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.

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Permalink Reply by durian rider on October 10, 2012 at 10:58

Riding in a group with music? Stupid cos you need to be alert for what is happening in the bunch around you.

Riding in traffic with music? Yeah thats different cos you aint calling out holes or listening for riders directions up front.

This Monday I just rode 220km http://app.strava.com/rides/24359858 listening to Tyler Hamilton's new audiobook 'The Secret Race'. I rode solo and have one of these mirrors on my race bike. More for fun than safety. http://www.aspirevelotech.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&am...

If I am blasting thru tight city streets I don't ride with any sound but open roads for sure.

If Im riding on bike paths and dawdling I stay hard left vs zig zag'n in the middle click'n my fingers to the beat.

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Permalink Reply by crickets on October 10, 2012 at 12:16

I rarely ride road with others, pretty much always solo. If with others, of course, no headphones. That kinda defeats the purpose of riding with someone.

When by myself I always, always listen to music. Always. Always. Always.

I've commuted for 7 or 8 years now, ridden bikes since I was 13 (27 now) and always listened to music since 15 or 16... whether it be a walkman or mp3 player or iPod or iPhone or whatever.

Never once have I had an accident (and I have been involved in a few) that I could honestly chalk up as being due to the music. And some of those accidents I was at fault, some not.

I find that your most important asset is your eyes, thinking ahead and knowing how drivers think. And of course experience helps.

At the same time I don't listen to music so loud that I can't hear cars etc. About 50% volume on my iPod nano means you can still hear background noise, still know when a car is coming up, say hi to a passing cyclist, etc.

Reading through the thread it actually surprised me to see how polarized attitudes were to listening to music. All good though, we aren't all the same!

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Permalink Reply by Simon Lownsborough on October 10, 2012 at 12:23

I find that your most important asset is your eyes, thinking ahead and knowing how drivers think. And of course experience helps.

Agree with you Jimbo. You have way more experience than me, but I have ridden 14000K in the last 2 years, and not had any issues. Only time I don't listen to music is when its raining. Or VERY windy.