Headphones on bike?

bluefox9er

Just curious where you all stand on this. I don't do it, but I was thinking about doing it. I ride on my local bike path, and would never dream of doing it on the street.

Good idea or bad?

Yep, right first time. riding with headphones or driving a car = suicide. way,way,way too dangerous.

dcmat

Ride on roads everyday with headphones in and have never had any issues

Assassins_Angel

i used to when i lived in the uk as i didnt cycle on the road but since moving to the netherlands i dont as i do cycle on the road

Luc245

I wear them and I don't feel any less safe. I have a helmet mounted mirror that I use often so I know my surroundings and honestly I hear subtle sounds like people better with them in. If I don't use earphones the noise of the wind and traffic makes it impossible to use my hearing to help in any way.

If a car is on a collision course with me, how is my hearing going to tell me that? They drive close enough to me that the only way I will know there is a problem is my mirror. I think riding without a mirror is very unsafe but earphones? If you feel safe, go ahead. It makes my 100km daily commute less tedious.

markymarrkk

I throw the earphones on loud as **** when I'm cycling bike trail or mountain bike.. When I'm doing streets/Urban biking on my fixed, I'm usually only one ear in or sometimes none when I'm rolling with groups

SkettiGurl

I ride 13km on a bike path (that crosses roads) and then another 9km on the roads, this is my commute and I NEVER wear headphones while cycling. It is far too dangerous. I also never wear headphones while running early in the morning although I will wear them on the weekend if I go for a run around the lake later on (say 9am) but usally I like to give myself little pep talks and listen to the birds and the dogs comming up behind me or infront of me. It doesn't hurt to have your own voice in your head sometimes! :happy:

jenj1313

I've tried wearing them trail riding, but have shorted out 2 pair from sweating, so now I just sing to myself ;-p

On the road / path, you're moving faster and maybe the sweat isn't as big an issue.

I kept the volume low and only used one ear bud and felt like I could hear just fine.

Just realize that if you do have an accident, wearing headphones will be a liability.

I NEVER wear headphones on charity rides or group rides where I'm riding with a lot of people... in those situations, it's way more common for people to be trying to talk to me and the headphones impede that. Plus... why go on a group ride if you're going to isolate yourself with headphones?

DrJanet98

I did the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer twice and the Breast Cancer 3-Day once, and love to take my dog for nice long walks. Both breast cancer walks forbid Walkers from wearing headphones/earbuds during the events, and strongly discourage them during training, for safety reasons. That said, I do use ear buds sometimes, but I mostly listen to podcasts, not music, and find that it doesn't drown out my surroundings or distract me much. I'm super-careful about crossing driveways and intersections (I think having my dog along to think about helps there). On the Walk itself, there's always a couple of people who have speakers playing music, and last time, I found a little bitty speaker thing that my iPod could plug into and used that. I suppose I could use that during training, too, if I wanted music then.

Biking is another matter. I'd like to ride my bike to work and for recreation, but my experiences on local roads have not been good. I've been yelled at, cut off, had cars go by so close their mirrors almost hit me, etc. No, I don't go very fast, but even a fit cyclist isn't going near as fast as a car would. I go up on the sidewalk, even if it is technically illegal, rather than ride on a busy road. The cops won't do anything to protect bikers -- I've never heard of them ever giving anyone a ticket for not giving a bike enough room etc. Given that environment, I wouldn't add to the risk by wearing headphones. What I've seen of the local bike/walking paths has been pretty crowded, too, and a rung bell or friendly "on your left" is needed pretty frequently, so I wouldn't be likely to use them there, either. However, if I were to go on a long ride in the Forest Preserve District, where paths are wide and much less crowded, I would probably use them there without too much worry. I guess it depends on the circumstances, but better to err on the side of caution.

If you bike early in the morning or late in the evening, any time there's *any* chance of still being out when it's getting dark, you *need* a set of lights. A headlight and a red tail light make a *huge* difference in how visible you are. If you find yourself out after dark even once, spring for a reflective vest and/or ankle and wrist reflectors, too. Remember, a headlight isn't just about you being able to see the road, it's about the cars being able to see where you are and where you're going. There are plenty of good drivers out there, too, despite what I said above, and you need to give them every chance to avoid hitting you. I've been on the driver side of this one far too many times, with a bike being almost completely invisible until they're only a few yards away. And don't forget about parked cars -- a door opening into a bike's path is one of the most common causes of accidents!

Interesting trivia -- not sure if it's national, but I know the Rules of the Road here forbid using headphones/earbuds while driving a car. Always seemed silly to me, since you can turn your car stereo up loud enough to drown out anything you might need to hear, *and* since it's not illegal for deaf people to drive. Still, that's apparently the letter of the law, make of it what you will. :-)

FammaMel

Just curious where you all stand on this. I don't do it, but I was thinking about doing it. I ride on my local bike path, and would never dream of doing it on the street.

Good idea or bad?

I don't on the main road on the way to the trails I ride; but once I'm in the woods I put in the headphones and crank the music. I have a much better ride when I do.

MoreThanMommie

I don't bike, but when I run I keep the volume pretty low so I always know what is going on around me.

TeachTheGirl

I believe it's illegal in some states?

jzrharv

I crank out 12 miles almost every day on our bike trail and I wear headphones. I have a mirror on my handle bars for watching who is coming up behind me. I'm also one of those people that prefers not to wear a helmet. I guess I am a risk taker...even at 51. Life is to be enjoyed to the fullest. A bike helmet makes my scalp itch and music makes it a very pleasant experience. Too each his own!!!

