# 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:** 6
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2015, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/101 "2015-04-24T15:08:34Z")
> [@Mr.Miskatonic](#): > > Or they do and you just don’t notice. I’ve seen plenty of drivers ignore a flashing turn signal that’s been going for several seconds. If they miss that then they can easily miss a gesture made before the arm has to return to controlling the bike. Or they didn’t signal. Or they didn’t hold the signal long enough? I prefer a better-safe-than-sorry position. As a car driver, I’ll try to watch for bicyclist, and as a bicyclist, I’ll try to watch for cars. The hand signals are easy to perform, and easy to identify. > **[What's the "RIGHT" Way to Use Hand Signals While Biking?](http://www.illinoisbicyclelaw.com/2009/03/whats-right-way-to-signal-turn-while.html)** > > Leading Bicycle Accident lawyers in Chicago dedicated to bicycle accident victims and their families. Free Consultations available 24/7. AFAIK, Illinois bicyclists are required to follow Illinois traffic laws. \*(625 ILCS 5/11-804) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-804) Sec. 11-804. When signal required. (b) A signal of intention to turn right or left when required must be given continuously during not less than the last 100 feet traveled by the vehicle before turning within a business or residence district, and such signal must be given continuously during not less than the last 200 feet traveled by the vehicle before turning outside a business or residence district. (625 ILCS 5/11-806) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-806) Sec. 11-806. Method of giving hand and arm signals. All signals herein required given by hand and arm shall be given from the left side of the vehicle in the following manner and such signals shall indicate as follows: 1. Left turn - Hand and arm extended horizontally. 2. Right turn - Hand and arm extended upward, except that a person operating a bicycle may extend the right hand and arm horizontally and to the right side of the bicycle. 3. Stop or decrease of speed - Hand and arm extended downward.\* [http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?ActID=1815&ChapterID=49&SeqStart=119700000&SeqEnd=121300000](http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?ActID=1815&ChapterID=49&SeqStart=119700000&SeqEnd=121300000) ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2015, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/102 "2015-04-25T12:11:54Z")
> [@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. It depends on how you use the horn. My perspective has changed a lot because I live in an area where horn use is _constant_. Even here as in the USA, though, the _way_ you use the horn matters. Is a couple of taps (beep-beep) or “I’m pissed at you get out of my way” (lay on the horn)? No good driver, pedestrian, or cyclist should _ever_ get startled by the “beep-beep”. Laying on the horn, though, is a different matter entirely. > [@](#): > > 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. At least two of us have indicated that in driver’s ed we were taught to use the horn when passing cyclists. Although the current edition of my state’s “What Every Driver Must Know” manual does state, “Use your horn judiciously. Avoid loud blasts that may startle riders and put them at an increased risk of a crash.” > [@](#): > > Let’s condition them to ignore honking. Brilliant. No one should get conditioned to ignore honking. In fact, quite the opposite. Humans are excellent at knowing where sounds are coming from. In this society (China) people aren’t at all immune to horns. Listening to horns is what they use as a substitute for turning their heads more than 10° in either direction. It’s actually also pretty easy to detect falloff, too. Despite what seems like a cacophony, it’s easy to tell who is honking at whom, and where you can and can’t go, without even looking. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2015, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/103 "2015-04-27T11:08:59Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > I ride on a road where there is almost always steady traffic but it’s not bumper to bumper or anything. Like people are really going 40 mph. > > I don’t like the honking. In all seriousness I’m sure it’s meant as a courtesy but where I live, honking is (usually) reserved for when you’ve done something wrong. It really startles me. > > It is always the cars behind me, and I can always hear them. Really, wguy123, you can’t hear them? I usually have my iPod on, low, and I can still hear everything on the road. > > Oh, and it’s a two lane road each way. If they started honking coming at me I’d probably give up riding altogether. Are your headphones the over-the-helmet type? If so, the drivers probably think you’re not paying attention and/or can possibly not hear their car as it approaches. The in-ear type would have the same effect but the driver would have to be dangerously close to notice it. I know you say that you’d hate cycling without headphones on, but try it for a few days and see if there are fewer honks. ---
**Author:** ![Baal\_Houtham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baal_houtham/32/13604_2.png) [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2015, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/104 "2015-04-27T12:00:56Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > No good driver, pedestrian, or cyclist should _ever_ get startled by the “beep-beep”. Like most absolute statements, this is ridiculous. If a “good” pedestrian is crossing 3 feet in front of my car at a stoplight, and I give them a beep-beep just for the hell of it, they’re usually going to be startled. IMO. And, yeah, like the OP says, don’t honk at cyclists to let them know you’re there. It’s unexpected and demands that they immediately take action to avoid a possible emergency. In my cycling days it was always anannoyance, and occasionally infuriating. Any possible safety value of telling the cyclist that you’re approaching is overshadowed by the danger of startling the cyclist into an uncontolled swerve. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2015, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/105 "2015-04-27T12:23:10Z")
> [@Baal\_Houtham](#): > > Like most absolute statements, this is ridiculous. If a “good” pedestrian is crossing 3 feet in front of my car at a stoplight, and I give them a beep-beep just for the hell of it, they’re usually going to be startled. It’s not an absolute statement. It’s an example of a “no good Scotsman” statement. But still, it applies and is fair. If you’re near cars, you should expect horns and honking, even if you’re a non-good pedestrian or cyclist. If you panic instead of assessing the situation, then you definitely don’t fall into the “good” camp. That is absolute, and has nothing to do with Scotsmen, but everything to do with putting yourself near giant, massive things that could kill you with only minor damage. ---
