CB HI

Obviously he could hear her yelling, even if he did not understand the words, so it is clear that the headphones did not cause the collision. It was just plain bad, rouge cycling.

Cyclist0383

No, he couldn't hear her yelling as he didn't even look at her before hitting her. He took the headphones off as she was on the ground and asked her 'what?' He couldn't hear a damn thing as she was yelling.

Cyclist0383

Why are you being obtuse?

TVS_SS

this is ********... how is riding with earphones/headphones any different than driving in your car and using the radio.

Many of you probably have a Lexus or other luxury car... by your same argument you could state that all luxury cars should be outlawed because it reduces the noise from the outside.

Lets just call it like it is... there are many stupid human beings out there. Whether they are driving a car or riding a bike, the possibility of them causing a crash is very high.

Digital_Cowboy

Not trying to be, just trying to point out some viable explanations as to why the cyclist didn't hear your wife screaming.

Cyclist0383

Headphones would be the most obvious answer considering he was wearing them......

Cyclist0383

How do you feel about talking on the phone and driving?

CB HI

Back at you!

905 

This isn't an ideal thread to be unearthed, but for obvious reasons it was irresistible. Here goes.

Music on the move is a pleasure, not a dangerous distraction says yours truly in an appropriately aged opinion piece. I know you're supposed to kill your darlings, but it felt like the editor cut my balls off:

The fact is I can usually kinda sorta hear what else is going on. I'm not exactly in an isolation booth, and I still have my other six senses.

There is an obvious downside to quoting people in zombie threads, but please bear with me.

As to the general point of spacing out, here's a short questionnaire:

When is music not a distraction?
A. When in control of any vehicle heavier than a bicycle

B. If a surgeon, performing an operation

C. Those times you have a baton in your hand and are quite dressed up


I rather liked this:



And finally, on the subject of
I offer the UK version (speaking of zombies), and the US congress in all its fading glory.

Cyclist0383

^^^^

I'd say it was a distraction to the woman weaving all over the MPU who couldn't hear me screaming at the top of my lungs whist trying to pass her today. She didn't hear my bell, she didn't hear me politely ask her to move over so I could pass, and she didn't hear me screaming either. Although she did almost plow into me as I was passing her. On a bike in a city is no place to block out of your senses.

905 

That's quite an escalation. I hope all your thwarted overtakings aren't quite so dramatic!

bmontgomery87

I ride with a bluetooth speaker in my bag. I can hear traffic and communicate but can still enjoy my music.

achoo

Airzound. Get one.

If you're polite, you'll hand her some toilet paper afterwards while telling her, "Next time, pay attention."

Cyclist0383

Up your trolling skills. 2/10.

905 

My observation is merely that screaming is seldom required when overtaking another cyclist, particularly if one has had time to politely enquire first. In my travels in chaotic London, which is basically an obstacle course, I have never had to shout to avoid what some of my compatriots call zombies, whether pedestrian or cyclist. A few startled strangled yelps perhaps, when a walker has suddenly veered off the sidewalk into Oxford Street without looking.

And I'm not. I will happily admit that not everyone is like me.

CB HI

A lot of people space out no matter what they are doing, music or not, so stop blaming the music.

Saving Hawaii

Isn't what an airzounds is for? Nice quiet bike to sneak up super close then...

keyven

What's so hard about using a single earphone and exposing the other ear for warnings? I regularly ride with only one ear plugged (pavement side).

I cannot fault pedestrians - even though I don't like it - for having both ears plugged, because they are hardly a danger to anyone but themselves IF they follow the rules and stay on the sidewalks.

However, cyclists share the road with fast-moving vehicles where it is several degrees more dangerous. Willingly denying yourself one of your major senses is a big, unnecessary risk imo.

achoo

The problem with pedestrian iDiots is when they DON'T follow rules, or do things unexpectedly because they don't know they're about to be passed.

keyven

Yes it is indeed annoying. Especially those who drift randomly on a pathway that can easily accommodate at least 2 to 3 human beings. They walk near the middle and just sort of weave all over the place as if joggers or cyclists or anyone walking faster than them do not exist.

Chicago Al 

linnefaulk

I can see why Florida has outlawed headphones while biking.

Rollfast

That's the case in most, if not all of the US.

Al, that borders on the border...

These iPod zombie cyclists are also planning the takeover of the world in the next cinema epic, "Dawn Of The Shred".

Rollfast

They are used to it?

905 

Nor is it permitted while driving in the Sunshine State, though they haven't outlawed car stereos, which apparently have the magical property of not being distracting.

Music on a plane, music on a train,
Sailing on the ocean, music in the motion.
Music in your car, at your local bar.
There's music when you look at a star.

There are number of vehicles cruising in here to a driving soundtrack, without incident. I think a cyclist would fit right in: lycra on a Village Person? A perfect fit!