Music & Cycling: Am I crazy?

Interesting thread

I have been seriously contemplating getting an MP3 player for when I start serious time trial training... however I have only considered using one earphone, which would not give stereo but I would feel vulnerable with both ears covered with music

Like so many others in this thread, I find the whistle of the wind a 'deafening' noise, in that I can't tell on a windy day whether it is wind in the trees or just wind in my ears!

I am experimenting at the moment at making weirdly shaped head n\bands (which I wear wnyway, that cover my ears)

I figure the right material and cut will imporove the path of the wind over my ears without reducing the sound

I have found that positining of helmet straps can have an effect on wind noise too...

This is an interesting topic. I am nearly deaf, so I have to rely heavily on my husband to alert me that a car is coming up from behind. That is a BIG reason why I don't ride alone. Having him help hasn't made me lazy though, I tend to constantly check behind and am always asking him, "is a car coming, is a car coming?" I never realized that headphones could be illegal.

How do I make it in nursing not being able to hear well? I've got one darn good stethoscope. I swear, I could hear a gnat fart in Africa with it. :eek:

Since this was a recent topic of conversation, I thought it interesting that this was recently published on www.velonews.com. Mionske makes some very interesting points, particularly the part about recovering damages stemming from an accident. You can read all his legal disclaimers (blah-blah-blah fine print) on VeloNews' website.

Legally Speaking with Bob Mionske: Listen up!
By Robert Mionske, JD
This report filed August 4, 2005

Hi, Bob,
As a lawyer (corporate securities) and a wanna-be road racer, I always enjoy reading your column. Have you ever covered the legalities of using an iPod or other player, with headphones, on the road? Guys I know get tickets for this in California; I live in Texas. I think somewhere I read it might make a difference if you use one earpiece instead of both. I see more and more guys with 'em in and thought it might make an interesting column.
P.H.
Austin, Texas

Dear Paul,
When I was pursuing my racing career I passed the many, many hours of lonely riding listening to music and talk radio on my earphones. I became so addicted to this form of distraction that I would panic when my batteries ran low. I even wore them on group rides with teammates who took the respite from my constant chatter as a gift and never complained. I was never stopped by police, and the legality of this habit was never called into question.

Many of us have heard about President Bush's much-publicized mountain biking with his iPod, but whether you can listen to your personal music device while riding depends on where you do it. In some states it is illegal to have any sort of headphone covering your ears while operating a motor vehicle or bicycle. Florida law, for example, states, "No person shall operate a vehicle while wearing a headset, headphone, or other listening device" (Section 316.304). In other states the law permits wearing headphones as long as one ear remains uncovered, and in still others wearing both earpieces may be permitted. Finally, in many states there is no law on the books at all. The absence of a law does not necessarily mean wearing headphones is permitted, though; the best course would be to check with your local department of vehicles.

Even in states that have laws on the books, the legality of headphone use while riding is confusing. For example, while Florida bans the use of headphones, there is an exception for using a cell phone with a headset that "only provides sound through one ear and allows surrounding sounds to be heard with the other ear." Is this the equivalent of listening to music with one earpiece out (which, parenthetically, produces an awful sound)? In your question you referenced people getting ticketed in California, where the law states, "A person operating a motor vehicle or bicycle may not wear a headset covering, or earplugs in, both ears" (CA Vehicle Code Section 27400). This would suggest that listening to headphones is permitted if you have only one earpiece in, but again the law is not as clear as it could be.

Much of the recent legislation that has been passed has been driven by the prevalence of people talking on their cell phones while driving. We can expect in the near future to see more and more states enacting laws prohibiting or restricting this activity (such as requiring the use of hands-free devices). Whether these laws will affect headphone use by cyclists remains to be seen, but clearly the risks are not the same. Nevertheless, keep an eye out in your own state for a change in the law that may affect you as a cyclist.

Laws banning the use of headphones while driving or biking assume that headphones will block out important background sounds such as horns and sirens and that such use is unsafe. In addition, nearly every bicycle-safety advocate I have encountered believes it is better to forgo the headphones. Of course, someone telling you that it is not safe to ride with headphones on does not mean it is against the law to do so. It is interesting to note that deaf individuals are permitted to drive and that nothing stops you from battering your eardrums into oblivion inside your car by blasting your stereo.

