Quote Originally Posted by OakLeaf View Post
I Oak, really seeing the east/west divide in a few recent posts
Heh. Is really that quiet in the west? Thanks for the air horn link; much as I don't want to hang another doodad on my bike, I probably should get one.

I should have been more clear in my original post. -- my bike path parallels an six-lane highway. At times neither the human voice nor a bicycle bell would reliably rise above the ambient noise level. If emergency vehicles with sirens are stuck in slow traffic, or a large group of motorcycles is around, special measures are needed IMO. Very few cyclists take extra steps, but I think as responsible cyclists we have an obligation to at least consider the matter.

I do want to caution those of you who are not used to biking in very crowded conditions: slowing down, by itself, will not prevent a collision. If someone steps directly in front of you, you are going to hit either them or the person in the lane you swerve into. You aren't going to hit as hard, but you are going to hit. Slowing is good, but it is by no means the whole story.