Fed-up cyclist develops world's loudest bike horn to alert motorists

Inventor Yannick Read has unveiled a bicycle horn that's louder than Concorde.

The keen cyclist, 41, designed the world's most powerful cycle horn - The Hornster - after repeatedly getting cut-up by car and lorry drivers.

He carried out extensive modifications to a Dutch town bike, fitting an 'Airchime KH3A'  triple air horn taken from an American locomotive.

The horn runs off a scuba diving air cylinder and emits a staggering 178 decibels.

An F14 fighter jet, in comparison, is 130db while the deafening roar of Concorde landing is a mere 119db.

[Related Story: Best cycling to work gear and gadgets]

And tennis star Maria Sharapova caused controversy at Wimbledon with her grunting - but that was just 101db.

From 100ft away The Hornster is still far louder than a standard truck's 110db horn.

It is so loud than when riding the bike Yannick has to wear ear defenders as he terrifies pedestrian and other road-goers.

Yannick, from London, developed The Hornster with the Environmental Transport Association to highlight the dangers cyclists face on city roads.

It is claimed trucks are involved in over half of cyclist fatalities which occur in London.

In the past, the militant cyclist built a bike which was fitted with a James Bond-style flame-thrower.

He said: "In all cities there is a problem with lorries which don’t look out for cyclists so we thought we would get our own back on them with The Hornster.

"The same quietness that makes bicycles such a civilised way of getting around makes them vulnerable and The Hornster is a wake-up call for drivers who don’t pay attention to bikes."

The Hornster is now for sale, but it will set you back £4,995.