**Author:** ![Jamaika\_a\_jamaikaiake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7993a0/32.png) [@Jamaika\_a\_jamaikaiake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jamaika_a_jamaikaiake)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2015, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/106 "2015-04-27T13:48:37Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > Although the current edition of my state’s “What Every Driver Must Know” manual does state, “Use your horn judiciously. \*\*Avoid loud blasts \*\*that may startle riders and put them at an increased risk of a crash.” (bolding mine) Do car horns have volume controls now? One of the problems with the short “beep-beep” is that it is just as loud as a sustained honk. ---
**Author:** ![Baal\_Houtham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baal_houtham/32/13604_2.png) [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2015, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/107 "2015-04-28T12:50:37Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > It’s not an absolute statement. It’s an example of a “no good Scotsman” statement. But still, it applies and is fair. If you’re near cars, you should expect horns and honking, even if you’re a non-good pedestrian or cyclist. If you panic instead of assessing the situation, then you definitely don’t fall into the “good” camp. That is absolute, and has nothing to do with Scotsmen, but everything to do with putting yourself near giant, massive things that could kill you with only minor damage. It’s an absolute statement; it allows no exceptions. If you later claim that someone who by all other evidence is a “good” cyclist/ped/driver is NOT good because they were once startled by an unexpected beep-beep – and you do so to protect your origonal absolute statement – that’s when you’re employing the “No True Scotsman” fallacy. And… Moreso than peds or drivers, cyclists have trouble assessing car honks. Beeps demand immediate attention, to determine their purpose. A cyclist is often watching the pavement, because a single stone or pothole can cause a loss of control. Unlike a walker, a cyclist has to prepare herself to look behind her – there’s a weight shift that requires compensation without changing the direction of the handlebars. Don’t honk unless there’s an immediate emergency – which is rare. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/108 "2015-04-29T07:13:33Z")
I should set up a survey. It seems that only “special” snowflakes are affected by honking horns, whereas I suspect (with no data) that the vast majority of people are capable of reacting to the sounding of a horn without experiencing a sudden panic. Horns are definitely _not_ meant _only_ to warn of impending danger; they are simply an audible signaling device. ---
**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 29, 2015, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/109 "2015-04-29T10:24:00Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > I should set up a survey. It seems that only “special” snowflakes are affected by honking horns, whereas I suspect (with no data) that the vast majority of people are capable of reacting to the sounding of a horn without experiencing a sudden panic. Horns are definitely _not_ meant _only_ to warn of impending danger; they are simply an audible signaling device. California Vehicle Code > [@](#): > > 1. (a) The driver of a motor vehicle when reasonably necessary > to insure safe operation shall give audible **warning** with his horn. The problem is not a quick tap 50-75 yards back, it’s the long blast from a few feet. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/110 "2015-04-29T17:41:21Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > Horns are definitely _not_ meant _only_ to warn of impending danger; they are simply an audible signaling device. Yes, to audilbly signal a danger or emergency. What else what you do with it? ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/111 "2015-04-29T17:56:48Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > Yes, to audilbly signal a danger or emergency. What else what you do with it? As already mentioned, to signal the person in front that you’re going to pass them. [http://www.njlawman.com/new-jersey-traffic-laws/improper-passing-39-4-85.htm](http://www.njlawman.com/new-jersey-traffic-laws/improper-passing-39-4-85.htm) [QUOTE=New Jersey law] The driver of an overtaking motor vehicle not within a business or residence district **shall give audible warning with his horn** or other warning device before passing or attempting to pass a vehicle proceeding in the same direction. [/quote] ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/112 "2015-04-29T18:11:18Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > Yes, to audilbly signal a danger or emergency. What else what you do with it? Not a bicycle, but boats use horns (audible signals) for navigation purposes, including safely passing another vessel. \*Boating Navigation: Overtaking a Power-Driven Vessel Vessel A is overtaking and is the give-way vessel. Vessel B is the stand-on vessel. As the give-way vessel, A must take EARLY and SUBSTANTIAL action to keep clear of the stand-on vessel B. If both vessels are power-driven, sound signals are required. Vessel A must blow one short blast and alter course to starboard, or blow two short blasts and alter course to port, and Vessel B must return the same sound signal(s) to indicate understanding.