Re: Cyclecraft: Exceptions

On 30/06/2007 09:09, LSMike wrote:
I'm interested specifically in situations where you would behave
differently than cyclecraft recommends. Try to make as concise a
description as possible as to what the situation is, and how your
treatment differs from cyclecraft.

I haven't yet read the new edition, but DW noticed the following while skimming through it:
"Horns have no purpose. On paths their sound is too abrupt, and as likely to frighten someone into your way as out of it, and in traffic they are as ineffective as bells.

"Aerosol-operated sirens are available for cycles, and the louder ones can be heard inside cars. Their sound is more offensive than a warning and in most instances a cyclist should be busy avoiding a potential collision rather than sounding off about it."


When I was learning to ride a motorbike I was told that the horn is the most important part of the machine. The purpose of the horn is to alert others to your presence. Because a motorbike is narrower than a car, motorists are more likely to fail to spot it. An audible warning is invaluable for preventing cars from pulling out in front of you.

I consider this to be good advice, and to be truer still for pedal cycles. IME an Air-Zound, correctly used, can be invaluable for asserting a cyclist's right of way. There have been numerous instances where judicious use of the horn has prevented motorists from pulling out in front of me from junctions on the left where they have a poor view of the road that they are pulling out into (there are two such junctions on my morning commute). There have even been instances where motorists have thanked me for using the horn.

Cyclecraft states that:
"in most instances a cyclist should be busy avoiding a potential collision rather than sounding off about it."

It fails to take account of the facts that using a horn can be part of avoiding a potential collision and that on many cycles it is quite possible to fit a horn such that it can be used while braking or taking other evasive action.

Cyclecraft states that:
"On paths their sound is ... as likely to frighten someone into your way as out of it".

It fails to take account of the fact that cyclists are able to vary their speed, and even to stop. If a group of peds has ignored or failed to hear my bell then I'm likely to be moving pretty slowly by the time I use the horn. By that point I don't care which way they jump. What I care about is that they register my presence and move aside so that I can pass. IME they will rarely jump to one side or the other before looking round, anyway.

--
Danny Colyer <URL:http://www.colyer.plus.com/danny/>
Reply address is valid, but that on my website is checked more often
"Daddy, put that down. Daddy, put that down. Daddy, put that down. Daddy, why did you put that down?" - Charlie Colyer, age 2
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Cyclecraft: Exceptions
    ... differently than cyclecraft recommends. ... treatment differs from cyclecraft. ... When I was learning to ride a motorbike I was told that the horn is the ... usually rather be on the brakes and steering as per John Franklin. ...
    (uk.rec.cycling)
  • Re: Motorbike abuse
    ... warn other road users of your presence. ... Never sound your horn aggressively. ... Danny Colyer ... "Daddy, put that down. ...
    (uk.rec.cycling)