Lastly, if you are using a personal music device and are injured in an accident with a negligent driver, it is certain that the insurance company will attempt to pin some or all the blame on you, making recovery of your damages more difficult.

Good luck,
Bob
(research and drafting assistance provided by Lewis & Clark Law School Law School student Bryan Rousseau)

There's an article in this month's bicycling magazine about riding with tunes. It warns about the dangers that have been reviewed here but seems to be somewhat "ok" with riding. Of course the disclaimer to check local laws, etc.

I would never wear headphones. I'm a very "defensive"rider. I like to hear everything. I feel I can hear cars coming up on me, especially if they are too close. After years of riding I am very in tune with the sound. Especially woman riding alone it's just not safe. Nope not for me.

Kim

The article in Bicycling made note that the state of Oklahoma bans head tunes altogether which I agree with. I'm a person who loves music and listens to it all the time but the combination of me and headphones on a bike is not a good thing.

I listen to my iPod on all my rides except when I ride with someone else. I was a little skittish at first but I bought myself a 20$ bar end mirror that is hands down the BEST safety investment I have made (besides my helmet of course). I don't have to keep looking back for cars, I can see then way behind me before I need to make a left turn, and so on. I never though I would ever need a mirror and after riding 20 years I finally have one and simply cannot ride without now. When I bought my new bike this summer the first few rides were without a mirror and I felt a bit nervous. Putting the mirror on was the first upgrade I made. I urge you if you listen to music to get some kind of mirror- either bar end or helmet.

My thoughts on the whole headphones thing:

As usual, it depends. In traffic situations, you need all your attention focused on the situation. Traffic, BTW, can include everything from Boston streets to a crowded bike path. I wouldn't feel safe listening to tunes there.

In less congested situations, it might be OK, especially if you are using the music to set a tempo for your spin, although a metronome on your bars could work just as well.

In any case, leaving the traffic side ear uncovered is probably a good idea.

I'd use headphones in certain situations. DH and I have been discussing having 2-way radios on in town so we don't have to scream at each other. (Car back! Pothole! Glass!) These would also be handy on a tour, since we don't always ride at the same pace. (Stopping for a picture. Car back.) I could argue that they are a safety device, as we are both watching out for each other.

I've also thought that on tour through long stretches, say the sandhills of Nebraska, a recorded book would enhance the experience. Preferably a book that has something to do with the area you are touring. That could be just nice.

Well, I'm on the "its ok if you only have one ear covered" side. I have an iPaq with a wireless BlueTooth headset that I wear to listen to music or (egad) talk on the phone. I can say that I have never had an issue not hearing anything. In fact, the way the earpiece sits on my ear I have less wind noise with no sound coming through it. I havent been pulled over yet. I find that I ride better with music and I'm trying to put together a selection where the bpm will dictate my cadence.

I ride alone all the time on average for 2 hours per ride and understand how tunes can make the ride so much enjoyable. That being said, I NEVER NEVER NEVER ride with headphones. I have an iPod Shuffle and could listen easily with it tucked in my jersey but cannot do it for sake of my SAFETY. No matter how low you turn your volume it’s a distraction. I understand the motivation of music because I cannot run without. I am guilty of doing it when I run at night which is quite dangerous. That being said I would never ride with tunes. You need all your senses alert when riding with cars.

While I am new to riding again. When I rode as a kid, I had a handle bar mounted radio, it was big, but it did the job.

I don't ride on roads, so my 0.02 are only from riding on trails. If I'm not feeling very motivated, I put my headphones in one ear and put some techno on, which usually gets me moving and not so down about the hill I'm climbing up.

With regards to riding on the road. Cars have stereos, and turned up loud enough, which many people do, the driver can not hear a car beeping, a cop coming up or anything else for that matter. With newer cars, sound proofing is done so well you don't hear any road noise.

So you have people behind the wheel of 1000lb vehicles who can't hear any better than someone with headphones on a bike.

With most open ear headphones, I don't think in one ear is going to kill someone. I think eye sight would be far more important than hearing.

