Headphones and Cycling! Is it safe?

[hackbike 666]

Can hear car sounds but as you say tell tale bike sounds before the disaster can be missed.

[bloodbus]i'm sure the law states you not allowed to where headphones as it effects you ability to deal with the traffic you may encounter, i.e not hearing the sirens of the fire engine etc[/bloodbus]

Is there?

 

[RedStork]

I think you've answered you own question. Of course it's not safe.
Presumably driving a car with your radio excessively loud would also be dangerous as it would compromise your awareness of other road users around you as well as compromising your ability to control your car properly and safely. Plus your gf should tell you to stop being such an embarrassing chav unless of course your gf is a chav or you don't have a gf because when driving you play your music loud frightening them away or boring them rigid .

Sorry for using over-the-top adjectives. I'm 100% none-chav and I dont drive around with my windows open pumping out the basslines to the populace. I actually found this post rather insulting. I'm 21, been living with my gorgeous girlfriend for 2 years, so yes I do have a 'gf' as you put it.

Anyway, like most people said, it appears to be mostly down to personal preference. I'm not sure what cars everyone drives by the way, but I hear virtually no outside road noise in my car. A lot of car's seem to be designed to isolate you for comfort or what-not.

 

[Greenbank]

I use them pretty much all the time; laps of Richmond Park, commuting into central London, on Audaxes when I'm not riding with anyone else. Good way to ease the passing of the miles.

I just look behind me more often, and always before changing road position. I guess this comes from the years of riding a motorbike with earplugs (even with a full face helmet and visor down the wind noise at 70mph is amazingly loud).

The new generation of hybrid and electric cars make next to no noise. If you want to be mown down by a Toyota Prius then rely on your hearing and don't look over your shoulder.

 

[fossyant]

I'm not going into pro's and con's..

I use hearing to judge the car speed behind (oh yes you can, even electric ones) and the attitude of the driver.... like Marinyork says, it's a bit like bat sense..... (even though I have just average hearing).

More sadly, I like to hear a perfectly tuned drive chain whirring away....... I hate rattles, cars/bikes...drives me nuts, so I ensure it all works.......

 

[hackbike 666]

Or you could use your hearing and your eyes, and be even more aware.

Im aware enough thank you.

 

[rog]

since Bojo allowed motorbikes into the bus lanes in London I've found myself increasingly relying on my ears to let me know when some leather-clad chap on a superbike is going to come flying past...its sometimes hard to spot a fast approaching bike as they can suddenly appear out of nowhere but you can certainly hear em!

 

[hackbike 666]

I've been standing behind you for 30 minutes and you haven't noticed yet.

Yeah I thought my flat was haunted with the spirit of St Paul.

 

[hackbike 666]

Nice bum.

 

[Greenbank]

Or you could use your hearing and your eyes, and be even more aware.

If you pushed your bike along the road whilst facing backwards you'd be even more aware.

 

[Woz!]

I hate rattles, cars/bikes...drives me nuts

Me too. I find you can mask them with headphones

 

[buggi]

I'm confused about the 'engine noise approaching from behind' argument. What do you do when you hear an engine noise approaching?

i wear my headphones all the time and this is my "for" argument. i know the cars are there anyway, and just coz i can hear them behind me doesn't mean i know whether they are going to hit me, so what's the difference? i play loud music in my car and its just the same thing. so i have wing mirrors on my car?? well, i can turn my head on my bike and look behind.

my ipod is knackered now and now runs out after an hour, so i've got a bit used to cycling without music for the latter part of my journey. i don't think it makes any difference to my reactions to traffic whether i'm plugged in or not.

 

[Grendel]

I detest seeing anyone cycling while wearing headphones.
It's the height of ****wittery.

 

[hackbike 666]

I detest seeinfg motorists on mobile phones while driving or the one million and one other distractions it's the height of ****wittery.

 

[Plax]

I've never really considered headphones whilst cycling. I don't think I would to be honest. However I do wear headphones when out running.

 

[ultraviolet]

non noise reduction ones are the best, if you get the volume just right you can hear both cars and music