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 Mark H on -
Your right, hearing a car will not stop them, but it might give me cause to slow or stop.
I commute through back streets every day and I'm always listening for cross traffic, It gives me forewarning before I have clear sight of the approaches to the intersection.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Murray on -
I commute through back streets every day and I'm always listening for cross traffic, It gives me forewarning before I have clear sight of the approaches to the intersection.
Particularly on smaller roundabouts which are supposed to slow traffic but often cars just blast through because they can't see another car approaching. Beulah Road Norwood is a good example.
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Permalink Reply by Frank on
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Very serious!
Being spacially and sound aware is one of lifes biggest assets, just ask a deaf person.
Use your ears and be aware especially with a head-wind and soundwave struggle to reach us.
How many accident have you had @Andrew B? Sounds like a lot so a bit more awareness can only help.
Car door opens and you suddenly swerve to miss hit but listening to your Ipod stopped you from hearing the B-double approch and squashes you like a bug.
Be safe and care for your hearing, its a huge asset so use it I suggest.
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Permalink Reply by MarkK on -
I think youre trying to win an argument based on some dream you have..
if a doubleB is heading in your direction its going to squash you regardless, unfortunately we have a real world example in that poor girl who was walking her dog.
cearly i'm not some super cyclist like some of you, maybe I Ieft my super abilities in the State Team i I rode for.
and seeing as youve made this personal yes ive have around 6 accidents in 30years of riding but the only one i heard coming was Mike Turter skidding up behind me so i guess the 3 stiches i received was clearly because ive lost the ability to fly vertically up. ( i doubt it would have helped, turter's head would have blocked me)
bringing it back on track, yes you loose to awareness to hear distant cars at intersections but you learn to stop and triple check. that is why many people have accidents with cars is because they become too trusting or think they are above the skills they actually have.
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Andrew, there is no argument to be won here, it's pretty obvious!
I live to dream by the way but am no super cyclist but commuting for over 35 years in many countries and now riding for the last 4 years as a recreational sport, I can say that riding with head phones on is irresponsible at best but let that be my opinion.
I express my opinions and yes they may not suit but that's all it is!
By all means ride or run with ear phones just be extra aware that's all!
Everyone out there be safe and come home to loved ones, too many people's lives lost or people injured for my liking!
Besides, I love hearing the silence of the bike and the sounds of nature, I am no tree hugger but that is part of the joy!
I also love the sound of the free wheel and the lack of ill fitting running gear noise!
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Permalink Reply by Gus K on -
Not for me. If I am by myself I like the silence of the early morning, the sound of rubber on tarmac, the freewheel, my perfect stroke and I do turn my hear to stop wind noise to hear if cars are coming.
Interesting points of view posted. Thanks everyone.
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Permalink Reply by Andrew Dickson on -
I agree - I like the silence and the headspace that that silence opens up. I tend to get lots of good ideas when riding a bike, and I tend not to get those ideas when I'm listening to music whilst riding.
I once drove across the country in a car with no radio. Similar gig - I just enjoyed the quiet headspace with no distractions.
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Permalink Reply by Alasdair McLellan on -
My two cents is that it's probably not a great idea for amateurs.
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Permalink Reply by Scott Mansell on -
Pretty good topic again. I am mixed, in groups, no music, but on longer solo outings sometimes opt for the iPhone in my armband with it played through the phone speakers at a moderate volume. This way I can hear the tunes as the arm is close to your ear when riding, and also hear the traffic and maintain a conversation if needed. As mentioned in some posts, when the wind picks up, you cant hear the music though, but good for uphill when the pace is slower! Moderation and moderate volumes I think work.
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Permalink Reply by Shav Bird on -
I can see the logic in this and have seen it work on some riders. As Alistair mentioned, not the best suggestion for new riders, but maybe at moderate levels it could work.
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Permalink Reply by David B.o.R. on -
I used to ride everywhere with one ear bud in and a collection of old Smiths/New Order/Blur et al tracks loaded on to my ipod. Then one day I decided not to. That day I clipped on a brand new cygolite, left the ipod at home and rode into work as per usual. Fat lot of good it did, I was bowled over by a car that day.
I haven't put an ear bud in since, but that is mainly because I found myself having to let myself be hyper-aware for a month or so as I got back on the bike. I have simply fallen out of the habit of listening to music as I ride and now, especially on the rides through the hills, I sort of like not having music in my ear.
This being said, I'm not sure it matters particularly if you are listening to music, if you have a mirror, bell, 12 metre neon sign that flashes CYCLIST in bright red letters, if you aren't car-shaped you are invisible to someone that s not looking. All we can do is make ourselves as visible possible to those that are looking.
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Permalink Reply by Brian Jenkins (BJ) on -
As 'vehicles' on the road when we ride, we're required at all times to ride with due care and attention, with reasonable consideration for other road users. To introduce a distraction goes against this. If you're able enough to keep concentration with ear phones in and not be distracted .... In listening to vehicles coming from behind, I pay particular attention to noisy vehicles accelerating, or deeper rumbles indicating a larger vehicle. These are vital clues to having a glance back to see whether I need to take evasive action. In the Hills/country, by listening closely I can usually tell whether a vehicle coming from behind has moved out enough to allow me space on the road. Riding into the wind is a pain, as they're up to you before they're heard (I know Mike, a mirror would help then).
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