I for enjoyment listen to music of the birds, wind, dogs and the crickets. I listen for cars, trucks and morons for my safety.
Those that are listening to music while riding their bikes are usually the same morons that ride without helmets or any kind of lights or reflectors.

This is going to sound like the pot calling the kettle black, but I really think the second part of your post is a little judgemental without really establishing any facts. As far as hearing birds and crickets goes, I haven't heard too many of them in Surfers Paradise lately. Riding in even moderate traffic will make it impossible to distinguish one car from another. Doing so on the Gold Coast makes it impossible to distinguish one moron from another. Not that it matters all that much, it's far more important to concentrate on what is in front of you than behind -- that's where most of the trouble comes from.

The only real issue here is the distraction factor, and this is where I'm torn. They could even be a safety aid in such a situation by eliminating the malicious horns, abuse and so on.

I for enjoyment listen to music of the birds, wind, dogs and the crickets. I listen for cars, trucks and morons for my safety.
Those that are listening to music while riding their bikes are usually the same morons that ride without helmets or any kind of lights or reflectors.

Hey! Did you not read the posts before? I am not a moron. If you read MY post, you would have known that I CAN hear traffic. I just hear it a little lower. That means, YES, I CAN HEAR TRAFFIC, but I don't get blown off my bike by the idiots hooting out the windows, or 18 wheelers giving the "TOOT,TOOT. So try to be a little nicer, instead of calling those of us who enjoy our music morons. :mad:

Those that are listening to music while riding their bikes are usually the same morons that ride without helmets or any kind of lights or reflectors.

It's people that make wild assertions with nothing more to back it up than their own prejudices that are morons.

The only real issue here is the distraction factor, and this is where I'm torn. They could even be a safety aid in such a situation by eliminating the malicious horns, abuse and so on.


This has certainly been my experience. I find that music isn't a distraction at all. In essence it's just sound, and is no more or less an intrusion into my attention than any other sound. As long as my attention is on riding, one sound is pretty much the same as another.

On a more subjective level, I prefer music over the ranom cacophony of rush hour. And yes, I have noticed an incredible difference in my reactions to yahoos and horn blasts from passing cars. Without headphones, they can be quite startling. Not to the point of me losing control of my bike, but I do get a bit of a jump. With headphones on, they blend in a bit more and are not startling at all. It doesn't eliminate the sound, just renders it less jarring. I'm not saying that's a reason for wearing them - I'll leave that choice up to the individual - I'm just describing my experience.

I for enjoyment listen to music of the birds, wind, dogs and the crickets. I listen for cars, trucks and morons for my safety.
Those that are listening to music while riding their bikes are usually the same morons that ride without helmets or any kind of lights or reflectors.

Have you ever biked in heavy midtown traffic?
I keep saying this, you can't judge anything when sound is literally coming from all around you.

I'd love to listen to music when I ride but don't think it would be safe to do so. I work in a small town and often walk at lunch. When I walk I often have an earphone in one ear and listen to talk radio. Since I'm walking I don't have the wind noise of riding and I have the radio just loud enough to hear clearly. Still, I definitely can't hear traffic as well as without the radio.

On the bike sound is often the first warning I get. Many of the roads around have low traffic but have been coated with tar and loose gravel. The shoulders stay loose and rough much longer than the lanes. Since there is little traffic I can ride in the lane most of the time and move over when a car comes along. I can usually hear the cars coming from quite aways back.

I intend to get a 40gig Ipod - my heart doesn't work properly unless theres a mellow + painfully repetative techno track being played, I'm addicted to music and especially the repetative stuff :)
Oh - I also intend to have it on a low volume, I have the rude habbit of simply turning down my earphones when someone wants my attention and I hear them just as well as removing them , I'll have to experiment on the road - although my route isnt insanely busy with cars... id say one every 5 minutes wouldnt be unusual. The instant it becomes dangerous however its obvious which route we'd all take.

I'm with Allister and ChrisL. I ride frequently listening to football, music, whatever takes my fancy. It helps while away the hours on long rides. Sometimes I use ear buds and the volume is kept reasonably low. Other times I just use the radio which I have mounted on my stem. It does not interfere greatly with what I can hear traffic-wise. It reduces the impact of loud behaviour by other road users. I am a vehicular cyclist, my bike is fitted with lights and I ALWAYS wear a helmet. Usually, the radio is on in urban environments... reception disappears in hilly rural areas.

