Rules of the road??

Thanks so much for all of this! Very helpful and very nice to see so many other MA riders here :)

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Originally Posted by Eden

And in some states (like this one) where the law makers are more sensical its illegal to use your horn for anything but an emergency...... (especially and specifically not on cyclists) Please don't honk at cyclists. We know that there are cars on the road and we can *hear* you believe it or not.

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I didn't know people were supposed to honk in order to bypass bikes in some states. Honking is not only startling, but it gets me concerned, and I worry that something important is happening that I haven't seen. If it's a courtesy honk, seems like a waste and dangerous to bikers. I suppose it's important for bikers who are listening to music at the same time... wish people wouldn't do that though.

In most situations (other than the loudest streets which I tend to avoid anyway), I can even hear electric cars coming up. I like guessing what car is coming based on the sound of the engine.

What would be nice is if cars came with two sounds: angry honk and happy beep.

I agree with the notion of not honking at cyclists. Not long ago I was incredibly focused and concentrated while on a ride and doing an interval. All of a sudden, someone blasted their horn at me and I nearly fell into a ditch! :mad:

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

As has been pointed out here before, in many states it's technically required to give an audible signal before passing on a two-lane road. A driver who taps their horn when they're four or five car-lengths behind you is probably just trying to be courteous.

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What states does that affect?

It's on the books in Ohio, but as someone else pointed out, use common sense. I've never heard of anyone being ticketed for not giving notice (even when they probably should have been).

When you're on a bici passing a pedestrian or another bici, DO give an audible signal. I'm not sure what the best thing to do is when it's a horse or horse-drawn buggy.... any of you horse people want to weigh in on that? Do I just pass?

DO honk when you're in your car passing a farm vehicle, a letter carrier's car, a slow ATV, etc., on a two-lane road without a marked passing zone.

When you're in a car passing a bici or pedestrian, if they're riding consistently or they've acknowledged your presence, just don't do it. If they seem oblivious to you, and it's someplace where you could pass an ordinary cyclist safely but they're not riding so that you can safely pass, just tap on your horn. There are different honks. Anyone can hear, appreciate and respond to the difference between tapping the horn 1/10 mile behind you to let you know you're there, vs. laying on the horn as they pass you.