EboniLM

Good idea or no?

A part of me feels that it's best to have complete awareness of your surroundings while you're on a secluded trail. That includes soun, which would be impaired by music. especially if you're spoiled by noise cancelling ear phones like myself...

but a part of me feels it'd make the miles fly by faster. It certainly helps while i'm in the gym, anyway.

What do you guys do? yay or nay? if there are any ipod listeners, what measures do you take to ensure maximum safety?

bobdell

I only use mine on the mup

CraigB

I don't tell people what to do. But since you solicited opinions, I'll say that for myself, I would never, ever consider using anything on a bike that would or could impede the flow of information regarding my surroundings, regardless of whether I'm on a road or a MUP. Things happen way too fast and the consequences are way too severe.

Rancid

I don't necessarily think its a good idea but I do it sometimes. When I do I try to mitigate risk- single non-noise reducing earphone on the right ear turned down pretty far.

Looigi

I sometimes listen while road riding. You have to decide for yourself based on how and where you ride and what you believe the tradeoffs to be.

I have yet to find an in-the-ear headset that doesn't make wind noise worse.

FrenchFit 

Good idea - no.

I wear headphones, too frequently. Especially on long rides. I use the loop kind which do allow you to hear some road noise, car approaching from behind, and they do an excellent job of reducing the wind howl. Sometimes I wear them just to quiet down the ambient noise while riding. https://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR-J11G-...1456032&sr=8-2

But, it's a risk.

webist

I don't.

Monster Pete

A pair of speakers in a front basket or otherwise mounted near the handlebars would be great. I wouldn't use headphones when riding, any more than I would when driving a car.

tagaproject6

A&S

Transformer

It's as good an idea as riding on the sidewalk. The two seem to compliment each other very well from what I observe in Oakland.

HokuLoa

Seriously. Gotta love november....

OP there are soooo many posts on this topic and opinions are about as polarized and subjective as any "good" BF religious debate. Try the search function and you will get more of each side than you probably want....

At a basic level it doesn't have to be dangerous but putting both earbuds in (rather than just the right side) is definitely more dangerous.

Arrowana

This. Lately, I've been riding a lot with a backpack, and I attached a set of speakers to one of the straps. I can hear the music and everything going on around me just fine.

DataJunkie

Even I am bored of this topic.
<insert witty insult here>

nathan.johnson

Wear them or don't; it's your choice.

ThermionicScott 

Why do you want to make the miles go faster? Don't you enjoy it?

bigbadwullf

It's your life. Do as you please as long as you aren't going to hurt someone else. For me, it throws me off. Feel like I'm in a tunnel or something. Just throws my balance off. I could see me doing it on a ride where there was no contact with others.

bigbadwullf

Just wait as Christmas draws nearer. The flames really start to fly then! People stressed out to no end.

pg13

Its really just personal preference though if you have the music up loud yeah that would be more dangerous for riding and your ears. I ride with both buds in but only have the volume up enough to kind of replace the city background noise with it. Still hear tires behind me(car and bike), people talking, beeps from crosswalk lights, or wheelchairs(both kinds). If want to listen to music but rightfully concerned about safety go 1 bud as others have suggested or speakers. Accidents happen with or without buds and odds are even if heard something a split second before without buds it would probably still happen anyways same as it most likely would with buds but Ill be honest without is a little safer than with both/one.

AlphaDogg

Whatever you do, DO NOT wear headphones. On the Denver MUPs, headphones are banned (but people still wear them anyway). They prevent you from being able to hear your surroundings. My pet peeve is when I say on your left, wonder why people don't react and then notice they are wearing headphones. I listen to music on my iPhone, mounted on my stem through the speakers.

pg13

@alphadogg Banned by who? Think I might want to look up our bike laws here.Is it posted somewhere or ? And umm Im very able to hear my surroundings with mine in and plenty of people without buds often dont react saying on left/right then have to swerve around them or if no room sit behind them until they hear me or just move out of the way though not because they noticed. Unaware people are unaware whether they have buds or not though Ill grant there are more with than without..I think

AlphaDogg

If you look at the signs with the map of the trails and the rules, it clearly states "do not use earphones while on the trail."

SPlKE 

Not OK for people who are unable look behind them every several seconds without swerving.

OK for people who are able look behind them every several seconds while also holding their line.

DataJunkie

Thanks but no thanks.

pg13

Hmm wonder if thats really legal though? Or are they more like suggestions? Because it says wear a helmet and it looks like its on a guy thats walking All well Ill have to check our signs here...well if we have any been awhile since Ive been on any trails sadly

GaryPitts

I always wear them and enjoy the music. They are the open air variety though and are non-blocking. The music is not real loud and I can hear my surroundings quite handily.