FWIW, put yourself in this situation: You are pedalling into a 25mph headwind on a busy road. I can almost guarantee you won't hear a car coming up from behind for the windnoise in your ears, and the noise of other vehicles. Same when going downhill at 65-70km/h. The, of course, How can deaf people ride bikes, or shouldn't they be permitted to because their handicap may endanger their lives? Oh yes, they cultivate the art of looking over their shoulders often, or fit a mirror. And finally, there is nothing worse than the bike rider lost in their own thoughts with nary a note of music about and not paying attention to what is going on around them. Now that is scary!!

Kathleen has proved herself a troll with the gun-toting thread she elsewhere. Too often, people make assertions based on myth and what others have said without really trying themselves.

I think its probably more of a hassle buy why would it be any different than listening to music in your car/truck or while riding a motorcycle?

Well you see in a car/truck you dont have headphones on, and that makes the difference. you can still hear other things around you. On a bike with headphones, it blocks out a lot, and you cant hear aswell. Maybe if you had a portable speakers attached on the end of your bike ;)

Well you see in a car/truck you dont have headphones on, and that makes the difference. you can still hear other things around you. On a bike with headphones, it blocks out a lot, and you cant hear aswell. Maybe if you had a portable speakers attached on the end of your bike ;)


I dunno, when I see, or rather hear, the Honda Civic pull up beside me, containing 3-4 kiddies with the constant WHOMP WHOMP WHOMP coming from the thing, I doubt they can hear.

Besides it's like Rowan said, what about people who are hearing impaired, they can still drive. My co-worker is hearing impaired, although she can hear her CDs when driving, but it has to be pretty loud. However, she notices EVERYTHING.....driving or not.

Digger

I still remember lying smack in the middle of an intersection, body parts and bicycle parts spread around me (it felt like), car-drivers and pedestrian running up to me to see if I was all right ... and all I could hear was the music by Evelyn: "Funny bunny boy, you're me sweetest little toy..." Surreal!

I wonder why NYC bike laws allow headphones...

"na na na... na na na na na na... breakin' the law.. breakin' the law.."

DOT allows only an ear phone and not a headphone.

In My Sony Walkman there is a function that drops dound volume to level 3 and it can't be adjusted higher. Even me that is deaf olmost on one ear can hear what's going on and enjoy the music.

My thing is using two small (but loud) speakers placed in my messenger bag and they are hooked up to a c.d. player blasting Boards of Canada.

DOT allows only an ear phone and not a headphone.

Yeah, to be specific, only ONE ear bud in one ear and it can't be a canal phone.

My thing is using two small (but loud) speakers placed in my messenger bag and they are hooked up to a c.d. player blasting Boards of Canada.

Try that with a Tivoli PAL, that thing blasts.

Is there any difference riding with headphones compared to talking on a cell phone? I think the cell phone is safer because you are only covering one ear. I have thought about riding with headphones but I think it would be too much distraction. I enjoy the site, and sounds, of the ride.

Is there any difference riding with headphones compared to talking on a cell phone? I think the cell phone is safer because you are only covering one ear. I have thought about riding with headphones but I think it would be too much distraction. I enjoy the site, and sounds, of the ride.
A lot of difference. With a cellphone, you're concentrating on what's being said, and thinking of your part of the conversation. It takes your concentration away from riding because you are part of a two-way communication process. With music, it is a passive process, and you are not hinging on every word... it's more background entertainment like the radio is in a motor vehicle.

I ride to escape the voices.

when i'm riding with music, i would usually listen to music, not to people. Its too much concentration listing to talk shows, i like riding with some music. But i dont have both headphones in, just one, and its not too loud, it should just be a background noise.

In California it's illegal to operate a vehicle (including bikes) with earphones covering both ears. A single earbud is OK. I've thought about getting a stereo/mono adapter and a mono earbud for my MP3 player but haven't tried it. I used to ride with a Walkman on lightly used trails but I wouldn't do it on roads. The one ear free rule would seem prudent even if it's not the law in your state.

