# Why do people insist on honking at me when I ride my bike? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 21, 2015, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218 "2015-04-21T19:25:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/61 "2015-04-22T17:18:36Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > I have absolutely no idea what the bike rider is thinking about, or if they’re even aware that I’m about to pass. Do you do the same for cars that you need to pass? ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/62 "2015-04-22T17:18:40Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > What if a car you are passing suddenly decides to swerve out in front of you? You end up swapping paint and both participants live to fill out reports of the accident. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/63 "2015-04-22T17:19:21Z")
Dunno about this, but I had the impression that in foreign civilized countries, car horns have two settings, one, a melodious friendly “tootling”, and the option for a serious “Watch yer ass, dipshit!” blast. ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/64 "2015-04-22T17:27:57Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > What if a car you are passing suddenly decides to swerve out in front of you? You mean that guy that has a seat belt, airbags and a half a ton of steel surrounding him? I’ll probably unavoidably hit him. He has a good chance of surviving it. The guy on a bicycle, not so much. ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/65 "2015-04-22T17:35:06Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > It’s not that you’re being called an asshole. It’s that what you’re doing is not remotely helpful and only makes things worse. When you make a sudden sound, they are going to turn around and look. That’s that point of a horn, to make you turn and look–the last thing a cyclist needs to do. Yep, the second last thing he needs to do is hinder his hearing with headphones and music. > [@](#): > > I actually wonder if people need to go back to driver’s ed, where they teach you what horns are for. They are emergency tools. They exist to call attention to themselves. When you use them all the time, you’re conditioning people to get used to it and not look back. Have you read the replies above? some have claimed that they were INSTRUCTED to honk at cyclists. Not something I agree with as I stated previously that my honking was for the music loving cyclist. > [@](#): > > I don’t know why you harp on headphones, when car radios cranked up are far more of a problem. But I doubt you honk every time you get behind a car with someone clearly jamming to their tunes. And if you listen to the radio, I’m sure you wouldn’t like it if everyone honked when they came up behind you. Again - seat belts, air bags, surrounded by a steel cage etc. > [@](#): > > It boggles my mind sometimes the things Dopers will argue about. Any guide about dealing with cyclists says you don’t honk at them for the very reason the OP has mentioned. And here you are defending your right to do so, because fuck the cyclists and fuck not startling people and making the driving even less safe. Let’s condition them to ignore honking. Brilliant. I can understand why your mind is boggled. You seem to lack the ability to read through the material. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/66 "2015-04-22T17:38:27Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > You end up swapping paint and both participants live to fill out reports of the accident. I appreciate that you think you’re giving me warning of your presence, but I already know you’re there. You can hear cars approaching you (even hybrids but I admit they’re harder to hear) and a beep from you doesn’t give me any more information. Bikers who are oblivious to cars may be helped by hearing your horn, not sure how many of them are out there. Some may be startled by the sound of your horn and react badly. As a city rider, I can tell you that for me it’s not helpful. I would guess that it’s not helping the majority of bikers you see in an urban or suburban environment. There may be some that it helps, there may be some that get startled. As long as your not laying on the horn for 15 seconds I’m not going to worry about it. ---
**Author:** ![Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/channing_idaho_banks/32/250_2.png) [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Channing_Idaho_Banks)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/67 "2015-04-22T18:28:27Z")
This happens to me. My usual response is to yell at the offending honker, “What are you going to do, hit me?” in an angry, yet ironic manner. I guess I’m lucky I haven’t been hit, yet. ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/68 "2015-04-22T18:41:43Z")
Since this the Pit, I’d like to chime in about the assholes who honk not to warn you but to intentionally scare the shit out of you. Its usually young guys with their friends, some of who find it necessary to hang out of the passenger window and scream when they are about two feet from you. Its fucking hilarious! Its a good thing I don’t ride with a rock or gun or something. I’d be in jail or a hospital if I did. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/69 "2015-04-22T19:12:25Z")
