In the past three days, I’ve had two different people blow airhorns at me from inside their trucks as I pedaled along on my bike. Please, please tell me this is not a new trend among the inbred and uneducated folks who insist on taunting us. I’d almost prefer nails (or rattlesnakes), for those can at least be dodged.
Has anyone else had a recent “blast” from an airhorn while cycling?
That’s a new one.
Not to impune your riding etiquette, IMO, most bike riders (roadies and tri-geeks alike) are terrible about “sharing the road”. From riding in packs, to riding through stop signs and red lights. No wonder we’ve alienated people in cars.
Assuming you did nothing wrong, I think some people view us as a threat to them somehow. Perhaps they’re envious of our fitness or freedom to ride.
Or they’re just having a bad day.
I always smile and wave to the person who’s honked or flipped me off. Why beget more evil in the world?
I am concerned, however, about driver’s text messaging or talking on cell phones, who don’t pay attention, and likely don’t see me riding on the shoulder.
Don’t let the airhorn get you, don’t take it personally. Disarm the offender with a smile and a wave. They’re bound to feel foolish.
learn some italian and yell at them…or at least make up some italian-sounding words
I share the road as much as I can, but after fracturing my clavicle due to shitty ass roads, I’ll take up as much road as I feel is safe.
i have one of these on my commuter. its a little obnoxious for everyday use, but it gets used a couple of times each week. http://www.deltacycle.com/product.php?g=1
haha, reminds me of the air compressor powered train horn we used to have in the fraternity house. That thing could be heard by all across campus. Getting woken up by it at 7am on a Saturday (after we went to bed at 5) wasn’t too pleasant, however.
Interestingly enough, the offending vehicles were headed in the opposite direction as I; I was on the improved shoulder on both occasions, as well. But, this is south Texas.
I like the air horn idea for the commuter but looks like it would necessitate another bottle cage for the commuter. Should I continue to get a blast (as opposed to having a blast) while cycling, I may need to invest in such.