This Ear-Shattering Bike Whistle Makes Drivers Pay Attention | FastCompany
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By
Bill
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Forget that pitiful bell. On loud and busy streets, you're gonna want one of these.
There's a reason why car horns are so annoyingly loud: If you need to get a driver's attention in an emergency and they have the windows rolled up and the radio at top volume, they'll still hear you. But what happens when you're on a bike with a pitiful metal bell?
One louder solution--if it's legal where you live--might be a whistle, like this new designfrom Swedish bike accessory company Bookman. It was manufactured by Acme Whistles, which first started making whistles in the U.K. in 1870.
"We wanted to create a bike whistle as an alternative signaling instrument for especially loud and busy streets," says Bookman's Johan Lidehall. "Most of our customers probably wouldn't like the look of a big horn attached to their bike, so that's why we decided on the small but loud whistle instead."
With a small puff, the whistle makes a gentle alert, but when it's really needed, the sound is piercing and very, very loud. Riding through heavy traffic, you can keep the whistle resting in your mouth, so it's hands-free. A custom shape ensures that it won't be pushed in your mouth if you happen to fall, and the neckband has a safety knot, so it can be pulled off quickly.
The only problem? In the U.S., at least, many cities and states still have old laws on the books outlawing whistles for cyclists. That probably dates from the days when whistles were commonly used by police, and you could argue it's probably outdated in all but a few places--like parts of Manhattan or Boston--where cops still regularly direct traffic with whistles.
Now AAA members are eligible to have their bicycle transported by AAA in WA, OR, ID and BC BELLEVUE, Wash. (June 26, 2012) – On July 1, AAA Washington will begin providing its more than one million members in Washington and northern Idaho emergency bicycle service. AAA members now have membership benefits that cover them on their bicycle in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and Idaho. AAA Washington’s new bicycle service works exactly like its emergency road service for vehicles. A member with a disabled bicycle due to mechanical failure calls the AAA hotline (800-‐AAA-‐HELP) and AAA will dispatch service. The member and their bicycle will be transported to a safe location within the distance their membership level allows: Classic – 5 miles, Plus – 100 miles, or Premier – 200 miles. “We are excited to extend our legendary emergency road service to bicycles,” said John Milbrath, vice president of Member Services for AAA Washington. “People who live in the Northwest are avid
In July of 2006 a few of my friends joined me on an inaugural bike tour of West Virginia. I spent that winter planning a variety of routes through the Monongahela National Forest, and this would be our first of many weekend tours in the Mid-Atlantic Region. An early morning departure from the Pittsburgh area had us loading up the trailers high atop Spruce Knob . The starting point for this 60-mile mixed-touring loop was the Big Run/Allegheny trailhead off Route 112. Heading clockwise, we utilized forest roads, rail-trails, and paved roads. The reality of pulling our belongings behind us set in as we headed down the dusty and rolling forest road, quickly understanding why West Virginia is known as "The Mountain State." Soon we were treated to one of many mountain vistas. After rolling onto pavement (Route 28), we climbed over Allegheny Mountain and coasted into our campsite for the evening -- Island Campground , situated on the banks of the East Fork of the Greenbrier
Nearly 30 years ago, J. David Rhoades had a unique idea – to design and market a 4-wheel bicycle that everyone could enjoy. He appropriately named it the Rhoades Car... http://www.rhoadescar.com/rcar/index.shtml
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