prairiepedaler

One thing I've noticed over the last 18 months or so after 14 years of riding 365, is the large increase in the number of ambulances on the road. The sirens are (literally) a pain in the ears, sometimes so much that you have to stop and muffle them while the ambulance goes past. An inconvenience while riding on a busy road let me tell you! Some of the ambulance drivers notice the bicycle rider and back off on the screamer until they've passed, to which I usually give a thumbs up so they see it.

I'll occasionally wear ear plugs too while riding and I always ride with a sideview mirror.

There has been a marked increase in the number of heart and stroke events during this recent timeframe of a year and half with no signs of slowing down. Others have noticed this proliferation of ambulances too, from all over the place.

indyfabz

Rolla

I haven't noticed any increase in sirens, but I wouldn't wear earplugs while riding, regardless.

rsbob 

What you need are ear plugs which only reduce or cancel high intensity sound but allow you to hear relatively normally otherwise. https://www.amazon.com/Eargasm-Music...jaz10cnVl&th=1

Besides, the name of the product is a panic

badger1

That's just terrible -- such an "inconvenience" for you. Awful.

I'm sure that the patients being transported to the Emerg wouldn't mind at all if they were delayed a few minutes receiving emergency treatment so that you are not 'inconvenienced'. After all, their potential quality of life, or even survival, is nowhere near as important as your tender little ears.

urbanknight

Those particular plugs do not reduce only high intensity sound. They drop everything about the same decibel level so that you still hear the balance between the highs, the mids, and the lows. I use something similar (Earasers, which work better despite Eargasm being such a better name) when rehearsing bands so I can still determine the balance and blend while reducing the total decibels to a less dangerous level.

What I think you were trying to suggest are "active noise cancelling" ear plugs, which are much more expensive and (the last time I looked into them) have to be custom made and molded for the intended user. Those actually listen to the sound coming in and only reduce the output if the incoming sound goes over a preset level. I never ended up trying that type because of the cost, but they sound like a good idea for when you want to otherwise hear softer sounds without hindrance.

SurferRosa

Should ambulance sirens really be this loud? Really? Everyone suffers because some fat ******* had a heart attack?

delbiker1 

Where I live, the main road going into Bethany Beach, Atlantic Ave/rte 26, is usually the only road I ride on where this happens frequently. It is a 2 lane road with a middle lane for turning and no shoulder to pull over to. If there is any traffic, I stop and get off the road to avoid all the traffic slowing and changing their driveline. It also allows me to stick a finger in my ears. I have sensitive ears due to years of working in night clubs and loud music, and also a lot of firearms shooting when I was younger. I would not wear earplugs of any kind while riding, and it is inconvenient and unsafe to try to use them just in the emergency siren situation.

coffeesnob

just be glad its not you they are transporting

skidder

They have to be loud to account for the noise insulation most cars and trucks are equipped with these days. If its annoying you and you notice the emergency vehicle making all that noise, that's an indication the siren is doing its job. Same thing with fire alarms in buildings - if it wasn't loud and annoying, no one would pay attention to it and they wouldn't heed the warning to evacuate the building.

mstateglfr 

Winnipeg must be the global epicenter for increased ambulance use.
I live .5mi from a fire station and along one of their 4 main routes and can't say I have noticed an uptick in sirens in the 10 years I have lived in this house.


Just listen to music thru ear buds. Itll dull the pesky noise associated with saving people's lives.

Troul 

this thread delivers.

wolfchild

^^^^^^^^
Terrible advice for somebody who commutes through busy city traffic....Why would you dull and compromise your sense of hearing and awareness by wearing ear buds ???

Daniel4

I don't blame the ambulances at all. How many times have I seen cars still trying to race through the intersections as the ambulances have to slow down and honk?

mstateglfr 

1- partly joking, it's why I called ambulances 'pesky'.
2- figured I would help move the conversation along since the initial issue is so funny to me.
3- I can hear music and ambient sounds at the same time.
​​4- I can hear what's happening with ear buds and music on my bike better than I can when in the car with no music. Hearing isn't required for staying safe on roads when in a vehicle or not.

This has been hashed out with you ad naus. You just ignore realities and ramble about your confirmed biases.

Troul 

Wonder what deaf people should do? Don't go outside at all? Not being able to hear is insensitive! /s

indyfabz

Bush league trolling.

indyfabz

That will be the only person who is glad.

SurferRosa

At least your post was silent. It didn't really bother anyone. Unlike a ******* loud *** siren which bothers everyone for a rambling square mile.

SurferRosa

​​​​​​​

indyfabz

What’s good for the goose…

And the iggy list grows again, my sock friend.

indyfabz

And yet you felt compelled to respond—twice.

SurferRosa

I'll do the same. Thank you for mentioning it.

livedarklions

This one is aspiring to bush league trolling.

SurferRosa

Is there an echo in here?

Why is it "trolling" to express a strong opinion about sirens in a thread about sirens??

Everyone is so uber sensitive about opinion these days.