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 Martin Turner on -
"Would you hear the music over your freewheeling campy hubs?"
Who needs any other sort of music? :)
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Permalink Reply by Adam Williss on -
One of my pet hates is being caught behind cyclists who are not aware that I am behind them when they have got ipods plugged in and clearly louder than I can yell. I call out, try to get their attention and they are in their own little world. Bloody dangerous to themselves and others.
Have struck this on bike paths regularly (veloway & freeway in particular), but the worst was on a fast, slightly downhill section of the TDU ride this year where someone was riding in the middle of the road, no-one could get past him, and he had no idea that he had banked up a bunch of riders - everyone was forced to take risks to get around him and no amount of shouting to him could get his attention.
If you believe that you can still hear fine with the music turned down, then I have no beef with that (as long as that is really the case). I only detest those that have it so loud that no external noise can get in....
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Permalink Reply by Martin Turner on
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Had same problem during RLC this year as we were heading up the freeway and it got alot worse on last section of bikeway towards The Bollards. People riding way out on right side of road/track and no way of getting past them because I wasnt 100% sure they could hear my warning as I came up behind them.
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Permalink Reply by Just another psycho-list on -
Maybe some riders are genuinely deaf.
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Permalink Reply by Matt Brennan on -
I think an ipod wrecks two of the best things about riding - talking to others, and getting into the outdoors.
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Permalink Reply by Just another psycho-list on
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Yea, it's like people who wreck the beautiful, natural sounds of the sea, with their ghetto blasters, when you are at the beach for a relaxing day.
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Permalink Reply by Matt "Boz" on -
It is funny - when I used to run\jog - I could not do it without the iPod\music - so when I transitioned to cycling I would really miss it - but I haven't yet :-)
Music used to motivate me - watching my Garmin and trying to improve average speed, climbs and cadence is what keep me motivated now on rides :-)
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Permalink Reply by Shav Bird on -
I think its a bit different with running. You are moving at slower speeds so you tend to have more time to react upon situations. Cycling being a faster moving sport requires more concentration and judgment when negotiating traffic and other peds and road users.
But yes, I kind of agree, cycling pushes you to beat your last result every time u ride.
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Permalink Reply by Matt "Boz" on
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And when I used to run - it used to be in the Hallett Cove Conversation Park - so only had to worry what was ahead of me - no need to worry about cars or cyclists.
Cycling does push you to beat your last result every time u ride - but sometimes it is nice to sit up and enjoy the view and take it easy
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