Are they going to ban someone who is deaf from riding a bike?

jm2c

Forgot to add...motorcyclists...I don't understand how they can hear anything, or hear for that matter when they get off. It's deafening to me.

I guess because this thread keeps getting pulled up to the top I will also add my 2 cents. I do ride listening to music with just one ear (IRiver which I do not recommend, not a good choice if you ask me) plugged. It is legal to ride that way according to the NYS cycling road rules. But to be honest, I consentrate so much on what I am doing there are many times I must tune it out. I get to a song and think of one that was suppose to play before it and oops guess I missed it. So I enjoy it on the peaceful part of my ride and automatically tune it out in traffic areas.

What I cannot do is talk on my cell (using the ear piece) and drive at the same time. If someone calls I either ignore it and wait until I can pull over or talk real fast and say I will call back or if someone is in the car, I have them get it.

~ JoAnn

I like to wear one ear in. I have an iPod but I just got this new toy and love it for my daily commute ride. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=3756869 it is so tiny and light!

I agree also tune out the music in high traffic areas, The music helps me concentrate on my pace.

What really gets me the most are the people cycling along while speaking on their cell phone (no ear bug etc... ) I usually have mine on me but have never answered it while riding...

I was questioning the whole music thing as a new rider. I plan on doing a lot of back roads training and love to listen to music. It really helps the time fly. I too felt it wasn't safe to wear both headphones, and don't really thing headphones are all that comfy w/ glasses.

My question.. does anyone know if there is any kind of "headphone" type device that you could wear around your neck or helmet that would just play music around your head? I know that a couple of ladies have rigged earphones onto their helmet?? Could you maybe explain this? Would this concept even work?

Thanks so much...

I vaguely recall seeing ads for an expensive toy some years back that, claim was, transmitted hifi sound via your collarbone -- lay around your neck and rested on the collarbone in front. Probably kinda heavy. And if it's no longer available that's prob'ly cuz it didn't work all that well.

I've been thinking on this problem since spending all winter doing spin classes to be in some approximation of shape for a ride in March. The music in spin class really helps keep your cadence -- and humor -- up. I've also gone out and bought some of the music our spin instructor plays. I play it on the mp3 while walking (e.g. 6 miles to work). Definitely gets me going faster, but it's also a bit distracting. I'll miss it on the bike, but I don't dare use it. Not even in one ear. At bike speeds I need to have all my attention on the road, the riders around me, the traffic coming up from behind, cross streets, gravel, potholes, remembering to call out warnings, use hand signals ... At walking speeds I can have some attention to spare, but not on a bike.

Too bad tho'. The drums at the start of Paul Simon: Rhythm of the Saints have me imagining the stop-and-go start of a ride with lots of bikes around, lots of enthusiasm and intermittently space to use it. Next piece has an instrument that sounds like a bike-spoke harp: I imagine finding my rhythm, smooth, open road, not too slow but relaxed enough to do the distance. The cadence picks up, slows down song by song. A few pieces later come some wake-up horns just when the music has you in a bit of a trance, or the spin class has you worn down to one. I can envisage a whole ride to that music, or Carmina Burana, or my brother's new blues album Rude Notes Galore, or sailiing along with the most bewinged movements of my favourite violin concertos (Mendelssohn and Sibelius) ... but I don't dare actually have any of it along.

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Originally Posted by betagirl

When I ride alone, I always bring my iPod. I keep the volume low enough where I can hear what's going on around me. I don't ever ride with headphones with others though, so I can hear communications etc. So you're not the only rule breaker :) I know in some states it's actually illegal to ride with headphones, but I don't think I've ever heard of anyone getting pulled over.

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I'm with you Betagirl. iPod when alone and nothing when with others. I find the earbuds don't interfere with traffic noise very much and have had no problems so far.

:)

on rides I prefer the sounds of the great outdoors which is traffic and noise on my commute or birds and chirping on longer rides.

I'm aware of some hearing loss so I don't dare dampen my senses any further with even one ear bud.

Warning: want music on your ride? You'll want to pass me. I sing on hills, and badly too I might add :D

I can't promise Mendelssohn or Sibelius, usually disco or R&B :) anything with a good beat that sticks in my mind and yours too if you're nearby :o

JJ,
I'm not sure if I posted this earlier - sorry if I did.

