NEVER... EVER.

Riding is the time i unplug. I turn the sound off and enjoy the ride.

Sometimes earbuds on low volume

this exactly

I use the phone's speaker. Music is the most important thing to me that isn't a living thing. I play multiple instruments in multiple bands. But I'm also legally blind and use my ears to alert me more than most people so I don't feel safe covering my ears.

I use noise-blocking earbuds like so:

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=452622
Cuts out 80-90% of wind noise, so you can actually hear the music. I run the wires under the back of my jersey and loop them over my ears. Keeps the 'buds from getting dislodged.

Sorry, not trying to be argumentative here either...this topic comes up every 3 months or so and it usually turns into a big argument is all (for the record, I usually argue on the side that says if you want to wear earbuds and feel safe doing so, than wear earbuds).

This seems to be one of the discussions that doesn't have a clear winning side and the people that pick one side or the other are usually quite adamant about why the other group is wrong or overreacting. I usually join in because these threads become quite amusing.

When I first started riding, I never wore earbuds. I was paranoid that if I didn't hear the world around me, that I'd get hit or swerve into traffic. When I did try wearing them, the first few times I found them to be more of a distraction then anything. I had difficulty keeping the rhythm of my breathing synced to the bike and not the music (if that makes any sense), if a song was slow, I'd pedal slow...if a song was fast, I'd pedal faster and mess up my pacing. It wasn't until I started commuting by bike that I picked up listening to music again. I missed listening to tunes in the car during my commute, so I gave earbuds on the bike another try. I now find it to be more of an aid than a distraction and usually wear earbuds every time I ride by myself. I also don't find it to hinder the attention I pay to the world around me.

Music? Rarely.

Sports talk radio podcasts in one ear? Usually.

I never listen to anything so loud that I can't hold a conversation with other riders, or hear the traffic around me.

The one time I was hit by a motorist, I wasn't wearing earbuds, and never heard anything that warned me I was about to get hit.

Before I answer that question, I have a few of my own for the OP. Are you a cop? Are you patrolling my regular routes? And what's the penalty if I do listen to music? :innocent:

Podcasts for me. I seem to hear ambient noise fine.

Do you listen to music while riding?

I recently posted to this thread on the A&S Forum, “Headphones & Cycling”:

I worry about not being able to hear vehicles approaching, or other cyclists passing, so no. I've seen other people riding around with little speakers on their bikes, but I don't think I would want to subject the public to my musical taste!

loosely in one ear. I even take that one out on a small busy stretch in the morning. I like to line up my cadence with the songs. It's relaxing to me. Enough stress everywhere else in my life.

I have never have.

But in a general way, I do not listen to music anyway. Have not for decades really. Have thought about a way to listen to something ELSE on the radio, but never looked into how to do it without losing the important defensive listening posture.

Music seems to be very IMPORTANT to some folks, but is not to me...maybe that comes with age I dunno ??

Bill

I do, about half of the time. Generally one earbud in one ear, and usually low enough not to drown out ambient noise. It is neither distracting, nor does it prevent me from hearing traffic sounds.

While driving though, with the windows up and the air conditioner blowing it's harder to hear approaching traffic so I prefer to keep the radio off.

I FaceTime while listening to music.

Listen to music? Hell no!

a)I want full situational awareness. Even though i use a good mirror, I often hear cars before I see them.

b)I like to be quiet/like to experience my environment, rather than have artificial outside stimulation.

I don't generally listen to music during any activities.

I do especially on bike only path while commuting to & from work

Nearly every time I go out. for decades... Even with music playing I have no trouble hearing cars approaching from behind. Just look over your shoulder before turning.. You should be doing that anyway..

i listen to music whenever i can. i'm full blast speaker guy. usually only do it in very familiar urban environments tho.
i like scaring peds, rogue mup users and dogwalkers. country/desert/mountain riding...i'll have it on but much lower.
i find the music motivates me to go a little harder at times and/or farther most rides.

Yes, in ear while commuting.

Bluetooth speaker (Boombot Rex) on an out-front mount in front of the stem. I don't blast it, I play it at just enough volume to get over the wind noise. I won't do headphones, I only own in-ear, and wouldn't be able to hear anything at all other than the music. I ride alone 90% of the time, so it's me and the music. If you're one of those that can ride 3+ hours just with the silence and your own thoughts, more power to you. I work to music, I ride to music.

On regular bike paths, I listen to music, turned pretty low. The earbuds I use are Bluetooth, and do not "seal" against the ear canal, so I generally have no problems hearing things around me, but again, I keep the volume turned down... just enough to give me a nice background soundtrack.

I don't use them at the start of organized events though... but, once the crowd has thinned out, and I'm no longer passing or being passed regularly, then I might pop'em in.

As for the danger of what happens if you wreck... well, that's a rather hypocritical argument for we that wear clipless pedals, IMO. There ARE dangers, but whether or not you accept the risk is your business. Heck, I've seen people *texting* with one hand while riding a bike... but I draw the line at doing that, lol.

I not only listen, I make the music. Hands free, playing an accordian. Helps clear the path on a MUP. No need to signal. For maximum effect, break out the bagpipes.:roflmao2:

Deaf people are allowed to drive, but cyclists wearing headphones are distracted and as dangerous as texting teenagers intoxicated well above the legal limit.

I wear earbuds because I feel there's less wind noise. 8-10 hours a week alone with no music? I'm not that dedicated. Never listen to music if with a friend or in a group though. I find it more rude and socially unacceptable.