In California it's illegal to operate a vehicle (including bikes) with earphones covering both ears. A single earbud is OK. I've thought about getting a stereo/mono adapter and a mono earbud for my MP3 player but haven't tried it. I used to ride with a Walkman on lightly used trails but I wouldn't do it on roads. The one ear free rule would seem prudent even if it's not the law in your state.
I wonder how people with hearing aids in both ears get on when they go by a police ossifer. "Excuse me sir, you know it's illegal to have earphones like that?" "Eh? Pardon, sonny, I can't hear you. Just let me turn the volume up!"

Funny, isn't it. The law was probably instigated by someone who has never ridden with earbuds, but would think nothing of enclosing themselves in a large glass and metal shell, with the air conditioner on full blast, and the radio volume up high as possible so they hear nothing outside their padded world.

If you've ever talked to the EMTs (ambulance and fire officers here), you will realise the frustration they have with drivers who simply will not pull over because they can't hear the sirens (or see the flashing lights) behind them.

I would suggest that riding with earbuds attached to a walkman or radio, at a reasonable level, is actually safer than driving in a motor vehicle when all the windows are up and the aural do-dads are in operation.

Listening to just one earphone gives me a headache, and is far more distracting than having both of them on at a lower volume. They don't block out outside noise, you know.

So, its unsafe to ride and listen to music in headphones, 'cause you might not hear cars, cuase an accident..blah blah blah...but i gotta question: how many of you out there actually listen to that safety rule?
I use an inexpensive am/fm radio that has it's own speaker, attached to the front of my shirt or waistband, louder when cars are many, quieter when they are few. It is LEGAL, and does not in any way interfere with me paying attention to my surroundings. I do use earphones on the same radio when I take my bike on the light rail, since all those people talking annoy me.

I've been debating this myself. When I'm riding, I have a HELL of a lot of wind noise in my ears; they stick out a bit. I really can't hear cars until well after I see them in the mirror, anyway.

Last year I experimentally rode with some sony open-air phones for one or two rides. I found that I could actually hear BETTER with them on, because they were somewhat aerodynamic and diverted the wind blast away from my ears (and kept the things pressed down a bit).

I'll probably give this another try sometime. What I'd probably be listening to is the NPR talk station. And, I'd probably shut it off near town where there's more traffic, but who knows?

John, try the 180's ear muffs. They're aerodynamic and fit flat against the ear. It helps reduce a LOT of wind noise for me in the winter.

i would never solo train without my headphones...i would never group train with headphones. its all about how comfortable and solid YOU are on YOUR bike. it really doesnt matter what anybody else thinks...do whatever the h(eck) you want.

I listen to music but I ride on a trail. No cars to worry about. Not sure if I'd use them on a road or not. I have a mirror but it's nice to hear 'em coming.

I just ordered these in-ear buds: Sony MDR-EX71SL. They should kill off most, if not all, of the wind noise I get using regular headphones. Inexpensive, too.

I listen to music but I ride on a trail. No cars to worry about.

People who can't hear and respond to "on your left" calls are what generally make bike paths useless.

People who can't hear and respond to "on your left" calls are what generally make bike paths useless.

Most people really can't hear you anyway, of course this depends on.....

1) If you have a loud voice.
2) How fast you are going.
3) If they are talking to someone else.
4) Whether they know their left from their right.

I found that most people that are taking up the trails are walking 2 to 3 people side by side. Some are cycling, but very leisurely. They are talking and not paying attention. You have to yell really loud or slow down considerably to make sure that they hear you in time. If you yell at them, they get p*ssed off cause you yelled. Most of them don't know their left from their right at a split second and they panic. Sometimes it's a no win situation.

be the passer...not the passee...no problem

People who can't hear and respond to "on your left" calls are what generally make bike paths useless.

I didn't say I didn't keep right at all times. Sheesh. :rolleyes:

I also have (and check regularly) a mirror. And like someone just said: I'm the passer, not the passee...

I always ride w/ headphones but I keep the left side headphone out of my ear so I can still hear everything.Music helps keep me going,I get bored if I ride w/o it.

Wally World had radio/headlight/horn units on sale for TEN BUCKS (half price) yesterday.

Of course I did! :)

Wally World had radio/headlight/horn units on sale for TEN BUCKS (half price) yesterday.

Of course I did! :)Naaa too heavy.

