Deaf and Hearing Cyclists

[watchtowergoggs]

I've been thinking about joining up with a cycling club in Edinburgh. Mainly because I want to cycle with like minded people on a social and casual ride.

However I am deaf and I've never ridden with a group of cyclists before, deaf or hearing. I can't wear my hearing aids when I cycle unfortunately, because between the helmet and my cycling glasses, the back of my ears gets rubbed raw pretty quick. Plus sweat and hearing aids just don't mix!

I'm aware that communication within a cycling group is pretty important and I was wondering if anyone on this forum had any experience of riding with deaf cyclists and how they got around any communication issues during their rides.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Good luck with that, and I hope it all works out . As someone who needs to wear hearing aids also, I can relate to what you said. I don't do group rides myself, though, so can't offer you any useful advice, sorry, only encouragement. Welcome to the CC fora, by the way.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Most on-road communication is via hand signals when riding in a group.
It would probably be helpful if you made the group aware that you are not wearing your hearing aids as they might speak to you and not realise, and think you are ignoring them.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Most on-road communication is via hand signals when riding in a group.
It would probably be helpful if you made the group aware that you are not wearing your hearing aids as they might speak to you and not realise, and think you are ignoring them.

But I'd imagine very few cycling clubs would have experience of relying on hand signals alone Wheels for Wellbeing, while being based in London, are very much involved in a cycling for all policy. Worth giving them a call or email them for leads and advice.

 

[summerdays]

I've cycled in a small group with someone who is deaf, with limited hearing, so they did occasionally react to noise. They tended to ride near the front, and we just were aware and the person right at the front could make a few extra gestures where needed.

 

[growingvegetables]

Nothing practical to add/suggest (I've only done this http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/tandem-riding-with-a-blind-stoker.109740/ - and haven't seen the guy for a wee while; guess my cycling was so poor even he could see it )

But - just a thought - I'm guessing a club would get quite interested in "working out something" that works for both you and them? Give it a go!

 

[fossyant]

Other than what Marmion said, clubs do use hand signals for road obstructions in a group - "CAR UP/DOWN" shouts would need revising from a club. I assume the OP can lip read, just letting the club members know could help if they turn to speak to you. It's not always easy to chat anyway.

 

[Globalti]

I reckon it would help if you had a trusted buddy just ahead or alongside who could signal to you. Actually the only time when you really would need to know something would be when a car was about to pass from behind and that's bad enough for cyclists with good hearing thanks to the rushing sound of the wind in the ears. More often than not I can pick up the hum of a car engine behind me but there are times when I'm caught unawares, despite checking behind from time to time. I actually wish drivers knew about this and would appreciate a polite pip on the horn from 100 yards back.

What do you do when out cycling alone?

 

[jarlrmai]

Just make sure everyone in the group, especially the leader is completely aware of it.

 

[watchtowergoggs]

Cheers everybody, I appreciate your thoughts very much.

I guess it will be a case of figuring out what works best for the group and me through trial and error.

Hand signals/gestures sound promising, apart from those in the highway code, the one-fingered, two-fingered, wrist shaking variety, are there hands signals that group cyclists use that a complete novice like me might not pick up on?

This will surprise people, but deaf people only pick up about 30-50% of the words through lip-reading and the rest comes from body language, facial cues and guesswork. We're no better at lip-reading than hearing people to e honest. It's difficult to do when you are stationary and in good light, never mind trying to cycle, read the road and watch someone's lips at the same time. I'd love to meet anybody who could do that, they'd have a very special talent!

When I'm out on my own, I simply follow a variation of the mirror-signal-maneourve routine. I always check over my shoulder on a regular basis and look around when my gut feeling tells me something is not right. I never move into a lane, or signal without looking around first. I do the same on the approach to junctions and crossings, I don't really worry too much about traffic ahead of me as it's the things happening behind me that worry me more.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Some people (like myself) use rearview mirrors to avoid having to turn your head to look behind as often. It doesn't have to replace looking behind, but it can reduce the need for it.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

are there hands signals that group cyclists use that a complete novice like me might not pick up on?

There's a point-and-shake kind of gesture when there's a hazard ahead (often potholes or broken bits of glass). But when there's something really urgent, people tend to hold on both brakes whilst shouting ''Oh F***.'' That, I'd guess, is a body languagereading situation.

 

[Crankarm]

OP - do you not have any hearing at all, one ear, both ears, partial hearing? As others have said speak to the club and make them aware and then they should be able to make sure you are safe and feel welcome. Good luck.

 

[w00hoo_kent]

The Ride London ones are pretty universal.

 

[steveindenmark]

Is their a centre for the deaf near you? They may know of cycling groups for the deaf?

But that does not mean you wouldnt be able to fit in fine with a hearing cycling group, try it.

Steve