When I'm on the road, I don't use anything, but I do on the bike path. I have a pair of headphones with a solid band, not the earbud type. I use one side only, but I don't put it in my ear - I just position it 'near' my ear and turn up the level. No, I can't hear every nuance and detail of the music. It's almost just a reminder of what the song is that's playing. I just started to use it to help with training and doing intervals. One song fast, one song recover.

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Originally Posted by jjcac1

I was questioning the whole music thing as a new rider. I plan on doing a lot of back roads training and love to listen to music. It really helps the time fly. I too felt it wasn't safe to wear both headphones, and don't really thing headphones are all that comfy w/ glasses.

My question.. does anyone know if there is any kind of "headphone" type device that you could wear around your neck or helmet that would just play music around your head? I know that a couple of ladies have rigged earphones onto their helmet?? Could you maybe explain this? Would this concept even work?

Thanks so much...

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I listen to music when I ride on bikeroads (don't know what they're called, the special paths made just for riding and walking) but not in the city. I think it's easier to keep up a good pace with some music (I listen to dance/trance music..). I listen to music all the time anyway and I always have my nice small MP3 player with me. I also ALWAYS carry an extra battery with me just in case ;)

Even if I didin't listen to music I would keep those things in my ears because they block the wind very effectively.

I don't think it's illegal here in Finland to listen to these while driving anything.. Not sure though.

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Originally Posted by Pedal Wench

JJ,
I'm not sure if I posted this earlier - sorry if I did.

When I'm on the road, I don't use anything, but I do on the bike path. I have a pair of headphones with a solid band, not the earbud type. I use one side only, but I don't put it in my ear - I just position it 'near' my ear and turn up the level. No, I can't hear every nuance and detail of the music. It's almost just a reminder of what the song is that's playing. I just started to use it to help with training and doing intervals. One song fast, one song recover.

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Now that I can see might work. It would take some tweeking to find a headphone that will sit off-kilter neither disturbing nor disturbed by helmet. Also, when on a quiet path I might rather hear the birds (bike path near my Mom's place goes through a meadow with lots of redwing blackbirds all competing for territory -- maybe not what the other blackbirds like to hear, but music to MY ears :D ). But for some settings and as musical motivation during a workout ... yeah. I can see the off-ear headphone system working. I'll keep it in mind.

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Originally Posted by Trek420

Warning: want music on your ride? You'll want to pass me. I sing on hills, and badly too I might add :D

I can't promise Mendelssohn or Sibelius, usually disco or R&B :) anything with a good beat that sticks in my mind and yours too if you're nearby :o

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Oh dear! Brain sludge! :eek: "I'm a lumberjack and I'm OK, I sleep all night and I work all day" over and over. Only cure for brain sludge is replacement -- sing another song until it nudges sludge 1 out of brain, then hope the new song doesn't mutate into new sludge. Everybody who expects to do a hill anywhere near Trek on the Cindy, you are hereby forewarned: better prepare a mental playlist of replacement songs. :rolleyes:

I ride with music it helps motivate me to ride faster. it makes me happy.:D I listen to u2 and and a group called the john Butler trio If you haven't heard of them check them out. Sooo good. They are from down under. A bit of jazz meets reggae and aussie mixed in.

I'm not one to preach, but I was interested in this thread, because recently in Australia, this was a big news story which I've cut and pasted from our local newspaper (Sydney Morning Herald):

iPod blamed for Aussie death
February 14, 2006

An Australian woman was knocked off her bike and killed, possibly because she couldn't hear traffic noise because of her iPod music device, friends say.

Patricia McMillan was knocked from her bike in a London street and thrown under the wheels of a lorry near her home in Acton, west London, on February 2, reported Britain's Evening Standard newspaper.

The 32-year-old law student had been on her way to a part-time job as a waitress in Kensington when the crash happened, the newspaper reported.

Ms McMillan's best friend, Jacques Poullard, said she may still have been alive if she hadn't been listening to the Apple iPod.

