WDB
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Posts: 7,425 
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Noise
Sept 5, 2018 19:01:17 GMT
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Post by WDB on Sept 5, 2018 19:01:17 GMT
Thoughts left over from, but not specific to, the Electric cars discussion. Vić and Lygo will have had the same experience as me, moving slowly in a car park or residential street and surprising a pedestrian who wasn’t alerted by the engine noise, because there isn’t any.
There are suggestions that we should overcome this by requiring electric vehicles to carry noise generators, but I’d like to suggest another solution: don’t.
Noise from fossil engines is an artefact of the 20th century, like fax machines and flares. Yes, we got used to having it around, but it does us and our towns and cities far more harm than good. We as pedestrians looked where we were going before it came along, let’s now learn it again and embrace the quiet.
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Deleted
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Noise
Sept 5, 2018 20:17:58 GMT
Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2018 20:17:58 GMT
I was swimming in the outdoor pool of our club a couple of evenings ago. I realised it was really quiet and peaceful. Compared to swimming in the pool at our apartment, when even on a quiet weekend afternoon there is constant background noise. It was lovely.
So yes, get rid of the noise. I fear however that the government has already mandated some noise generating device for electric cars?
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Deleted
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Noise
Sept 6, 2018 8:28:32 GMT
Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2018 8:28:32 GMT
Mine emits a whistle at below 18mph when moving, but yes, I've still surprised a few people. Luckily I'm anticipating this and allowing for it. Don't mind this in the slightest, all part of sharing and caring. Will obviously stop if someone gets too close to being touched by the car.
I agree, let's not create artificial noise. It's not a significant risk.
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Noise
Sept 6, 2018 8:59:37 GMT
Post by commerdriver on Sept 6, 2018 8:59:37 GMT
Mine is absolutely silent on electric, the upmarket "advance" model has a noise generator. I don't think we need a constant noise generation but I would like the equivalent of a bicycle bell, or quiet-ish horn in some form as a gentle "I'm behind you" reminder. The horn on mine is at a volume & tone which would not disgrace a battleship, way too loud to use, except in an emergency.
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Deleted
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Noise
Sept 6, 2018 9:02:33 GMT
Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2018 9:02:33 GMT
That's interesting, my horn is absolutely feeble, pathetic and embarrassing. I think it's been made that way for precisely the reason of gently alerting pedestrians to one's presence. The feebleness of its peep also discourages use in anger I would say. You'd look a right prat trying to rebuke someone with it.
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WDB
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Posts: 7,425
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Noise
Sept 6, 2018 10:16:18 GMT
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Post by WDB on Sept 6, 2018 10:16:18 GMT
... but I would like the equivalent of a bicycle bell, or quiet-ish horn in some form as a gentle "I'm behind you" reminder. Yes, some kind of driver-operated warning that’s subtler than the horn would be useful. I do wonder whether it would be legal under current regulations, though. The i3 horn is in between the GTE and Vić’s Leaf; too aggressive for a polite reminder, but a bit feeble compared with the CLS’s Wagnerian presence. No engine to supply a vacuum for an air horn, I suppose, and a dedicated electric pump would be gratuitous extra weight. |
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Noise
Sept 6, 2018 13:27:39 GMT
Post by lygonos on Sept 6, 2018 13:27:39 GMT
B250e does the "drone below 18mph" thing but it doesn't sound like a car so it is easily missed by pedestrians.
The horn OTOH is a typical Teutonic "F*CK YOU" and too loud to use as a gentle warning.
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Avant
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Posts: 691
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Noise
Sept 6, 2018 16:47:38 GMT
Post by Avant on Sept 6, 2018 16:47:38 GMT
I think I'd agree with the 'no noise' brigade - after all, a cyclist is quite capable of taking out a pedestrian withut much noise apart from out-of-breath panting. (The fit ones who don't pant have enough experience and sense to avoid pedestrians.)
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