Yeah, but considering what I already cart around with me, I don't even notice it. My bike is more packhorse than Thoroughbred! Anyway, it saves me carrying a separate radio and I need the headlight since I often don't get home before dark. I've been using a little flashlight type that I got for $1.50 from the Buck Or Two. It works, but it could be better.

Hey, I got a complement from a cop night before last for having a light, helmet and back flasher! Gives you an idea of the usual kind of rider he sees - dark, dented and dumb!

Hey, I got a complement from a cop night before last for having a light, helmet and back flasher! Gives you an idea of the usual kind of rider he sees - dark, dented and dumb!

You sure he wasn't hitting on you? ;)

Well, thanks, but there's a reason I don't have a picture link on my profile! For one thing, I probably had ten years on him (sigh). I think he was just impressed that I didn't have a bag of beer cans five feet high like the rest of the bike riders around here! This neighbourhood is the Official Armpit Of Surrey, not to mention the acknowledged car theft capital of the Western world. I'm not making that part up. According to statistics we even beat New York City!

I rode in today with headphones on, listening to Morning Edition on NPR.

I think in the dark there's no reason not to. I can see a car's headlights in the mirror about a mile back. It's funny that some of them beep at me when they're 50 feet back, just a little "hey, car back" beep. Yeah, like I couldn't see your searchlights for the last 2 minutes. I'm undecided about using them in the daytime. Sometimes I do get surprised a bit by cars behind. I think I'd use them if I had my eyeglasses mirror on; with that I don't get surprised, but I do with just the bar-end.

Anyway, I think it impedes my hearing a bit, but not much; as I said before, it actually cuts the wind blast noise.

The phones I use are Sony MDR-G56's pictured below. They have an in-line volume control; I think that's pretty important for this use, so I can dial up/down as conditions warrant without having to fumble around looking for the radio in my pocket.

The commute sure went faster this morning...

http://www.elbatv.cz/inshop/pictures/store/SONY_MDR-G56_m.jpg

Never. I ride in urban traffic, and my ears are 360-degree eyes. I have to be able to hear what's going on around me, even if I'm trusting my fellow vehicles not to run me down. I would liken it to doing donuts in a parking lot: I'm practicing a skill that I might only need in an emergency, but in an emergency, if there's the slightest aural clue that disaster is about to stike, I will be prepared for it.

For a while there I had a fun exercise where I would try to guess how many and what kind of cars were coming up to pass me.

I've heard that listening to Led Zepplin sucks your soul straight down to hell.

So maybe music isn't dangerous, only damnable http://home.earthlink.net/~d_rinker/smiley_evilGrin.gif

I've heard that listening to Led Zepplin sucks your soul straight down to hell.

In that case, it wouldn't bother me at all. I'm already there. http://www.maplebacon.com/sbbs/emoticons/evil.gif

I rode in today with headphones on, listening to Morning Edition on NPR.

Radio buddys

OK, I did part 2 of the experiment on the way home tonight. I can hear cars behind me almost exactly as far back with the headphones on and playing as with them off. With them on and not playing, I can hear better. With them on an playing, I can still hear dogs barking inside houses, the horses whinnying in the pastures along the ride, etc.

I sure wouldn't listen to music at normal levels, but NPR talk at volumes just loud enough to understand without straining is fine for me, in combo with headphones that block wind blast on my hears.

Yesterday on the rail trail, I came up behind a rider whom I see almost every time I'm out there. She has lights front and back, and a mirror, so you'd think she was all about safety. However, she had headphones on, with the volume way up, and she was swerving back and forth across the ENTIRE path such that I couldn't squeeze past. I shouted my intent multiple times as I got closer, even squealed my brakes (the brakes on that bike sound like an elephant...ancient bike, lots of issues), and got no response. Didn't see me in her mirror. She finally noticed me when I was practically up her butt and squealed the brakes again, and she gave a little surprised shout.

Lots of people ride/run/walk the rail trail with headphones on. In that setting, I think it's no problem, even if you can't hear me, as long as you can move in a straight line on one side or the other. Apparently, some people can't.

OK, I did part 2 of the experiment on the way home tonight.
John, I admire the fact that you have bothered to go out and experiment, and so no wyou can make a valued contribution to the debate.

I noticed another poster who said they were "practising skills" by not wearing earbuds or headphones. Just what skills are they? Evading the following car that is about to hti you from behind? How do you practice for that (rhetorical question)?