> [@MikeF](#): > > Its fucking hilarious! Its a good thing I don’t ride with a rock or gun or something. I’d be in jail or a hospital if I did. This is where frame mounted pumps come in handy. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/70 "2015-04-22T19:40:39Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > I appreciate that you think you’re giving me warning of your presence, but I already know you’re there. You can hear cars approaching you (even hybrids but I admit they’re harder to hear) and a beep from you doesn’t give me any more information. Bikers who are oblivious to cars may be helped by hearing your horn, not sure how many of them are out there. Some may be startled by the sound of your horn and react badly. > > As a city rider, I can tell you that for me it’s not helpful. I would guess that it’s not helping the majority of bikers you see in an urban or suburban environment. There may be some that it helps, there may be some that get startled. As long as your not laying on the horn for 15 seconds I’m not going to worry about it. I used to ride a lot. A few local races that I never had any chance of winning, and some 100mi rides but mostly pleasant hours spent going nowhere. Some drivers honk, some people yell, some drivers pass close by and quickly swerve in front of me. Most drivers ignored me. And then there are the drivers who are texting, talking on their phones, playing grabass with their passengers, eating a hamburger, looking at their car’s entertainment center, yelling at their kids, watching the girls on the beach, wondering if they’re going to lose their job, or if their doctor is going to tell them they’re dying. In other words, driving their car is not their primary concern. And a bicycle is not on their radar. When a driver honks, you can be sure, well… pretty sure, that the driver knows you’re there. I find that reassuring. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/71 "2015-04-22T20:35:03Z")
Why do some bicyclists, with a nice wide shoulder to ride in, choose to ride right long the white line? Wouldn’t you want to put more room between yourself and traffic? ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/72 "2015-04-22T20:35:24Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > When a driver honks, you can be sure, well… pretty sure, that the driver knows you’re there. I find that reassuring. That’s fair, and I understand where you’re coming from. I generally assume drivers don’t see me and ride accordingly. It’s helped me a few times when drivers turned right in front of me after passing, forcing me to slam on the brakes and/or turn into the same parking lot as them to avoid hitting them broadside. Even if they beeped at me I’d still ride as if they didn’t see me. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/73 "2015-04-22T20:37:27Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > Why do some bicyclists, with a nice wide shoulder to ride in, choose to ride right long the white line? Wouldn’t you want to put more room between yourself and traffic? Debris, glass, thorns. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/74 "2015-04-22T20:42:01Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > Why do some bicyclists, with a nice wide shoulder to ride in, choose to ride right long the white line? Wouldn’t you want to put more room between yourself and traffic? Because if you’re riding there, you’re riding among the road debris, sand, and poor pavement. Plus, every time you approach a parked car or a particularly bad stretch of pavement you have to veer back out into the traffic lane, surprising drivers. It’s much better to stay on the edge of the travel lane where road is in better shape and ride in a consistent predictable manner that doesn’t involve moving back and forth. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/75 "2015-04-22T20:43:46Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > Why do some bicyclists, with a nice wide shoulder to ride in, choose to ride right long the white line? Wouldn’t you want to put more room between yourself and traffic? You mean that part of the road called “the garbage lane”? ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/76 "2015-04-22T21:02:10Z")
The last time I noticed it, it was in a place where the shoulder was nice and clear. That’s why I wondered about it. Maybe it is force of habit from the person riding elsewhere. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/77 "2015-04-22T21:04:25Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > The last time I noticed it, it was in a place where the shoulder was nice and clear. That’s why I wondered about it. Maybe it is force of habit from the person riding elsewhere. A lot of the crap you can’t see from a car. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/78 "2015-04-22T21:32:01Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > 4 wheels hates 2 wheels. > Problem explained. Four wheels hates two wheels even if two wheels is a motor vehicle. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/79 "2015-04-22T21:35:58Z")
I think it is actually safer for two cyclists to ride abreast in the lane (I mean, after all, the road does not _belong to_ the motorists). With two abreast, the car must go entirely into the next lane to pass; if the cyclists are riding single file, the car goes a third or half way into the other lane but has to stay there longer, which makes the driver try to finish the pass sooner, which puts the forward bicycle in greater danger of being clipped by the early return. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/80 "2015-04-22T21:37:02Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > A lot of the crap you can’t see from a car. Well, the area right near the white line looked just like the area farther away, and a street sweeper comes through regularly. I will have to look more closely. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218.md?page=5)