Um, just saying, but there is a special term for folks who engage in such activity, it's "organ donor".

Just make sure your card is up-to-date...

laughablyginger

My cousin was recently hit by a car when he was out for a jog. The lady was on her cell phone and ran through a yield on a crosswalk. He wasn't more seriously injured because he was paying attention and was able to slide across her windshield. I shudder to think about what might have happened if they were BOTH not paying attention. There are crazy people out there, so its up to you to stay safe!

jcmartin0313

First, any solution that allows you to hear your music but also hear your surroundings is best. Those who say no way must also prefer for deaf people to not run or ride. I just purchased some bone conduction headphones which leave both ears open and the music is fantastic.

http://www.aftershokz.com/

Joneses17

Outside there is so much going on that I usually forget to turn on my music but when I do I either have it very low or one ear bud in. When I'm at the gym it's loud since there is no danger.

bulletprooff

If it's not too disturbing to others, you can listen to it without any earbuds in your ear. If you use a phone with a speaker that's one way, or you can crank your volume all the way up and keep your headphones around your neck.

Otherwise, one earbud (NOT A NOISE CANCELLING ONE) on a lower volume.

sillygoose1977

I wear one in my right ear so I can still hear traffic and people who are passing. Sorry, but I can't stand riding without tunes.

ETA: I can hear everything when I ride. I can hear enough to yell at the people who don't call out when they are passing and enough to say hello or thank you to those that do call out. As far as road riding, if a car is going to drive like an a-hole and hit me, they will do it whether I am listening to music (in one ear) or not. At least I have my helmet on.

bethvandenberg

I wear mine I just don't turn them up super loud.

questionablemethods

No. Just don't.

Hellbent_Heidi

For me, listening to low volume music does not equate to wearing blinders and not paying attention to anything else. As with anything, if you can multi-task and still function safely...go for it (just be sure you're still paying attention to your surroundings). You listen to music or talk radio while driving a car without killing yourself or others, right?

Apparently a lot of people here are not able to do this. They probably don't chew gum while walking either :laugh:

Masq

I think it's a bad idea. You should be able to hear what's around you, even on a bike path. I know when I'm cycling and say "on your left" when I pass someone with ear buds or headphones and they can't hear me, it makes me worry that they might move into my path, not realizing I'm passing them.

^^ this happened to me on the bike path. I was on my bike and there was a runner and a couple of walkers. The runner was wearing headphones and obviously had them turned up too loud. The walkers heard me yell 'on your left' and slowed down... then the runner who did not hear me got into the left lane to pass the walkers and I nearly took her out and almost crashed!!

If you absolutly have to wear both earbuds.... turn them down so you can still hear what is going on around you!! Better yet only wear one or none at all. Be safe and pay attention!!

jasonweinberg

for all of you declaring riding with earphones on a bike path (i mean one with no cars not a bike path on the side of a road) "extremely dangerous" or even "suicidal" can you please show me that this is anything other than your opinion? i do it all the time, have for years, can still hear outside noise even with earbuds in, and have never had any kind of an incident that seemed even remotely dangerous to me.

louisey112

Not to be a downer, but a friend of mine's cousin got killed that way - she had her Ipod on riding on the street and a truck hit her ... I would advise against it, but I guess maybe it depends on traffic as well ....

TylerJ76

Not to be a downer, but a friend of mine's cousin got killed that way - she had her Ipod on riding on the street and a truck hit her ... I would advise against it, but I guess maybe it depends on traffic as well ....

As I clearly said in my post, I wouldn't be riding in the street.

jasonweinberg

The walkers heard me yell 'on your left' and slowed down... then the runner who did not hear me got into the left lane to pass the walkers and I nearly took her out and almost crashed!!

um, maybe you are the one that should be slowing down in this instance? i never race by people and yell "on your left". i slow down and say hi to them as i ride by.

jacksonpt

Single bud, only in right ear, low volume. Pause it when in high traffic/intersection areas.

I've only ever done it once (for directions on a route in an unfamiliar city) and didn't care for it. Though, having been hit by a car before, I'm probably a little biased.


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sillygoose1977

Not to be a downer, but a friend of mine's cousin got killed that way - she had her Ipod on riding on the street and a truck hit her ... I would advise against it, but I guess maybe it depends on traffic as well ....

Truck probably would have hit her whether or not she was listening to music. I think the truck driver was most likely to blame. I was hit by a car once while not wearing headphones.

future_runner

I do it. I keep the volume low and if the bike trails are busy I only use one. Until I broke my strap that held my iPhone in place though I would strap it to middle of the handlebars with the volume full blast.

Kissybiz

I wear my headphones on the bike path and riding through residential areas. I keep the volume at a level where I can jam and still hear cars around me. If more traffic areas, I take out one bud. So far I haven't managed to kill myself.

Hellbent_Heidi

My earlier responses were all related to riding on a PATH.. When it comes to riding on streets, its definitely a different story.

I am of the opinion that the rule of bikes riding WITH traffic should be reconsidered in this day and age of distracted drivers. When I do ride "off path", I'm generally on dirt/country roads with a few stops/crossings, and I generally ride against traffic. As both a biker and a driver, I'd rather know that we can both see the other one coming!