Agreed that AirZounds are not suitable for use around pedestrians — I know people who advocate their use on pedestrian paths, but it seems antisocial to me.

The few instances where the horn seems to work to prevent vehicular misbehavior is in the case of cars doing u-turns and thinking they can swing their boat around before my bike arrives. The horn usually causes them to stop dead in their tracks, take notice, reasses my speed, and let me pass. Another instance where the horn comes in handy is when a car is ready to take a turn and does not make anything close to eye contact with me (approaching). Again, the horn gets their attention all right.

I recommend using a horn for communicating with car drivers, both before and after they do something naughty. After the event at least lets them know that they just did something to aggravate a cyclist and may provoke some thought and behavior modification. For the instances where the horn can get a driver’s attention before something bad happens, the horn is again a good communicator, much better, I’d say, than a car horn. Bike horns often function to make me “visible” where I was invisible before. It is rare indeed the circumstance where a car horn fulfills this role, simply because drivers are generally aware of other cars (that’s what they are looking for, not cyclists unfortunately…yet).

However, if it is pedestrians that we are worried about, DON’T USE THE AIRZOUND! it is so loud that it frightens people and can get you in serious trouble (ice cream cones flying, dogs yelping, grandmother gasping for air…). So, have a bell handy, too. I’ve been meaning to get a bell. I’ve heard that a local historical museum sells a nice, old-fashioned brass bell at a good price….

I’m just not convinced that folks who hear that new type know what it is they’re hearing.

The old style with its very distinctive ring seems like it would be a better idea. There’s no doubt when you hear that old style that there’s a bike around somewhere.

But one kid was entirely oblivious — ah, to be 12 — and I had to call out his jersey number: “you, number 48, move!” because I was about on top of him with no way around. Finally one of his buddies grabbed him and pulled him over to where the rest of them were running.

Yesterday was the mini-flock of geese; luckily they were easier to maneuver around than middle school kids.

None of this helps with the music-listening 30-foot retractable leash using dog walkers. A leash should be less than the width of any path, or 6 feet max. I’ve been clotheslined to the ground nearly a handful of times. Too bad we can’t take corrective action with the leash or the holder…..

It makes people think my bike is a neglected heap, and maybe they’re right, but it seems to work, and it also seems unintentional, so it’s less like I’m saying “get out of my way” and more like they’re discovering me on their own.