Headphones and Cycling! Is it safe?

[JoysOfSight]

And 6 of the 8 posts for "JoysOfSight" have been on this thread - there seems to be a link between the user name and the agenda.

I wonder if this is an alter ego account.

I've lurked here for a while (mainly via links through youtube videos) but managed to resist having yet another forum to contribute to - until now that is.

Unfortunately the username I wanted was taken, so I chose a username based on the topic I wanted to contribute to. I don't think it's particularly strange

However as you point out, all of my contributions have basically been ignored - I genuinely wonder why I bothered. (Well, apart from the post where I suggested anyone who looked at people with their earholes had dubious anatomy, which I stand by!).

Still, please don't worry about the actual discussion if post count top trumps is where it's at.

 

[NigC]

Just to restate my stand on this, in case anyone thinks I'm completely anti-headphones:

As mentioned, headphones may actually improve your ability to hear what's happening around you by reducing wind noise. So provided the volume of whatever being listened to is low enough so as not to drown out the outside world, I see no problem with that whatsoever. I listen to music when I'm driving (but at a low volume) - I actually believe it HELPS maintain concentration, especially on a long drive.

Where I DO see a problem is when the headphones make it difficult to hear emergency vehicles approaching from a blind side road or a vehicles horn warning of impending danger. These are by far the most dangerous scenarios and a reason I strongly suggest people don't deliberately drown out their environment.

Personally, I prefer to avoid them altogether as 1. They're uncomfortable and 2. I prefer to hear what's going on around me - my choice.

But it's all down to you to make your own choices based of what you think is right for you

 

[Glow worm]

I always have headphones in during my commute and never have any problems hearing traffic. I guess the trick is to have the music on at a fairly low volume which is what I do, so you don't have any problem hearing. My iPod vol goes up to 24 and I keep it between 14 and 17. (24 for Pogues of course- that's the law). Been doing it for 20 odd years now and no worries so far!

This debate's a bit meaningless in some ways as everyone's different with different competancies and preferences, so it's each to their own really and leave it at that.

 

[Jezston]

Where I DO see a problem is when the headphones make it difficult to hear emergency vehicles approaching from a blind side road or a vehicles horn warning of impending danger. These are by far the most dangerous scenarios and a reason I strongly suggest people don't deliberately drown out their environment.

I don't think there are any headphones on the market capable of delivering a signal loud enough or to attenuate external noise sources sufficiently the prevent the listener from hearing sirens or horns!

 

[chevron]

Just strap speakers to your bike. I think one person suggested this so far. It's clearly the best of both worlds!

I use these - http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=97922
They go surprisingly loud, and as there is a gap in the middle you can just thread some cable ties through the middle and strap it onto your handlebars.

Great for social rides as well.

 

[NigC]

I don't think there are any headphones on the market capable of delivering a signal loud enough or to attenuate external noise sources sufficiently the prevent the listener from hearing sirens or horns!

You may well be right - I have no idea. But if the volume is loud enough, these vital external noises may not be as prominent to the wearer and could possibly get ignored. But I have no knowledge from which to draw any conclusions, so I could be wrong here

 

[Jezston]

Oh no it's a fair point, and I think anyone listening to incredibly loud music on headphones (or indeed a car stereo) are being foolish whatever they happen to be doing at the time, but it's a point I feel is overemphasised and needs to be countered

 

[JoysOfSight]

Just strap speakers to your bike. I think one person suggested this so far. It's clearly the best of both worlds!

Doesn't this cause a danger for other cyclists, who have to flog it past you to escape a bombardment of Cliff Richard (or whatever is being played?)

Although I suppose nobody'll bother reading this, I've often fancied doing some sort of test where you get people to ride a given route (involving lots of right turns, lane changes, parked cars) using a headcam to see how much observation they do. You make them repeat with / without clinical earplugs that block all sound, and see which is safer (by counting the number of observations that are made).

My hypothesis would be that when you don't rely on hearing hazards there'd be a significant increase in looking around, and so in reality, make the rider a lot safer.

The problem is finding victims for such a study and then blinding it properly. How would you take into account that people know their observations are being observed?

 

[chevron]

Doesn't this cause a danger for other cyclists, who have to flog it past you to escape a bombardment of Cliff Richard (or whatever is being played?)

Well I see it as an incentive for cyclists to try and overtake me; or as a deterrent to cyclists drafting me ;-)

Of course in reality I only play good music like reggae & classic rock that everyone can enjoy.

 

[MacB]

I've just bought my first ever MP3, tiny little Sansa Clip thing and a set of Seinnheiser earphones. These are the ones that hook over the ears rather than being shoved into the ear canal. Only been round the block as a test and I can still hear fine with them on.

My 'spidey' sense still works fine and it also tells me that Cranky is an ex cyclist and is therefore out of touch with the realities of road riding

 

[hackbike 666]

Just strap speakers to your bike. I think one person suggested this so far. It's clearly the best of both worlds!

I use these - http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=97922
They go surprisingly loud, and as there is a gap in the middle you can just thread some cable ties through the middle and strap it onto your handlebars.

Great for social rides as well.

I had that with a motorcyclist recently...and I have it on film...It must have distracted him because he was signaling left for about a mile without actually realising.

 

[Norm]

However as you point out, all of my contributions have basically been ignored - I genuinely wonder why I bothered. (Well, apart from the post where I suggested anyone who looked at people with their earholes had dubious anatomy, which I stand by!).

I don't think that they were ignored, JoS. After all, I read enough of them to realise that you were mainly posting on this thread.

Apologies if you are a newcomer to CC, though, I certainly didn't mean to put you off.

 

[JoysOfSight]

It's ok. I did register mainly because I wanted to contribute to this topic, but no doubt I'll find it impossible to go back to lurking (my better half already hates the amount of time I spend on forums, disaster!)

 

[Downward]

I have just changed phones and this one has a Radio. The boredom of the commute has meant this past week I have started listening to the radio on the way to work.

 

[Tinuts]

I don't think there are any headphones on the market capable of delivering a signal loud enough or to attenuate external noise sources sufficiently the prevent the listener from hearing sirens or horns!

I think you may be mistaken. I have in-ear phones with moulded inserts which are extremely good at blocking out most sound. These are very similar to those used by performers on-stage for their in-ear monitors and are very effective! Quite honestly I wish more people would use them. If they did we wouldn't have to suffer the awful tinny noise emanating from cheap earbud type phones used by those trying to destroy their hearing on public transport. Not only are they supremely effective at not letting extraneous sound in but they also ensure no sound gets out. They also help save what hearing you may have left as, in my experience when, say, travelling on the tube, you don't have to turn up music to the deafeningly loud in order to block out the din of the train.

Of course, I wouldn't dream of wearing these, or any other headphones whilst cycling. It's just too damned dangerous for my liking!