Make some noise for the bicycle air horn

Inattentive motorists can kill cyclists. The Air Zound bike horn emits a 115 decibel blast that will let even the most distracted driver know you’re there. The handlebar-mounted air horn draws from a air reservoir attached to your water bottle cage or other convenient location using the velcro provided. After around 50 blasts of the horn the reservoir needs refilling using a standard bike pump.

If the 115db volume is too much, it can be moderated with the turn of a switch.

World’s loudest bike horn

City cyclists who battle to get themselves noticed on the roads can resort to the ultimate deterrent against inattentive truck drivers; a bicycle equipped with a horn that is louder than Concorde.

The Hornster bicycle was developed by us at the ETA to highlight the dangers that cyclists face on city roads. Trucks are involved in over half of cyclist fatalities that occur in London.

The triple air horn fitted to the bicycle is an Airchime KH3A from an American locomotive, which has been adapted to run off a scuba diving cylinder.

Watch the Hornster on Youtube

The Hornster is so powerful that at a distance of 100ft it is far louder than a standard truck horn and more than noisy enough for a cyclist to make themselves heard above the din of the urban jungle. A spokesperson for the ETA said: “The same quietness that makes bicycles such a civilised way of getting around makes them vulnerable to inattentive motorists – the Hornster is a wake-up call for drivers who don’t pay attention to bikes.”

How loud?

  • Hornster: 178db (3ft) 140db (50ft)
  • F-14 take off with re-heat: 130db (50ft)
  • Concorde (landing):119db
  • Typical lorry air horn: 110db (100ft)
  • City traffic: 78db (central London)
  • Conversation in restaurant: 60db

Have you insured your bike?

Get your quote now

Our fully-comp bicycle insurance covers against theft, accidental damage and vandalism AND includes £2m third party cover

Win your own bicycle air horn

We can’t promise it’ll have the same effect as The Hornster, but at 115 decibels the Air Zound will certainly make your presence known. We have one to give away. To be in with a chance of winning, simply leave us a comment below and we’ll pick a name next week.

The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover  and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK’s most ethical provider.

Comments

  1. Eric Ludlow

    Reply

    Bet I could shout louder than this…

  2. John H

    Reply

    Just what you need for cycling in London I think.

  3. Mark B

    Reply

    Please give me the horn. It’ll give my finger a rest!!

  4. Keith

    Reply

    Let”s hear it for this brilliant invention.

  5. David Gray

    Reply

    Not sure about this one.

  6. Peter Clark

    Reply

    Being seen on a bike is important but being heard looks like a lot more fun

  7. Fred

    Reply

    Poop, poop!

  8. Lonnie

    Reply

    My grandson would love one of these

  9. Paul S

    Reply

    Beep beep or should that be honk honk great prize .

  10. Peter Chisnall

    Reply

    Blasting!!!!!

  11. Matthew Newell

    Reply

    Definitely better than shouting Oi! Which is the current method of letting car drivers know they have to look *before* they pull out/change lane.

    Love to get that horn on the handlebars

  12. Bryn Gwyndaf Jones

    Reply

    Just the job!
    I think that all bikes should have one.
    I used to have an air horn for boats on my bike, which students kept blowing.

  13. Mark B

    Reply

    Please give me the horn. It’ll give my finger a rest!!

  14. Chris Bromwich

    Reply

    I like my bell and in most cases it is sufficient, particularly for other cyclist or pedestrians, but I think the addition of the air horns for motorists is a brilliant idea, so yes please.

  15. Doug M

    Reply

    This appears to be an essential accessory, especially when using cycle lanes with inattentive pedestrians walking along them.

  16. Vincent Procter

    Reply

    I could have the horn.

  17. Gavin

    Reply

    I was honestly going to get one of these a few years back for my commute/work bike – never got around to it… with a bit of luck 😉
    Aye, aye
    Gavin

  18. David Farmer

    Reply

    Beep Beep’m Beep Beep Yeah!

  19. Raf

    Reply

    This will be a rezounding success on the daily commute!

  20. Les Gunbie

    Reply

    Meep meep …

  21. Ema

    Reply

    Not sure it is loud enough for London! 😉

  22. Edward Dymock

    Reply

    I’d be much happier for my daughters to be in traffic on their bikes if they could make their presence known with a Air Zound bike horn!

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