The cycle commuter behind the world’s loudest commercially-available bicycle horn stands to make an estimated £1 million from The Hornit this year — despite the idea being turned down on Dragons’ Den last month.
Tom de Pelet designed the 140dB Hornit after years of cycle commuting. He told London newspaper The Standard: “I had so many near-misses while commuting and Ironman-training on London’s streets, and one frustration kept popping up: if a driver hasn’t noticed me and I’m in danger, I need something to make them see me.”
“Being in the Den was a mixture of fear, terror and enjoyment,” he said. “You put your life and soul into your business and the programme has the potential to turn it and you into object of ridicule in a few moments. But with hindsight, the outcome of my encounter with the Dragons could not have been better.”
Win a Hornit
We have one 140dB Hornit bike horn to give away. Leave a message at the bottom of the page and we will pick a name at random on Friday 20 March.
Making a noise for cyclists: The Hornster
The Hornster bicycle holds the Guinness World Record for loudest bike horn. We developed it to highlight the dangers that cyclists face on city roads from heavy lorries. At close quarters, the Hornster bicycle emits a level of sound so powerful that if used in anger it could deafen any motorist who veered too close. The bike was not built to go on sale, or to injure any road user, but as a protest; a way of highlighting the inequality between motorists and vulnerable road users.
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 – we built the Hornster as a wake-up call for drivers who don’t pay attention to bikes.”
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
Not your run-of-the-mill cycle insurer
ETA cycle insurance was developed by a group of us who are avid cyclists. We tailored the policy to the way that most of us use and store our bikes. It’s the reason we don’t devalue your bike over time, or charge extra for £5m third party cover, friends and family cover, cycle breakdown or cover when you take your bike abroad. Most unusually for a cycle insurer, we are passionate about riding, building and promoting bikes. Take a closer look at what we offer in our cycle insurance or get an instant quote.
For 25 years we have been providing straightforward, affordable bicycle insurance. Whether you use your bike to commute, shop, race or amble in the park, ETA Cycle Insurance has you covered.
Many cycle insurers offer very limited cover, charging extra for features we believe should come as standard – such as third party cover, personal accident or extension of your cover to family and friends. ETA Cycle Insurance provides one fully-comprehensive package for total peace of mind, whatever your cycling needs.
Every cycle insurance policy you buy helps support the work of the ETA Trust, our charity campaigning for a cleaner, safer transport future.
Marc
As a fellow London cycling commuter, I’d go for one of these!
Scared Amoeba
Bells aren’t loud enough!
Stuart
Would certainly help with making inattentive drivers pay attention!The hornster is also a lovely looking bike.
Stavria
The hornit sounds like something we should all have on our bikes! i would love one!
Tim
Ideal for the city streets!
Neil Woolford
I don’t need the Hornster, but a Hornit might be just the thing for my commute on my old Dawes Galaxy.
Neil
Toby James
Would love to see if it’s easier to use this than shout at the drivers
Doug Milsom
Every cyclist on the road needs one of these!
Doug Milsom
Every cyclist on the road needs one of these! I’ve often needed one.
Joel Halligan
Let’s see if it’s as un-bell-lievable as it purports to be…
Justin Douglas
Fantastic! I love the idea of a massively loud horn. I have always enjoyed your Hornster video, so if something similar has now been miniaturised then that is brilliant. Of course, the other option, which I enjoy & can be quite fun, is a confidently delivered loud hail, “Coming through!”
Paul Stupple-Harris
Great idea and would save my lungs and larynx
H stubbs
Would be more than useful to have, cycling through France this summer!
Andrew Harmsworth
Cambridge needs this! Hope I’m lucky! 😉
Toity Deave
The test is whether it can get through to those wearing head and earphones!
Rod Wark
The Hornit would be a huge asset to our planned charity cycle tandem this summer, through dozens of potentially risky Norwegian tunnels on the way to the Arctic Circle.
See:
http://www.cycletothecircle@wordpress.com
Chris Rigby
At last a means of letting motorist’s know just how inconsiderate and/or blind they are.
Duncan Campbell
Ooo yeah, sign me up. No-one even bothers to react to a bicycle bell even when it’s a near miss!
James Beasley
This could be a life saver…….Yes please!!!!!!!!
Alan Donnelly
Looks more compact than the AirZound I was using before the pipe connecting air reservoir and horn sprang a leak…. Is it as loud?
Chris Child
I’ve been waiting for a compact, yet loud, horn such as this. Finally, I can go out on my bicycle…the wait has been so painful.
markymark
i’d like to win this please
Mark B
I’d love one. It would be a blast!
Bob
Oh that’d be wonderful my wife’s commute.
Francis Voon
I beg your pardon?
David Smith
Bwaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrp!!!!!
Gail G
Could do with a Hornit – the pinging bit snapped off my bell, I’m a silent cyclist now
Vivien Sproule
SOUNDS useful.
Anna Green
It would make an ideal birthday presnet for me! I’m 60 this year and I’m cycling LEJOG to celebrate.
Peter Chisnall
This will make them jump!!
Peter Clark
Go on then…
Richard
Yes please
Alex
Great idea. Long overdue. Saves the frustration of not being noticed or heard.
Kate Goss
Just what I need to get those pesky people and their dogs out of my way when I’m going to work.
Diane Whateley
Would also be handy to warn pedestrians on shared paths who wear headphones whilst taking their dog for a walk on extendable leads- dangerous or what!!
Peter Shirley
Well if you’re giving it away………
Ian Stewart
Toots mon the noo.
Steve Padmore
will they be used on joint use cycle paths to warn pedestrians to dive into the hedge?
chris
great idea, dragon’s don’t cycle so see no need, they just breath fire at dangerous drivers, me I could do work a hornet.
Andrew C
Looks good, should last longer than an AirZound.
Gavin Sharp
You wouldn’t want to be stung by one of these.
Wayne Fox
HOOOOOOOOORNIT, innit.
Craig Scott-Angell
I find a bell and a holler great to announce your presence to pedestrians on quieter cycle paths but cycling in the noisier city and towns no one pays attention and there is no way a driver would hear you. One of these solves that problem.
Mark Beaumont
A must-have for the City commuter!
Thomas Lankester
Previous loud horns have been air powered and mine lost pressure. An electric one seems a better design.
Nick Goldie
Sounds good! Honk!
dan towner
I’d love to have one of these.
Malcolm
Give it to them with both barrels : -)
drew fell
Sounds great
Geoff Fairman
If one or more lives are saved over time by using a Hornit then you are definately onto a winner!!!
Peter Norman
It looks sexy! Ands sounds Horny! 🙂
Chris Johnson
That’s a hoot!
andy
Honk honk
Darren C
Would prove very useful on my daily commute, that’ll wake up a few drivers I hope!
andy lee
Better than a truckers horn. Wake a few sleepy morning commuters up.
Kevin H
Should be loud enough to get the texters to look up from their phones!
Anthony Lambert
Have always loved the North American locomotive horn! Hear that lonesome whistle blow. Great idea.
John S
Nice
Matt Hodges
Does it still work in the wet? I bought a different electronic horn which seemed OK till I wanted to use it in the rain. Water had got in and was stopping the diaphragm vibrating properly. I just squeaked.