Spokesmann
Keeping the Carlton and Sun names alive...
- Location
- Plymouth, Devon
Headphone whilst riding?:
NO... NO... NO.
NO... NO... NO.
Headphones and Cycling! Is it safe?
- Thread starter RedStork
- Start date
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EssexRider
New Member
- Location
- Brentwood
No way, sometimes you can't see cars but can hear them so if i ever want music on... i have my phone on loud speaker in my jersey pocket.. but thats very rare i do that anyway.
DrSquirrel
Guest
Sometimes the wind noise passing my ears makes hearing useless, so on part of that then not so bad.
I used to use an earplug in just one ear, to cut out the wind noise. I could hten turn my head slightly with the ear plugged ear into the wind and would give me a differential sound without me having to check every few seconds wondering where on earth that "car" I can hear is.
Sheffield_Tiger
Legendary Member
I don't bother since my direct commute is too short for boredom to become an issue, and if I was bored doing a detour then I wouldn't be enjoying it so I wouldn't be doing it.
BentMikey
Rider of Seolferwulf
- Location
- South London
You guys should be looking, not listening. Far too many cyclists out there can be seen to be relying on their hearing when pulling out around parked cars and other such manoeuvres.
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
Its probably already been said by other folks, I prefer to have that extra sense available. It can be useful to hear a muppet behind before having to turn your head.
Edit: Grammar
Edit: Grammar
hackbike 666
Guest
No 5h1t Sherlock.
I usually ride with my headphones in and on and I know it is said to be dangerous, but in my short time being a cyclist. I have never encountered a situation which would be easier if I could hear fully or where it would be more dangerous to not be able to hear fully, and I struggle to think of a situation where audible warnings would precede visual warnings or where the ability to hear would be beneficial. The only thing I can think of is that you can tell from the engine behind you whether you have a kind and considerate driver following you or a impatient and potentially dangerous driver there instead. Furthermore, it's not like I have lost all of my hearing I can still detect when there is car and when there are emergency vehicles coming up from behind or from side roads. Although I should point out that I don't ride in London or a large city environment which might be radically different with respect to a cyclist's reliance on their hearing. 
Mad Doug Biker
Banned from every bar in the Galaxy
- Location
- Craggy Island
+1
I'd rather just listen to what the bike is doing, as I can listen to my music ANY time, but that subtle noise the bike makes might only be heard the once before something bad happens. I don't want to miss it and end up hitting the road with my chin because I'm listening to my Ipod Nana or whatever they are called this week.
Tell me, why do people seem to think that listening to music is VITAL as though their life somehow depends on it?? do you REALLY have the attention span of a flee with ADHD?? do you REALLY have such a lack of imagination that you have to rely on others to get you through the day lest you get bored by a bit of silence?? are you REALLY incapable of doing anything without the radio on??
Music is nice, yes, but I don't HAVE to RELY on it like I have seen with some people in the my time.
Bill Gates
Guest
- Location
- West Sussex
You can have a bit of fun with another rider who's wearing headphones. Shout out "Pillock!"
When they then say "what was that?" You can reply with "where's the nearest hillock?"
(What's that Rumpole?- I said where's the nearest hillock m'lud.)
When they then say "what was that?" You can reply with "where's the nearest hillock?"
(What's that Rumpole?- I said where's the nearest hillock m'lud.)
Tinuts
Wham Bam Helmet Cam
- Location
- London, UK.
Hear Hear!+1
I'd rather just listen to what the bike is doing, as I can listen to my music ANY time, but that subtle noise the bike makes might only be heard the once before something bad happens. I don't want to miss it and end up hitting the road with my chin because I'm listening to my Ipod Nana or whatever they are called this week.
Tell me, why do people seem to think that listening to music is VITAL as though their life somehow depends on it?? do you REALLY have the attention span of a flee with ADHD?? do you REALLY have such a lack of imagination that you have to rely on others to get you through the day lest you get bored by a bit of silence?? are you REALLY incapable of doing anything without the radio on??
Music is nice, yes, but I don't HAVE to RELY on it like I have seen with some people in the my time.
BentMikey
Rider of Seolferwulf
- Location
- South London
My point is not that you have to listen to music, it's that relying on your hearing will likely show that you're simply not looking enough. Rely on your looking, not on your hearing if you want to be a safe rider.Your hearing can only tell you if there is a noisy vehicle nearby. It's not very good at direction, and it can't tell you that there's definitely no vehicle there.
Downward
Guru
- Location
- West Midlands
Well you can't really listen anytime - The only time I get to is on the commute. Once your home it's kids and mayhem !!
ComedyPilot
Secret Lemonade Drinker
- Location
- The Kingdom of Yorkshire
Its probably already been said by other folks, I prefer to have that extra sense available. It can be useful to hear a muppet behind before having to turn your head.
Edit: Grammar
I ride a lot with my Ipod. I always know when there's a vehicle approaching from behind, because I use a mirror. It helps me see them long before I hear them, with or without headphones on. I find having a mirror is like having eyes in the back of my head.
