Airzounds - more trouble than they're worth?

[Rob3rt]

Airzounds are for dickheads!

Point proven!

 

[Monkreadusuk]

I had an odd encounter today for some reason. I was cycling along a quiet road with parked cars on the right. I saw a big Land Rover dropping off a passenger and started moving out without a signal.
I was unsure as to whether or not the woman had seen me so a gave about 5 quick toots of my Zound (not in an aggressive manner) as I went passed, just to let her know I was there.
When I was infront of her, she returned the exact number of beeps. I thought this a bit odd but then concluded with that she was letting me know she had seen me.

When she went to overtake, I was going to let her know that I didnt know if she had seen me. But before I could say anything she screamed "Specky-four-eyes". This was very odd. I caught up with her at a slip road and said "what was that for?", she just ignored me and did some wild gestures in her car (couldnt understand any of them).

I cannot see what I did wrong. I tooted my horn in the manner that a horn should be used: to notify others of your presence. It wasnt aggressive and I didnt say anything to her as I passed. It was a very odd occasion.

i dont think it was the horn itself, but more the fact that your a cyclist thats not bimbling along getting out of everyones way. I feel that some people just dont like the fact some of us command the road.

 

[simon.r]

With ambient noise it's unlikely any driver with the windows cloased and the radio on will hear a human shout or yell. My Airzound's 120db and has saved my skin a few times. Drivers trying to join a main road I'm on venture out from a junction and peer the opposite direction, they get a toot, no collision.

I think this ^ may be the first time I've agreed with glenn

I use mine very very rarely but it's definitely helped me to avoid collisions a few times. I also have a bell on the same bike which I use more frequently. And a voice which is used more frequently still.

Horses for courses.

 

[PK99]

I had an odd encounter today for some reason. I was cycling along a quiet road with parked cars on the right. I saw a big Land Rover dropping off a passenger and started moving out without a signal.
I was unsure as to whether or not the woman had seen me so a gave about 5 quick toots of my Zound (not in an aggressive manner) as I went passed, just to let her know I was there.
When I was infront of her, she returned the exact number of beeps. I thought this a bit odd but then concluded with that she was letting me know she had seen me.

When she went to overtake, I was going to let her know that I didnt know if she had seen me. But before I could say anything she screamed "Specky-four-eyes". This was very odd. I caught up with her at a slip road and said "what was that for?", she just ignored me and did some wild gestures in her car (couldnt understand any of them).

I cannot see what I did wrong. I tooted my horn in the manner that a horn should be used: to notify others of your presence. It wasnt aggressive and I didnt say anything to her as I passed. It was a very odd occasion.

5 toots? Why?

 

[Matthew_T]

5 toots? Why?

It was kind of a regular thing as I was passing, just to let them know how fast I was going. If they hear one toot, how do they know it is a cyclist? It could just be mistaken for hearing things, or it could be missed by music etc.

 

[ianrauk]

It was kind of a regular thing as I was passing, just to let them know how fast I was going. If they hear one toot, how do they know it is a cyclist? It could just be mistaken for hearing things, or it could be missed by music etc.

When BentMikey 'tooted' me to say hello one evening during a very busy rush hour, I think everyone within a mile radius heard it. 5 Times? Blimey..!

 

[Bromptonaut]

Toyed with idea once but just too noisy. A ping on the bell is enough for pedestrians and prospective conflict with motor vehicles.
In real danger a shout does fine.

 

[4F]

I would rather cut of my dangly bits with a rusty razor blade and sit in a vat of salt then attach or use an airyob on my bike.

 

[Saddle bum]

Just shout "Ding-a-f*****g-ling".

 

[GrasB]

With ambient noise it's unlikely any driver with the windows cloased and the radio on will hear a human shout or yell. My Airzound's 120db and has saved my skin a few times. Drivers trying to join a main road I'm on venture out from a junction and peer the opposite direction, they get a toot, no collision.

You wana bet?... It's amazing what a motorist can hear when you mutter something close to an insult.

 

[Fnaar]

[QUOTE 2435027, member: 259"]There is absolutely no way I would ever use one on a shared path.[/quote]
I would call to the pedestrians, and say "Zounds! Give me some air!"

 

[PK99]

5 toots? Why?

It was kind of a regular thing as I was passing, just to let them know how fast I was going. If they hear one toot, how do they know it is a cyclist? It could just be mistaken for hearing things, or it could be missed by music etc.

on the Grand Union tow path, signs ask for "Two Tings"

one may be missed, two are clear and ploite, more eg "ding-ding-ding-ding-ding" sound impatient and rude as in :"Get out of my feckin' way, I'm coming through"

Similarly with a car horn:
"beep-beep" = "I'm here, look out"
"Beep-beep-beep-beep-beep" = I'm an impatient twot, Get out my feckin' way"
"PHARRRRP" = imminent danger!


How do think "Toot-Toot-Toot-Toot-Toot" might be perceived?

 

[fossyant]

FIVE QUICK TOOTS

No wonder she wasnt happy

 

[Crankarm]

I shouted at a truck driver a few weeks ago as he pulled out onto a roundabout in front of me. I was HARD on the brakes and if I hadn't would have been hit by the drivers side headlight or front wheel. He DEFINITELY heard me shout "WA**ER" because he looked down from his lofty cab with a shocked expression on his face when he realised I was inches from his truck!

No need for an Airzound, helmet cam or any squeaky, girly, high pitched screaming!

What a good advert for cyclists as well as being offensive and derogatory language.

A horn would be much more suitable in the situation you describe.

 

[Cycling Dan]

Car toots at someone not in accordance with highway code say they were going too slow - does that mean they can beat the shoot out of them so on because they tooted. new thread
P.S clearly Airzound usage is stupid when on a shared path.
Car Horns - more trouble than they're worth?