I commute to work daily - and train by myself, so most of the time I listen to music or the news while I ride. I feel it is safe because I keep the volume to a level where I can still hear traffic, kind of like a responsible (not blasting 1000 watts throught the speakers) person would do while driving a car. What are peoples thoughts on this and why?

I think it's fine as long as you keep it low. Same with a car. One day I was blasting the stereo really loud in my car. I was sitting at a red light and when it turned green I started to go. Right before I entered the intersection a firetruck went screaming through, blowing the red light. I couldn't hear the damn siren until he was right on me. If he had come along a few seconds later, I would have been toast. I can't imagine how tough it would be for a deaf person on these crazy roads.

I don´t use headphones because I want my attention 100% on the traffic (or as much as I can). Therefore I believe all things that draw your attention from traffic is dangerous. Even if you think you can handle it, sooner or later you are going to focus a little too much on the music, and then...

But that´s only my opinion

Anders K

I definately don't use headphones. No way! Not with crazy drivers out there. Even with low volume....not gonna do it. I keep all my attention on my surroundings including rear-view mirror to check and see who's barreling down on me.

I often see some crazy people with headphones sort of lolling about, not paying attention to stop-lights and bike lanes. A good way to find yourself face-2-face with the asphalt.

I find a radio or music distracting while riding.

I do listen to the radio while driving or occasionally while running though.

I commute to and from work, so in the morning the only thing on the radio are the laughing hyenas of morning radio. Listening to these jokers would be too much like torture. I just can't do it.

I guess I just prefer the quiet. I think maybe I am overstimulated, or possibly I am just turning into a cranky old guy.

I personally don't for the reason that even at
low levels it masks out the sounds of cars
approaching from behind.
Hell, I have enough trouble with headphones
on Rollers let alone the road

Marty

You´r not alone

Anders

i used to ride with phones on but then abandoned it for a few reasons. the distraction factor was high and a disc is only so long... too much hassle to change them and the radio is completely worthless. i noticed i was able to get deeper into the ride without them... and now the soundscape makes its own kind of music, and i'm much more involved in my surroundings without necessarily seeing everything.

I don't do a lot of road commuting. Even when I have to I still jump on trails at all possible times. That said I wear headphones and always have. I just let my other senses work the roads.

Sure. Why not just put blinders on too?

Actually it depends where one is riding. If you're on a deserted stretch of road or trail, why not?

I have a little Awia stereo that I bunjee on to the rear rack. It's the perfect size. Not a boom box. Small enough to pack away in my Camelbak. It delivers just enough sound to keep me company and not drown out what I need to hear. No headphones involved. A bike with a sound system. Pretty cool eh?

NEVER!! NEVER!! NEVER!!

When I'm on the road (which is 98% of the time) I want to hear everything around me, whether it is a very quiet rice rocket behind me, another cyclist trying to pass me, or just the wind.

Safety is my top priority when riding!
Music and news is for times when I'm not focused on something as important as staying alive while trying to share the road with the "non-cycling public".

I'm just curious if you guys that think this is a safety issue listen to your radio and/or keep your windows up while driving a car. See my post above about the firetruck.

Open air headphones on a low volume don't really drown out any sounds that are close enough to be a danger to you.

But music draw attention from traffic, even at low volume. That´s the thought with music, that you shall listen. Otherwise it mist its point.

Anders K

In the great state of Ohio is it illegal to wear headphones while riding a bike (and I think while driving a car too). I never have or will wear them. I'd rather hear the traffic sneaking up behind me. I see people doing it all the time and nobody seems to get a ticket from the police. Probably like a seatbelt law. If you break another law they'll get you for the minor offense too.

If you need to listen to music while you are riding, then you are missing the point in riding.

Depending on the type of ride I do makes a diff. on my choice of music and if I will listen to music at all. When riding with others I won't bring the headphones if it is a casual xc ride. If we go out to try new drops, jumps or there is a competitive atmosphere, I will bring the music. I also like to have music on long road rides.
Slainte

Not for me. I have tried riding in headphones, but I actually found that the music detracted from the whole riding experience.

The professionals do wear headphones, don't they? I see it in the Tour de France, but only when they are doing the time-trials. I'm not really sure whether they wear them in other stages. It is supposed to be a communication between the coach and the rider, where the coach tells the rider what he's doing right and what's wrong.

However, I voted no. I don't think it is very safe. Definitely not Will Smith's Black Suits Commin'. I guess I'll start nodding my head and forget about the surroundings. If it is really boring on a long ride, turn it really soft, so it won't distract you too much to the extent you risk your own safety.

I've never used headphones. I ride in center city Philadelphia and let's just say that the drivers here are not that safe to be around. Besides the fact if I were headphones how could I possible hear all the lovely drivers cursing me out.

~Mike

This actually happened to me about 2-3 years ago. It scared the crap outta me. Now my music is low enough to hear others honking and sirens.

And no I do not use headphones...I do not want any distractions while riding.

I'm a little surprised that no one has spoken about all the extra grams of weight a headset might entail.

When I firt started riding I always had a headset on. I stopped when I realized I couldn't hear my cell phone while listening to the radio.

Carl

Absolutely not, it drowns out all the other little voices in my head

No car is created as such to drown out a fire truck. I challenge you to find one car with a stock stereo that is at 50% volume that you can't hear the siren less than one block away. Perhaps you were not focused?

Open air headphones on low wouldn't be adanger, but heck you probably couldn't hear them!!

To each his own, but I depend on my hearing to help me negotiate traffic.

I have a simple rule while riding - no thinking about anything but the ride. I ride fast and to keep myself safe I want all my attention on the road (looking at the scenery is allowed.)

Whenever I catch myself thinking about work or cooking dinner or anything else, I re-direct my mind to the road. Riding is the only time I can get my head really empty and the stress relief is unbelievable.

Needless to say, no headphones, ever.