Ear buds while out cycling - Good, bad or indifferent?

katozdad

Hi,

I cycle commute 3 times a week to work (20mile round trip) and wear ear buds to listen to music and keep track of my progress (miles and timings) using endomondo on my Android phone. I have seen a number of posts criticising cyclists for wearing ear buds and I wanted to get the conversation flowing, and hopefully get a few like minded friends from this post.

The pros -
It keeps the wind out of my ears - a hopefully a few ear infections in the process - especially in the cold
I can also hear the traffic and usually know how close other traffic is to me - I usually feel the vibrations from trucks and buses
Most (90%) of my commute in along busy roads, where you would not expect pedestrians to normally venture
I can keep track of my progress using Endomondo
Some of the banging tracks really get me help me to dig deep and deliver a better work out
The music helps to relax me and pass the time away better
The music from some cars is really loud sometimes, shouldn't the same theory apply to them?

The cons -
The odd Toyota Prius (silent assassin) has frankly scared the **** out of me once or twice, but would I have heard it anyway?
When I stop at crossings, junctions and traffic lights, it does make me more reliant on my eyes and perhaps taking a greater risk

I had an accident a couple of weeks ago, when someone opened their car door on me. I was wearing my ear buds at the time, and had a banging tune going, but looking back critically, I don't think my ear buds would have made any difference to the outcome.

What do you think???

havingitall

Just as I wouldn't walk near traffic with them on, I sure wouldn't ride. My husband is a road cyclist and he would never wear them. There are just too many things when you are riding on the road. You want to have all your senses about you.

sathor

1 bad
2 illegal

LemonSnap

More importantly, what does your wife think?

zoeluiisa

I think it's dangerous, sorry. You need all your senses to keep yourself, and other road users, safe.

sathor

also, if you want your music that bad, there are things like speakers that mount on your handlebars and smart phone mounts that would allow you to have your music in a much safer fashion.

Bicycle1959

I do 1 in 1 out so I can hear traffic and still listen to tunes...

tdj819

I walk with my earbuds, but using only ONE. Maybe try that, and watch out for that Silent Assassin

FammaMel

I used wear them when I ride on the main streets and received much criticism. It isn't illegal here but I do understand the safety issue. Now. My argument was always that I mountain bike and ride to the trails right from my house. Not the greatest argument, I know but the music keeps me going.

Now I wait until i reach the trails. If you are riding in a lot of commuting traffic I would suggest looking into a set of speakers for the bike. Your senses might be off when wearing them but I wouldn't want to compete with commuter traffic whose senses are also off too and they are behind the wheel of a vehicle. Always best to be safe.

katozdad

Thanks all, for your responses so far. You have certainly given me some 'food for thought', especially the comment about my wife. The handlebar speakers are interesting, but I am not sure I would want to share my music with everyone around me just yet. The ear bud in one ear sounds interesting too, but I wondered how you might go about getting a stereo sound through one ear bud?

42kgirl

Thanks all, for your responses so far. You have certainly given me some 'food for thought', especially the comment about my wife. The handlebar speakers are interesting, but I am not sure I would want to share my music with everyone around me just yet. The ear bud in one ear sounds interesting too, but I wondered how you might go about getting a stereo sound through one ear bud?

It's a little weird at first, but it beats the sound of the heart monitor at the hospital!

kitinboots

If you must, then wear one and turn it down low. Even if I'm running and on a path I keep one ear free unless I'm dead, dead certain there is noone/nothing around.

Maggie821

Have to agree with the others - it's just not safe. I love my music when walking, running and I would love it biking, but it's just not safe. Even when I am out running, I run against the traffic and I am amazed at how many drivers are not paying attention to the road, and have swerved over. It only takes one hit...I would check out the speaker option!

grassette

Cyclers in traffic are so vulnerable! Why increase your risk? Sure, it's nice to be someplace else in your head, but if you get hit, there is nothing around you to protect you. And right now you know that certain cars are totally dangerous, so why do you keep on doing it?

samntha14

People are right about the buds, but my husband wears his on 6 hour training rides sigh. Other good commuting advice is helmet, of course, a blinky light at night, and please for the love of Mike ride WITH the traffic, and turn from the turn lane making yourself as visible as possible. Don't try to make left turns from the shoulder, you'll get killed. I know this annoys drives but it's for you're own protection and it IS legal. When the rode is too narrow, TAKE THE LANE. Speed limits are maximums not minimums.

mumof5

please dont wear them, its just not safe. please wear bright cloths, please use a light.

i lost a friend 5 days before easter - a father of 2 and husband. a great community man with a lot to give. so young.
wearing black, early morning, the driver just didn't see him.

please be safe.

nitepagan

If you get hit by a car while biking because you didn't hear the vehicle and end up dying on the pavement, then the conversation about the merits of the earbuds is over. Use the earbuds when you are involved with a safer activity. Anyways, you should want to experience what is happening around you.

