Bizman

I have read (somewhere) and heard blowing the horn at a bicyclist is assault. I have done a search about this (for PA) and if it is assault I can't find anything specifying this? I have been having the horn grossly over used by several vehicles passing and then buzzing me. I remember a conversation with a State Troopper about this and understood it is not allowed and is assault. I am now in conversation with a local officer who says it is not assault?

I know that not all police know the law about this (and other bicycle laws) and would like to be sure of this myself (with proof to produce when needed) and how to find out what PA law says about this so I can be corrected or that I can correct the police officer if he is wrong. Although I understand the little toot toot from a vehicle to let you know they are there could also be assault, I am more concerned about the ones just laying on the horn for 3-5 or more seconds being assault. Thanks in advance for any clarification on the laws about this.

bmthom.gis

I would rather them lay on their horn than say they didn't see me. Horns are annoying, but harmless.

79pmooney

Unless they startle you or you value your hearing. Drivers have no idea what it is like to be 5 feet in front of that horn with no car or windows between. And I still can get startled when a car I am perfectly aware of and who has lots of ropm lays on that horn as he is passing me.

Ben

indyfabz

Is that why so many motorists nearly jump out of their seats when I honk at them with my voice for doing something like sitting at a light that has turned green because they are too busy texting to notice? BTW...PA has a 4' law, so if a cyclist is living up to his obligation no motorist should be honking and buzzing.

bmthom.gis

I find big commercial trucks accelerating past me much louder than any horn. I guess I am always expecting someone to honk, so I am not quite startled anymore when someone does.

hohum

Horn Honking == Assault? That's pretty ****ing absurd.

I would hope that anyone who rides around in a crowded metro area for more than 5 minutes a day would be used to dealing with angry motorists.

RPK79

Even if it is a law how is it in any way enforceable?

NYMXer

I think the horn was intended to warn others sharing the road with you, and cyclists are no exception. I think it is better to be startled by a horn than a bumper on your ass!

RPK79

Yeah, because it is common for cars to honk at other cars as they overtake them.

kickstart

And I suppose farting technically is an EPA violation too.

NYMXer

Probably not but cars have several rear view mirrors and a bicycle can get passed more in one ride than you do in your car all year.
To each their own, it' just a matter of opinion and we don't have to agree.... That would get boring.

RPK79

I don't see how a lack of mirrors and increased passes means cars should honk at cyclists...

NYMXer

I never said they "should", I said that it is better than getting startled by having a bumper on your ass...

RPK79

I don't understand. Are you trying to justify drivers being rude because being rude is better than striking someone with your car? These two things aren't exactly related. All they have to do is safely pass the cyclist; they don't have to announce their presence.

NYMXer

What I am saying is that I think it is better to have an overly cautious car beep the horn before they pass rather than sit right behind me and be reluctant to pass, as in too nervous. Nervous drivers make me nervous and while most car operators can find a way to pass without startling a cyclists, not all operators have the skill or confidence to do so.

Sometimes, I will actually wave a car by me because they just don't seem willing to pass. Once I acknowledge them, they safely pass by, probably because they know that I am aware of their presence. I think we have all met at least one car driver that just won't pass unless you wave them on.

When I pass other cyclists (when driving a car), I do not beep my horn and move over as much as I can. Sometimes I might show them a "thumbs up" depending on my mood.

RPK79

Got it.



Personally I'd still rather not have cars honking at me.

NYMXer

Bizman

Please let me clairify, this is not about a quick horn honk and pass safely, this is about blowing the horn for 3-5 OR MORE seconds and passing you closer than the law allows (PA is 4 ft), it is intentional mis conduct. As far as assault, I have saw it stated about blowing a horn at bicycles and the law and I am pretty sure it was on this forum as I only look at A&S here. Please keep you answers to the topic if possible, and explanation is fine.

mconlonx

I don't see that use of a horn is a violation anywhere in PA State Vehicle code, so no, use of horn is not assault. Maybe look through vehicle code and let us know if you find different? Or maybe PA case law?

hooCycles

I think it's kinda funny when a passing car honks at me. I think drivers think that if their car is quiet on the inside, it must sound quiet to a cyclist. Meanwhile, I'm thinking "Gee, thanks for beeping, I couldn't hear your two-ton steel cage barreling down the road at 40mph. I had no idea you were back there. Knowing you're about to pass me will really change the way I'm riding."

All that said, I really don't care. And as someone above me said, at least it means they saw me.

Chris516

I could care less about angry motorists honking at me. They can swallow my gas. They can have their gas and eat it too.

genec

I lived in San Diego for years, and rarely did I have anyone honk at me while I was driving... San Diego is the 9th largest city in the US, so I would think "crowded metro area" would qualify. What happened while I was biking though was totally different... people would honk, yell, rev engine... etc. Not all the time mind you... but it sure happened to me far far more often than when I was motoring. If a horn was honked at me while I was driving, there was a clear reason for the honk... But while cycling... well I suppose the reason was clear to them doing the honking, but not to me as a cyclist.

What I am saying here is that honking the horn is NOT the usual mode of operation for most folks most of the time. (I understand NYC is different in this regard...). But for some odd reason, honking suddenly becomes something to do in the presence of a cyclist. (who most likely was already aware of the approaching vehicle due to everything from tire noise to engine noise to exhaust noise--cars are anything but "quiet.")

Honking excessively may be a crime in some areas... I am not sure. But assault?

genec

Love it... especially the part in bold.... classic.

Even electric cars make at least tire noise... and if I didn't hear that, well it was likely due to the noise from all the other cars around.

I just spent the last four days camping in various state parks... I always knew morning was approaching, due to the increased road noise on the highways somewhere near the parks...

scott967

I would be curious if there was actually any case law where a honking motorist was successfully prosecuted for assault. Here in the 808 using a horn is pretty much a social faux pas. I rarely get one. When I have (mostly on the mainland) my impression it is done to harass, not to help. I might be over-sensitive though. I just don't appreciate someone blasting their horn right behind me. What goes through my head is something has gone wrong and they are about to run my butt over.

scott s.
.

BobbyG

Get a bumper-sticker or signage for your back that says something to the effect, "honk if you're...." and choose the disparaging remark of your liking. See what that does.