Headphones on bike?

TylerJ76
TylerJ76 Posts: 4,375 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
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?
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Replies

  • wellbert
    wellbert Posts: 3,924 Member
    I'd probably be more likely to do it on the street than on the bike path. The streets are safer here, lol.

    One ear in is probably ok. I prefer not to tempt it.
  • flechero
    flechero Posts: 260 Member
    You can wear a single ear bud and keep it at a lower volume and still hear traffic, etc.
  • lripson28
    lripson28 Posts: 213 Member
    I run and bike both at the gym and outside on the streets around my house. When I'm at the gym I can't do anything without music. But when I'm home and outside, I never listen to any music. I always want to be completely aware of anything going on around me, don't want to be distracted.
  • papastu
    papastu Posts: 737 Member
    I think its really daft to have both in on a road , you wouldnt hear the traffic !!
  • nikinyx6
    nikinyx6 Posts: 772 Member
    one ear...don't wanna become a road-patty
  • joanrobinson2012
    joanrobinson2012 Posts: 19
    I think bad idea... . Even on a cycle path you still need to be able to hear bikes coming up behind you.
  • BSchoberg
    BSchoberg Posts: 712 Member
    Bad idea --- bike path or road way.
  • drapisking
    drapisking Posts: 73 Member
    I use the OneGood earbud, puts the sound into one ear so I can still hear traffic.
  • NeverGoinBack2012
    NeverGoinBack2012 Posts: 49
    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!!!
  • carloc
    carloc Posts: 135 Member
    I have ridden bikes for 25yrs, I would never ever wear ear phones, or ride with anyone that is wearing ear phones. Its a distraction and you have everything to lose.

    My advise just don't do it, concentrate on your riding and environment. It only take one time and you are done. Ride your bike, get fit, have fun but be safe.
  • fatboypup
    fatboypup Posts: 1,873 Member
    i hate riding without music
  • sbernardy
    sbernardy Posts: 188
    You can wear a single ear bud and keep it at a lower volume and still hear traffic, etc.

    This is what I do!
  • tablefanphone
    tablefanphone Posts: 11 Member
    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.
  • JasonSwetland
    JasonSwetland Posts: 235 Member
    I built a mount for my smartphone so I can listen to the music like a stereo on a motorcycle and I can also have my GPS running at the same time which is fun to see my speed and map location. I have worn buds on the path too. If you are observent its not a bad idea. If you peddle head down with or whithout the buds your asking for it. I would not do it on the street ever. But I live in a city with bad drivers that dont share the road and are too busy texting.
  • Hellbent_Heidi
    Hellbent_Heidi Posts: 3,669 Member
    Sure, why not? I wore them all the time when I rode on a designated bike path by my old house. I didn't blast the music though...just kept the volume low enough that I could still hear outside noises. In 3 years of doing that, I never had a single instance of not hearing or seeing another person, bike or vehicle.
  • chicago_dad
    chicago_dad Posts: 357
    simple solution: 1 ear in, 1 ear out. The ear that's out is the one closest to the cars/street. done and done.
  • goldfinger88
    goldfinger88 Posts: 686 Member
    It's not good to "ever" wear headphones when biking anywhere. The same goes for running. You need to be able to hear traffic, sounds of all sorts. Moreover, in the special case of women, headphones can keep them from being aware of danger lurking in brush and the side of the lane, path or road. Nothing is more important than your safety and that of others - just like when driving.
  • ashlinmarie
    ashlinmarie Posts: 1,263 Member
    My area doesn't have a lot of traffic so I feel fine having my music, but I just keep it low so I can still hear traffic. Of course, the one time I got hit by a van (I had the right of way at a cross walk for a busy street) I actually wasn't wearing ear buds at all....sooo yeah....
  • mrmanmeat
    mrmanmeat Posts: 1,968 Member
    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 wear head phones 95% of the time. I only ride on the street.
  • beckylawrence70
    beckylawrence70 Posts: 752 Member
    Probably not safe.......
  • spikefoot
    spikefoot Posts: 419
    I wouldn't ever do it.

    Just not worth the risk of hitting someone or being hit.
  • tonya8268
    tonya8268 Posts: 1
    I bike around my community (within 3-4 miles of my home) about 35-50 miles a week and always have my headphones at a low to medium volume. It gives me motivation to work hard and push myself. However, this is strictly a personal choice based on your preferences and your whereabouts. People running and biking are injured everyday by vehicles, with and without music in their ears.
  • m16shane
    m16shane Posts: 393 Member
    We have about 30 miles of bike/walking paths going through our neighborhoods around the lake. I find it is fine to wear them with the volume turn down. Though I wouldn't wear them on the street or at the very least only one plus low. Though I'm not sure it would be a chance worth taking!
  • myfitnessnmhoy
    myfitnessnmhoy Posts: 2,105 Member
    Bad idea --- bike path or road way.

    This. I cycle a lot, mostly commuting on mostly road, but some riding on a bike path. It's every bit as important to hear the Lance Armstrong wannabe muttering "on your left" as he whooshes by at 25MPH down the bike path as it is to hear the car coming up behind you.

    Your call, but I don't even do one ear. Ever. I've had people pass me on the right and do other crazy things - I like hearing it all.
  • EbonySD
    EbonySD Posts: 142
    I always wear my headphones when I cycle outside on dedicated bike paths - mind you there is limited traffic on my path and I don't blast the music. I can usually hear oncoming cars behind me.
  • yeabby
    yeabby Posts: 643 Member
    You can wear a single ear bud and keep it at a lower volume and still hear traffic, etc.

    This is what I do when I do wear them. I only wear if I'm planning a longer (20+ miles) ride.
  • debussyschild
    debussyschild Posts: 804 Member
    On a path, I don't think it should be a problem. I'd just not blast the volume like crazy so you can hear people coming up from behind or dogs approaching, etc. Thank you for saying you'd never do that on a busy street... It absolutely terrifies me when I'm driving along and I see bikers with both headphones in and completely tuned out to traffic. Doubly scary is when people do this while DRIVING. No music, phone call, or text is so engrossing that you can't postpone indulging in it until you're in a safe position to do so.
  • Marmitegeoff
    Marmitegeoff Posts: 373 Member
    I think bad idea... . Even on a cycle path you still need to be able to hear bikes coming up behind you.

    I also like to hear the wildlife
  • jonward85
    jonward85 Posts: 534 Member
    I wear my headphones while biking, but i typically am off the road on bike paths/sidewalks. I also am constantly looking around me. If i'm coming up on somewhere that i know multiple cars will be i'll pull one earpiece out. But i like the music. Keeps my mind off burn in my legs :smile:
  • Spokez70
    Spokez70 Posts: 548 Member
    On paved bike paths yes I always wear them. Out in the woods on single track then no I tend to just enjoy nature and try not to wrap myself around a tree.

    I don't ride on any roads that allow automobiles but if I did I'd probably skip the music and just concentrate on not getting squished.

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