Newbies - what's your stance on headphones

[Goffins]

I assume you would have to connect your I pod up first and put it on repeat before wearing one of those

It may please you to know that during a rather speedy bike ride the other day my IPOD shuffled on to an Audio Book of Orwell's 1984 which really killed my mood.

 

[Downward]

I would never wear head phones when operating a machine let alone a bike for the following reasons:-

1. Ears can act as the eyes in the back of your head; if you turn your head slightly you cut out a hell of a lot of wind noise, and you can hear approaching traffic even if it's not visible.
2. Listening to music is a massive distraction. Cycling in traffic demands 100% attention, especially when all the other road users are mentally deficient!
3. Things stuffed in your ears can affect your balance, not a good idea when you are attempting to balance on two wheels!
4. It's bloody antisocial!

I don't see anyone else cycling on my way to work and can't chat to the car drivers - How sociable should i be ?!

 

[4F]

I don't see anyone else cycling on my way to work and can't chat to the car drivers - How sociable should i be ?!

I see you have conveniently avoided the 3 major points on Wat-O's post and picked up on the minor one. tsk

 

[tuffty]

I would never wear head phones when operating a machine let alone a bike for the following reasons:-

1. Ears can act as the eyes in the back of your head; if you turn your head slightly you cut out a hell of a lot of wind noise, and you can hear approaching traffic even if it's not visible.
2. Listening to music is a massive distraction. Cycling in traffic demands 100% attention, especially when all the other road users are mentally deficient!
3. Things stuffed in your ears can affect your balance, not a good idea when you are attempting to balance on two wheels!
4. It's bloody antisocial!

Cycling in town or in heavy traffic I'd agree, just sing if you need music that badly - has the added benefit that other road users give you a wide berth. What about out in the countryside on a quiet Sunday morning though - if you're not riding with anybody a good tune can give you that extra bit of motivation, and I've never had any problems toppling over either!

 

[Goffins]

I've not read the entire thread but has it been suggested that this could be an age thing?

Us younger'ens are used to having our senses assaulted, we're used to having various implements put in our ears, inlcuding the infamous 'wet willy' and have managed to maintain our balance throughout.

If we're not texting, while eating, while fighting and stealing from shops then we're bored.

I know in the old days you'd put your ears to the ground to guestimate the arrival of the horse drawn milk cart but times have changed, as have people.

 

[4F]

You are probably right about it being an age thing. I am old enough to know it is not a good idea

 

[Downward]

I see you have conveniently avoided the 3 major points on Wat-O's post and picked up on the minor one. tsk

Yeah but the other ones were boring

 

[Downward]

You are probably right about it being an age thing. I am old enough to know it is not a good idea

Yeah but just imagine the fun you could have conducting while listening to your classical music

 

[montage]

Kicked the music today, didn't bring the ipod.
I did certainly feel more aware, but I also got a little bored on the way in when I was taking things easy. hmm

 

[4F]

Kicked the music today, didn't bring the ipod.
I did certainly feel more aware, but I also got a little bored on the way in when I was taking things easy. hmm

Simple, don't take it easy.

 

[Downward]

Simple, don't take it easy.

Hehe to be fair i am pushing it at the moment so can't be arsed with I pod.

 

[montage]

Simple, don't take it easy.

Arrive at college dripping with sweat...hmm..
Attractive.

 

[mossy]

It's great to listen to music at certain times.
To me,one of those times is NOT the roads.
However the key issue will be in the courts,unfortunately when a company tries not to pay out claiming a cyclist contibuted to their own acccident by listening to music.
I hope not but this will go the same way as the helmet issue and the only losers will be the riders who are injured.
I do hope not but watch the courts!!!

 

[meic]

There are a lot of people who dont use earphones on the bike, who are describing what it is like!
Well I always do use earphones, so I guess I know more about it. I also used earphones on my motorcycle and I listen to music in the car.
If I can afford to be deaf and destracted when piloting over a tonne of high speed death, why all the fuss on an itsy cycle?
I am willing to take any hearing test, while wearing my headphones. I can hear cars from over half a mile away on these country roads, with the headphones on. On a downhill they actually improve hearing as they delay the start of wind noise.
Never have any trouble socialising, although I take the earphones down just to be polite, if it develops to a conversation.
Maybee if you experiment , you will develop these skills too.

 

[stoatsngroats]

I also used earphones on my motorcycle and I listen to music in the car.

I thought of this coming home from work on my scooter yesterday, windnoise on a motorcycle can be just as loud as music on a bike....it's not often called in to question when there's a motorcycle accident, and in a car, with music on, I bet that there's a HUGE difference between what a cyclist, and a car driver can hear going on 'outside' the heads' environment.

It's not a problem for me to listen to music, but we all should make our own choices.......

Any courtcase against a cyclist, which sites 'noise distraction', I'm sure would be defendable, with tests conducted on motorcycles/cars with music...