Thacher

I was wondering if it is illegal in Southern California or anywhere for that matter to ride a bike with headphones on.

Nermal

I know it is illegal in some places, but not which states. Since it is not against the law for deaf people to ride, I'll put this down as just dumber than snake snot.

ken cummings

It is illegal to use a full dual cup headset in Colorado. Sister-in-Law Julie learned why when she totalled her car because she could not hear the real world. When I was a commercial passenger van driver in LA the company disabled all van AM/FM radios for that and other reasons. If someone is riding with even one ear bud they are not riding with me. I ride the bike to be in the real world.

Shemp

I occasionally ride with an ear bud in my right ear. Depending on wind direction, wind speed, and riding speed, the wind noise usuallyy does a better job of obscuring surrounding noises than does the single ear bud. Unless it's a still day and I'm riding slow, the mirror is much more useful to me.

Bizurke

I know in Iowa it is illegal to use headphones while driving or riding (operating any vehicle). This of course only applies to streets, highways, and things of that sort. I personally use some ear buds while riding some of the more flat, simple, doubletrack around the state. With 10ft of space, hardly any turns, and no hills I feel quite safe with my hearing obstructed.

Though I understand it's not as safe as it could be when using headphones it makes me think.. What about the people driving with their car stereo blaring so loud all the people in the neighborhood hear it, do they hear everything around them clearly? I think not!

I-Like-To-Bike

Would you mind pointing out any written reference to bicycles and the illegality of headphone use in Iowa. If there is one, no one in this area is aware of it.

sunofsand

I wear buds and listen to the mp3's when I feel like it. Most times I'll be listening to music but sometimes not. I think I'm faster without music ..other times it's the other way around depending on if I chose good music or not. I listen as loudly as I want. I'm still very aware of the road. Only time when headphones would be a danger is when approaching intersections since other than that you're traveling with traffic. I cross when it's safe and not always when I'm directed to by the light.

Jarery

I'm capable of operating a bycicle in traffic with music in one ear perfectly fine. I can also chew gum and wave at people while riding a bike and listening to music at the same time. Heck, ive been known to talk to people while on a group ride which is apperently the ultimate in dangerous multitasking.

If your one of the special people who cant do two things at once safely, then by all means dont wear an mp3 player. In fact, you should probably stick to bike paths and stay off any street with traffic

edit: i dont listen to music while on group rides, just in case the said special people also have trouble with jumping to conclusions

DataJunkie

broken record
broken record
broken record
broken record
broken record
...... n+1

Now if anyone has anything actually new to add......

eubi

https://www.dot.state.ia.us/mvd/ods/d...l/section6.pdf

Page 57

https://www.dot.state.ia.us/mvd/ods/d...l/section5.pdf

Page 52

Yes, this is tough to find. Took me close to five minutes

soze

Sometimes I wear a pair of those headphones with the band in the back around my neck and blast songs off my iPod, but no way in hell would I cover up my ears. Too important to hear the world around you.

webist

I don't listen to entertainment while riding at all.

boscatman

I will use while riding offroad.
I will use sometimes on road, like on park roads where traffic is very light.
I will not use on highways!
But I do have a problem with "some people" who freak at the site of ear buds!!! Can you say control issue!!!!!!

efrobert

I like to hear all the people I pass tell my how awsome I am!

Nachoman

I rarely listen to music while biking, but when I do it is so low that it's really more like background music, which I barely hear above the noise level of the wind.

I-Like-To-Bike

Well you got close and the Driver's manual is a "reference" for those about to take a driver's license test, but it is not the law, and is especially not the law for bicyclists. The driver's manual does not prohibit bicyclists from doing anything.

So let me be more specific, what code or law regulates or forbids the use of headphones by bicyclists in Iowa? No conjured extrapolations, please. BTW, the listed URL's do not come up with the page numbers 52 and 57. I did a search of those URL's and could not turn up anything prohibiting bicyclist's use of headphones.

Michigander

Headphones while on a bicycle? The results could well be less pleasent than treating yourself to some wasabee snooters.

Urban Shooter

broken record

gokfei

Have you ever been hit by a car that you didn't hear coming? It's generally a matter of safety when you're biking in the city. Sure, the volume could be set quite low but hey, you might have a weak glasses prescription but you're better off with perfect vision right? But if you want to learn the hard way, there's plenty of roadkill to be had...

kyle!

it's tough not to listen to really really really really fast punk when i bike but i avoid it. i'd just rather concentrate on the ride.


broken record.

Katrogen

I don't feel its the best idea for myself but I live right off this 4-lane 55MPH road with gigantic bike lanes. I'm up and down that boring road (its just a country road gone urban, very straight and emptyish) everyday to summer school. Its about 6 miles or so. I wear earphones, listen to the radio on a Rio, and truck my way up the route. Its personally been doable because of my defensive driving skills. (I've saved myself from numerous wrecks)

I will not say though there is no risk involved. It is much safer without headphones!!! I myself have just accepted the risk because its two weeks of dull commuting until I get the car fixed. Its quite refreshing listening to the radio also before school, it guarantees a good mood.

This is all in preference though.