Probably been asked a thousand times but....

[ScotiaLass]

What's your views on listening to music whilst cycling?

I have always listened to music whilst out on my bike and will be using cycling paths/off road.
Some stretches are going to be busier than others but with due care and attention I don't see why I can't have my music on.

Thoughts?

 

[ianrauk]

Moved to Helmet & Headphone debates.

Get the popcorn someone............

 

[4F]

My personal opinion is that it is not a good idea and I wouldn't. Others will disagree with me however they are wrong

This is a watered down version to my usual response and welcome to Cycle Chat

 

[fossyant]

Not for me. Ears and ability to hear whats going on around you which you can't see is important.

 

[ScotiaLass]

Ooooh, this topic has a whole board of it's own...sorry, didn't notice that!

Any advance on one earphone in and one out then????

 

[numbnuts]

It's your ride
It's your life
It's your choice

 

[ceejayh]

Personally, as a road user (don't tend to use cycle paths) I wouldn't have anything in my ears (unless it's wax!!) as I like to hear what's coming up from behind (that didn't come out right I know ).

 

[sazzaa]

I ride with one headphone in (left, so I can still hear traffic), but not at a daft loudness, just enough to hear the tunes and sing to myself.

 

[Frood42]

It depends, when on the roads and not going for a long ride, then no, I don't listen to music.
On a long ride, then yes I may listen to music, with one in and one out.

On canal tow paths and other shared spaces, yes I will listen to music if I fancy (depends on the route).

Ear phones in when cycling is the same as a someone driving their car with the windows closed.

Being able to hear traffic can be an advantage, but should not be relied on, a shoulder check is much better.

Your choice though.

 

[Nigel-YZ1]

I cycle to get away from it all, to listen to the birdies etc.
I think I'd rather hear the traffic than music if I had the choice.

 

[Born2die]

Moved to Helmet & Headphone debates.

Get the popcorn someone............

I will bring the coffee

 

[Glow worm]

Some seem to cope fine with music and dealing with the road, others less so. I listen to music on my commute, albeit at a fairly low volume, low enough in fact that I can even hear the whirring of the cassettes of the numerous faster cyclists behind me wishing to overtake! so hearing cars / trucks etc is never a problem - and safetly/ awareness, for me at least, is not compromised.

Each to their own really, the whole topic is probably best left at that.

 

[benb]

Personally I think it ought to be possible to have it at a level that is not significantly more dangerous than no music.
Others disagree.

 

[MontyVeda]

not for me personally... I prefer to hear the ambient sounds around me when out on the bike. I often listen to music as a pedestrian, but there's a part of me that worries I won't hear a car that's just mounted the pavement and is about to kill me, so I do feel a little more paranoid when i've got headphones in, even as pedestrian.

 

[benb]

not for me personally... I prefer to hear the ambient sounds around me when out on the bike. I often listen to music as a pedestrian, but there's a part of me that worries I won't hear a car that's just mounted the pavement and is about to kill me, so I do feel a little more paranoid when i've got headphones in, even as pedestrian.

I'd rather not hear it in that case! Ignorance is bliss.