It's like most things useful in certain scenarios but open to abuse, i.e. used as a rebuke or against pedestrians.

 

[Glow worm]

I've toyed with the idea of getting one, usually after some incident with an idiot driver, but never been seriously tempted. They do seem like cumbersome things and a good loud 'Oi!!' (swearier versions are available!), is normally enough in my experience .

The idea of using one on on peds is well out of order in my veiw.

 

[I like Skol]

If I were in charge they would be illegal!

 

[Rob3rt]

Airzounds are for dickheads!

 

[glenn forger]

Saved me a few times, when I'm in a bus lane and a vehicle veers left without indicating there's no way they'd hear a voice so a toot saves us both a lot of bother. I used them on three peds who were blundering about in the road near my house last week, I think they were beer users.

 

[Night Train]

What is an airzound?

I think it is one of these things.


Or it could be one of these.

 

[I like Skol]

Saved me a few times, when I'm in a bus lane and a vehicle veers left without indicating there's no way they'd hear a voice so a toot saves us both a lot of bother. I used them on three peds who were blundering about in the road near my house last week, I think they were beer users.

I've experienced these and many similar situations and can't think of one where an Airzound would have helped the situation. If you have time to sound off then you have time to react and take avoiding action.

 

[Pottsy]

I wouldn't even consider one.

If I just want to let someone know I'm there, there's your voice, flick a break lever, use a bell, freewheel even - lots of options. All of which are friendly, gentler and less confrontational.

If it's an emergency situation you're too busy avoiding it - steering and breaking. You could shout or gesticulate afterwards if that's your style.

I think they're generally used early and in an aggressive and unnecessary manner and just exacerbate the situation.

Or a Rob3rt neatly summarises - they're for dickheads.

 

[fossyant]

I must say, using an airzound on a shared path is absolutely bloody ignorant. An excuse me will do. Does no good for the reputation of cyclists.

I can't agree with Matthew about it not being frowned upon. I regularly cycle up and down the shared use paths in North Wales, and a polite hello or excuse me, or even, slowing to a stop, gets a better reaction ! They are way too loud.

Anyway, more importantly, I ain't fitting my bike with all that crap. Cameras, bells, air horns... FFS

Reminds me of stuff like this :-

 

[Crackle]

Since I got my Airzound, I have been shouting a lot less and as a result, been a lot calmer. It does work as a deterrent to people who are just about to chance a manouvre.
It is also incredibly useful on shared use paths. As an example, I had caught up to a cyclists on a MTB on a shared use path on my commute home on Tuesday. I noticed some peds ahead so just stayed behind the cyclist. However, I realised that the cyclist didnt have a bell and wasnt calling to the peds, so I gave a little toot of my horn. The peds saw, moved over, and we both thanked them.
Then as I passed the cyclist, he said that he needed one of those (horn).

Around here it isnt really frowned on. Cyclists have said that they would like one and peds have said that it gets their attention, so it does work (in the right circumstances).

You may think that but some farker used one on me, not aggressively, just a toot. I near fekkin died. I went up, sideways, backwards, forgot where I was, forgot where the dog was, I must have looked like I was fitting.

He just waited patiently until I'd stopped flapping, said thanks and went past. I was too stunned to say anything, my morning was in pieces, my HR at max, my hands shaking, the birds had stopped singing, the sky had clouded over and my nervous twitch had kicked in.

I'm not a fan of airzounds.

 

[fossyant]

Spot on @Crackle. You're just ambling along, minding your own business, when you get this blast. Anti social !