\* > **[page\_title](https://www.boaterexam.com/navigationrules/two-power-overtaking/)** > > How to overtake a power-driven vessel, including required sound signals. ---
**Author:** ![AnaMen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dfb087/32.png) [@AnaMen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnaMen)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/113 "2015-04-29T18:25:39Z")
When I hear a horn, I look around to see if it is warning impending danger. If there is no danger, I was distracted for nothing. It’s also distracting that people here (Florida) routinely throw drinks out their windows at cyclists and scream that they should get on the sidewalk, which is dangerous and illegal. Sometimes people will even try to run you off the road on purpose, laughing, honking, and screeching with idiotic glee. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/114 "2015-04-29T20:12:05Z")
> [@AnaMen](#): > > When I hear a horn, I look around to see if it is warning impending danger. If there is no danger, I was distracted for nothing. It’s also distracting that people here (Florida) routinely throw drinks out their windows at cyclists and scream that they should get on the sidewalk, which is dangerous and illegal. Sometimes people will even try to run you off the road on purpose, laughing, honking, and screeching with idiotic glee. Why does anyone live in Florida? I have never heard of anything positive happening in that state. They routinely throw drinks at you? I’ve ridden many thousands of road miles and that has never happened to me. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/115 "2015-04-29T21:41:47Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > Why does anyone live in Florida? I have never heard of anything positive happening in that state. They routinely throw drinks at you? I’ve ridden many thousands of road miles and that has never happened to me. Its a time honored tradition with regards to bicycles. In the book [Miles from Nowhere](http://www.amazon.com/Miles-Nowhere-Round-Bicycle-Adventure/dp/0898861098) a couple that eventually cycles around the world in the late 70’s has a great time in the US until they reach the deep south, and once they reach Florida it becomes a horror show. Like, dive for the side of the road every time a car comes horror. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/116 "2015-04-29T22:01:27Z")
> [@Doug\_K](#): > > As already mentioned, to signal the person in front that you’re going to pass them. > > [http://www.njlawman.com/new-jersey-traffic-laws/improper-passing-39-4-85.htm](http://www.njlawman.com/new-jersey-traffic-laws/improper-passing-39-4-85.htm) I didn’t see a post like that, sorry. How obnoxious it would be if anyone ever did that as a rule. Holy shit, Florida actually condones blinking your lights at someone in front of you in the lane. [http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App\_mode=Display\_Statute&Search\_String=&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.083.html](http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.083.html) (2) Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, the driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle, on audible signal or upon the visible blinking of the headlamps of the overtaking vehicle if such overtaking is being attempted at nighttime, and shall not increase the speed of his or her vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/117 "2015-04-29T22:04:22Z")
Going with an adaptation of [number 5](http://www.platinumdrivers.com/smith-system-andprinciples-of-safe-driving/) in The Smith System of Driving. It’s proactive horn use–no sign of trouble, just a courtesy beep to let someone know you’re there. Struck me as incredibly obnoxious when I was in driver’s ed 30+ years ago so I never got on board. Seemed much more sensible (and less likely to incite rage) to just assume everyone else on the road is a dipshit and is about to do something that will get you or themselves killed, and to stay focused on item #4. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/118 "2015-04-29T22:28:20Z")
> [@Doug\_K](#): > > As already mentioned, to signal the person in front that you’re going to pass them. > > [http://www.njlawman.com/new-jersey-traffic-laws/improper-passing-39-4-85.htm](http://www.njlawman.com/new-jersey-traffic-laws/improper-passing-39-4-85.htm) “The driver of an overtaking motor vehicle not within a business or residence district shall give audible warning with his horn” That would be something like 98% of the places I ride. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2015, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/119 "2015-04-30T00:22:46Z")
> [@Mr.Miskatonic](#): > > Its a time honored tradition with regards to bicycles. In the book [Miles from Nowhere](http://www.amazon.com/Miles-Nowhere-Round-Bicycle-Adventure/dp/0898861098) a couple that eventually cycles around the world in the late 70’s has a great time in the US until they reach the deep south, and once they reach Florida it becomes a horror show. Like, dive for the side of the road every time a car comes horror. Glad that tradition hasn’t caught on in the better parts of the US. ---
**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 30, 2015, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218/120 "2015-04-30T03:26:42Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > Why does anyone live in Florida? I have never heard of anything positive happening in that state. They routinely throw drinks at you? I’ve ridden many thousands of road miles and that has never happened to me. Twice, in say, five or six thousand miles (a few years apart). Once it was a drunk passenger in a small pickup. The second time, it was the passenger of a small car whose driver was annoyed that I was riding in the road and he had to wait to pass me. The second throw was a foot or two closer than the first, if I had been riding an upright he well might have hit me in the head. ETA: not Florida, the opposite corner of the country. Assholes are everywhere. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-insist-on-honking-at-me-when-i-ride-my-bike/718218.md?page=7)