A friend here usually toots his horn politely to cyclists know he is passing. As a passenger one day I asked why he did this. He said he thought it was nice. I said, you drive a diesel car. He heard you coming 2 km back.

As a former city rider, I'm used to harassment. I just blow them kisses and smile. It irritates them that I am not mad. Hate to be he bearer of bad news, but this type of stuff happens to cyclists all over the world. And really, not much can be done. Well, that is until you get hit and injured. (I speak from experience on that one.)

Most horns can't be gently tooted, they're either on or off. Enough to make a cyclist wonder what the hell the hazard is and maybe panic.

Because they are idiots, having a bit of "fun" from the security of their car. You know they are probably the same guys who like to give solitary girls a "little harmless scare" when out walking at night.

We are talking about disciplined, fast moving riders on open roads here is this thread. Not the clowns on bikes you see tootling around cities and towns in their own little world.

-tooting a horn is not a good idea, it will usually just lead to a more dangerous situation.

- Some cyclists do break rules repeatedly and they lend a bad name to us all. Sometimes cyclists make traffic mistakes, I have before, none dangerous but have been justly honked at a few times.


- Bike lanes aren't always great. Occasionally, there are major potholes or debris and sometimes you have to weave around it, generally this is done by experienced cyclists by checking to make sure there is no car close. I have been honked at by drivers which were way way behind for weaving when I was simply avoiding something and really wasn't putting anyone in dangerous situation. Drivers just need to realize that bike lanes are not perfect and understand that a weave doesn't mean one is out of control. of course I usually try to signal somehow if possible of my intentions,.

Where I come from. Drivers LOVE bike lanes. It gives them a place to double park their car illegally.

I recommend taking "Route 66" - it's a signposted bike route that you can pick up at Stadelhofen and take along the right side of the lake. Because it pretty much follows the train tracks instead of the road along the lake, the route is nice and quiet, relaxing, with few cars to challenge your right to pedal this earth.

It's true, there is no gentle, prophylactic heads-up honk. Everybody except maybe some car drivers will take it as a sign for a dangerous situation. I think cyrus described the average cyclist reaction. Unnecessary honking can get fined with 40 Fr., but what have I said about police presence around the lake. By the way, when I tour around the lake on weekends, I see sporting cyclists and family "caravans" but nothing in between.

If car drivers want to do something for traffic safety, they should turn on the headlights in the daytime, especially in this weather.

I normally want to see how fast and far I can get. But I should diversify a bit and try some not asphaltic routes, too, it's true. Oh and a late welcome to the forum.

If I understand you correctly, you took my message to mean Route 66 isn't paved - it is, though. It follows back alleys and secondary streets.

And thanks!

All car horns I've had can be gently tooted... maybe they just need a woman's touch

But that may be why some people prefer to roll down their windows and shout or say something....

Cars tooting as they approach is a very confusing signal to a cyclist. No matter how it is done, there is always ambiguity as to what it means. The possibilities include:

1. I'm going to pass you, just carry on riding as you are.
2. You're riding like an idiot, be a bit smarter.
3. I'm about to pass you, but will not (cannot) give you any room, you better move over in the next half second or die!
4. Cool, you're a cyclist, I like cyclists, keep it up!
5. [I'm sure there are other reasons I cannot think of right now.]

So, if someone honks, then I'm always worried that it means reason #3, which it has done a couple of times and I've saved myself by diving for the ditch/verge. In fact, I think the only acceptable reasons for honking at a cyclist while approaching is #3. If you want to indicate #2 then you should do so when the infraction happens, not when approaching the rider some time later. Reason #1 is never a valid reason.

Reason #4 should be indicated by tooting only AFTER passing the rider, because then it can never be confused with the dreaded #3. I do this if I'm in a car going over a mountain pass (which is rare since I don't own a car), if we pass a cyclist slogging their way up the hill, then I often honk the horn after we're just past them as a sign of encouragement, with a hand out of the window giving a thumbs up signal. This makes the intent quite obvious, and often the rider raises a hand to wave back in acknowledgement. A few cars have done similarly to me when I've been riding up a mountain, but it would be fine with me if this were to happen more often.

As for shouting while passing, I've also had this happen many times, in many parts of the world, including Switzerland. However, I've never been able to understand what was said, and half the time I'm not even sure if maybe the passenger is just talking very loudly to the driver about something. I therefore just ignore it. After all, if it is meant with mal-intent then I see it as being not much different than something like graffiti on the side of a building (which will probably be the next form of entertainment for those idiots).

"3. I'm about to pass you, but will not (cannot) give you any room, you better move over in the next half second or die!"

Chris, #3 should be:

I'm a dumb driver that doesn't realise you - even as a cyclist - have priority because you're in front of me, therefore I shall not break and force you into the verge!

You wouldn't do it to a truck, so please, drivers, don't do it to cyclists!

5. Bloody ****ing cyclist, get the **** out of my way, I am very ****ing important, and I need to be where I need to be right ****ing now. (Hope the filter works)

Maybe the honking is a form of self censorship that should be appreciated by us cyclists.

Okay I have said what I had to say about this topic. And there's no gentle tooting from women, really. I gladly lend my bike for blind tests...

May I just add one little tail being a wife of a very fanatic cyclist who has broken side mirrors on occassion (and always dragging a conversation to MY favourite sport - just indulge me please)

Be glad you're not horseriding! I know it scares the hell out of you and its annoying, but at least you have some sort of control over your bike (and its not too far too fall )

In SA 'they' (including truck drivers, motorbikers etc) love to hoot/ scream etc coming up behind my horse while I'm riding.

Now in a lot of cases I am busy training babies (and wearing reflective safety wear that indicate - young horse, please pass slowly).

Even if you know nothing about horses you can just imagine how well that goes down (excuse the pun) with the equine.

To put it this way - I doubt I would be insurable if my underwriter really knew the full story...

I've just learned to sit tight and wave. It's not worth getting your blood pressure up. The more reaction you give the worst it gets.

No point reporting it to the police in SA. Full stop.