Listening to music while riding - harmless or hazardous?
I have always wondered with this. Is it legal to wear your ipod while riding? What hazards does it place on other road users/peds etc.
I am a bit against it personally, as the ear phones with loud music can impede ones ability to listen and concentrate on traffic etc. especially if you are riding in a group scenario. Someone with ear phones rides off while people at the rear may have had a fall etc.
What are the legalities of this, pro's & con's? For or against? Please keep the discussion civil.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Just another psycho-list on -
Most of the music they play at my gym is crap.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Murray on -
I find my hearing invaluable coming up to a roundabout. Wouldn't want to use an iPod commuting.
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Permalink Reply by Derek Hasel on -
It is NOT illegal to use ear phones whilst riding. I have that directly from a friend who is a Superintendent of SAPOL who is also a bike rider.
I listen to music when riding solo, NEVER in a group. A decent set of ear phones from 'Yurbuds', etc will allow you to hear vehicles behind.I guess if you are riding as close as practicable to the left and not sitting in the middle of the road it matters not if you hear a car behind you or not.I have been riding for more years than I can remember have used ear phones for the same period and have not had an issue riding with them, than I would not have had wearing them or not.
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Permalink Reply by Derek Hasel on
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Here is the link. I bought the 'Inspire-cloth cord'. However I bought them on E-bay as the postage was $5 from USA and not $30 from the Company. The Ebay seller was 'wiredforless' Happy listening.
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Permalink Reply by Rob (Chewbacca) on -
never worn an ipod even on those epic rides Melbs to Adelaide.....like to be able to hear the B doubles instead of feel them :)
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Permalink Reply by Anthony Collyns on
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Personally I wouldnt do it. Its hard enough trying to guess what the traffic around is going to do, let alone doing it deaf. As for the legal ramifications if you cause an accident,well who wants to go there ?
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Permalink Reply by Richard Stevens on -
Use to listen to music whilst commuting for years (with mirrors).
Since cycling took hold a year ago I never listen to music when riding with others. Whilst riding solo I usully ride wiith one earpiece in and pop that out if approaching another rider so I can say gday! The more I ride the more I'm finding that I'm not fussed if I have no music...
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Permalink Reply by Just another psycho-list on
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I used to listen to my ipod often when riding. I made sure to be very aware of everything around me all the time. I took to using it to block out the yells and wolf whistles from idiots in cars, after experiencing some frightening incidents in the metropolitan area.
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Permalink Reply by Simon Lownsborough on -
Music is good on solo rides - not too loud that I can't hear traffic. I commute every day and have never had a problem.
I pull the plug when I'm on a group ride - and sometimes, when you are in the hills early (ish) Sunday morning, well, all you want to hear is the sound of your tyres and the birds in the trees…
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Permalink Reply by Don (Who's lost?) Nairn on -
Personally I enjoy the sounds of the outdoors like the water in the creek gong up Norton Summit.
Perhaps it depends on if the journey or the destination is what you ride for.
Will this get me labeled as a serial rose sniffer?
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