Toddrific

I'd concur with the handlebar speakers.
Your music can't be that awful =P

nitepagan

Hi,

I cycle commute 3 times a week to work (20mile round trip) and wear ear buds to listen to music and keep track of my progress (miles and timings) using endomondo on my Android phone. I have seen a number of posts criticising cyclists for wearing ear buds and I wanted to get the conversation flowing, and hopefully get a few like minded friends from this post.

The pros -
It keeps the wind out of my ears - a hopefully a few ear infections in the process - especially in the cold
I can also hear the traffic and usually know how close other traffic is to me - I usually feel the vibrations from trucks and buses
Most (90%) of my commute in along busy roads, where you would not expect pedestrians to normally venture
I can keep track of my progress using Endomondo
Some of the banging tracks really get me help me to dig deep and deliver a better work out
The music helps to relax me and pass the time away better
The music from some cars is really loud sometimes, shouldn't the same theory apply to them?

The cons -
The odd Toyota Prius (silent assassin) has frankly scared the **** out of me once or twice, but would I have heard it anyway?
When I stop at crossings, junctions and traffic lights, it does make me more reliant on my eyes and perhaps taking a greater risk

I had an accident a couple of weeks ago, when someone opened their car door on me. I was wearing my ear buds at the time, and had a banging tune going, but looking back critically, I don't think my ear buds would have made any difference to the outcome.

What do you think???

Maybe the accident was a wakeup call. Get rid of the ear buds!!!

castlerobber

No ear buds in traffic, ever. If something happens, like your getting doored, you'll be considered at fault no matter how negligent the motorist is. Personally, I don't listen to music while riding at all, even on the rural roads near here. I'd rather be aware of what's going on around me.

MiloBloom83

Me-never listen to music while riding. I consider it too dangerous. In a headwind, you can't hear a car coming up behind you. I would consider it if i was on a bike path exclusively for my ride, but only then.
My wife will an does ride with her iPod, but only uses the ear bud in her right ear. She leaves the "traffic side" open. Besides, i like to talk to my ride partners!

noplea

I too cycle frequently, often to work. I find that the roads, paths and sidewalks are filled with other cyclists all trying to maneuver safely through limited space while avoiding huge cars moving at high speeds. Often I approach slower moving cyclists from the rear and must somehow safely pass them in this limited available space. The common protocol is to warn him you are approaching with some kind of verbal clue. "On your left, on your right" a verbal signal of your approach from the rear, and a warning of your intentions- pass on the left, right, etc. Some people chose to ring a bell to accomplish a nonverbal warning and request for cooperation. What ever the method audilble warnings should trigger cooperation from the other cyclist. Move to the left or right to east passage. When someone chooses to plug their ears and fill their heads with loud jarring music it means they unable to hear the warnings and cannot responsibly share the path/road with his fellow cyclists. A cyclist who choses to tune out the world because he wants to crank out a few more rpms on his ride to work endangers himself and the cyclist sharing his world.

RedSunshine365

From your description, you're in busy traffic and I would have to agree that it's just too dangerous. At the very least, wear just one ear bud and get the kind that allow ambient noise.

I do wear my earbuds while on my quiet country roads with minimal traffic but I don't have the music cranked. I understand the motivation and enjoyment, and would love to use them all the time, but it's just not worth the risk in busy traffic.

katozdad

Noplea, you make a very convincing argument for not wearing ear buds. I have to be honest and say that I wasn't expecting so many people to be against it. I will keep the ear buds to protect my ears from the elements with the Endomondo updating me on progress every mile, but keep the music switched off. Thanks to all for your responses.

skylark94

I wear mine when riding, but they are always low enough that I can hear approaching cars and I ride in low traffic areas. The wind in my ears is more likely to drown out an approaching car anyway. I do usually ride in low traffic areas with a 25-35 mph speed limit and speed humps. If I'm in a higher traffic area, I ditch the music.