Whistle or horn?

[Zippy]

I picked up on Bike Forums that a whistle could be illegal for cyclists to warn of presence on the road.

On my commute I have a single lane train tunnel on a blind bend where I find a loud blast from a whistle is a good indication of presence from on-coming cars, especially if they are judging whether it is safe to proceed by the presence of oncoming headlights reflecting off the tunnels walls at night or early morning.

What's the deal with whistles? Illegal? If so I may have to resort to fitting an airhorn, such as the one that sits in the bottle cage and button clips on the handlebars - that'll leave no doubt I'm coming through!

 

[hackbike 666]

Horn for me...AT least cabbies stop to "discuss" me using it against them.

 

[fossyant]

Drivers don't like "Oi" either..........

 

[BentMikey]

And they certainly don't like AirZounds - just ask D4N OK, the nobber!

 

[hackbike 666]

Drivers don't like "Oi" either..........

That moton at Mile End didn't like what I shouted at him either last week.I think I distracted the tit who pulled out on me.

 

[Zippy]

I find whistles a bit more "in yer face". In fact I find them a bit rude to be honest!

I tend to agree for open road use Uncle Mort, but on entry to this tight tunnel to make no approaching sound is asking to be squeezed tight against the tunnel wall by on coming vehicles. There is no taking the primary position here unless you like playing chicken!

 

[Origamist]

I picked up on Bike Forums that a whistle could be illegal for cyclists to warn of presence on the road.

I'm interested - is that true in the UK?

 

[hackbike 666]

I'm interested - is that true in the UK?

You'd probably get 6 years in jail.

 

[scouserinlondon]

I'm getting rid of my cheap shitty bell, it has such a feeble ding it's pointless, I prefer shouting.

 

[gaz]

a loud OI, watch it or look does it for me, but then again i'm not in your situation.

 

[thomas]

Whistling is illegal? That must be rubbish. I do it all the time (well, not all the time). Sometimes it is a nice tune, but a lot of the time when filtering or in areas where there are a lot of peds. I find that whistling can help people turn their heads so they don't jump out.

That's with my mouth, rather than a sports whistle.

I've got an airzound too, but taken it off as I'm not commuting atm.

 

[Origamist]

Whistling is illegal? That must be rubbish.

That's my take, but I'd not be that surprised if there's not some arcane law proscribing the use of a tin whistle (maybe going back to when Peelers used a rattle and later a whistle?). I'm not convinced though...

 

[thomas]

That's my take, but I'd not be that surprised if there's not some arcane law proscribing the use of a tin whistle (maybe going back to when Peelers used a rattle and later a whistle?). I'm not convinced though...

I'm willing to do the time, and continue to do the crime . Next time I see a plod I'll [wolf] whistle, haha.

 

[Jezston]

Whistling is illegal? That must be rubbish. I do it all the time (well, not all the time). Sometimes it is a nice tune,

I hope you're paying your PRS fees and providing them with detailed log sheets!

Bloody cyclists - I bet you don't!

 

[thomas]

I hope you're paying your PRS fees and providing them with detailed log sheets!

Bloody cyclists - I bet you don't!

I also don't declare all the tips I get to inland revenue