"She was obsessed by that thing. It wasn't that she was careless. I bought her the bike three years ago and it was how she travelled everywhere.

"I never said anything to her about wearing the iPod but now I think if she hadn't had it on she might have heard the lorry.

"I hope people will think twice about cycling while wearing headphones."

You're singing my song (pun intended.) Even on a bike path, listening to music is not good. Statistically speaking, we run into each other more often than we have automobile related accidents. OK, if you're wearing a helmet (and OF COURSE all of us TE'ers do that, right.....???) chances are you won't die if struck by another cyclist. But you could certainly get pretty banged up, including broken bones, road rash, etc. and it would keep you off your bike for awhile.

And why would anybody want to listen to music when they could listen to the birds? Or, better yet, tap into their own essence and enjoy being alive without head banging music. That is what cycling brings to me. I save the music for rush hour traffic in my car (when tapping into my essence isn't good for the guy I'm following :eek: )

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Originally Posted by allabouteva

I'm not one to preach, but I was interested in this thread, because recently in Australia, this was a big news story which I've cut and pasted from our local newspaper (Sydney Morning Herald):

iPod blamed for Aussie death
February 14, 2006

An Australian woman was knocked off her bike and killed, possibly because she couldn't hear traffic noise because of her iPod music device, friends say. ..."

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Yes, maybe she could have avoided the accident if she'd heard the lorry. But if that lorry was coming up from behind her (as it sounds from the story) it's still the lorry driver's fault. Oh, I'm sure the lorry company and their insurance company will try blaming the victim here. And I don't advise wearing headphones in traffic! Little comfort in having been right after the accident has happened. But that said, if somebody hits you from behind, it's their fault!

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But that said, if somebody hits you from behind, it's their fault!

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I don't think we can make any assumptions. I see way too many people who can't ride a straight line and swerve all over the place. They can't look over their shoulder without swerving out into traffic. We can't tell if the cyclist was doing everything absolutely right.

Last year I knocked down another cyclist because he made a left turn in front of me without looking (even in his giant side mirror). He and all the witnesses kept saying it wasn't my fault. If I hadn't knocked him down, one of the rush hour cars would have with far greater consequences - and not been at fault.

Without the nitty-gritty details, we can't assume anything.

I only wear my mp3 when I am on the country road not while I am on the city streets. To me you are testing fate there. You need all your sences when riding in the city. It's confusing enough just walking. I wonder how many cyclists are killed every year and how many people just walking are killed?:confused:

I don't listen to anything other than the sounds around me when I ride (and when I used to run).

As a woman riding / running alone, I feel a very strong need to be aware of what's going on around me at all times. Much like body posture dictating whether I look confident or vulnerable (an easy target), sporting headphones/ear buds (one or two), gives off an air of vulnerability, regardless of how much you can or cannot hear.

I listen to music while training inside, but never outside.

First, for safety. I want to listen for autos, other riders, dogs, and heaven forbid, perverts.

Second, for habit. Music is forbidden in USAT triathlons and I want to train as I will race.

Third, to hear the sounds around me. I want to hear the wind in the trees and the river roaring as I ride up the trail.

My 2 cents

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Originally Posted by DeniseGoldberg

I agree. I would never consider blocking out the sounds of the environment I am riding through. It's our responsibility to stay as safe as possible when riding - and keeping focused on the sights and sounds of the road is much more important than listening to your favorite music.

--- Denise

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I couldn't agree more.

I was wondering if many people rode listening to music. I don't care for music but have loaded some audio novels on my mp3 player. Want to try listening to those when riding on our many bike trails - but not the road. Thought I'd try with just listening with the right ear and leave the ear bud off the left one to listen. Will let you know how it works.

<WARNING - MOTHER HAT ON>

Riding is inherently dangerous. We need to pay attention to everything no matter where we're riding. One of my worst accidents was due to inattention to the road - didn't see that big old rock because I was daydreaming. Listening to music or audio tapes takes your attention off of the task at hand.

One of the joys of riding is being in nature and fully experiencing Her majesty. That includes the sounds of birds, the wind, streams. For me, there is also the feeling that you cannot get through the usual senses that this is "what it is all about." The peace and serenity. The inner knowing that the world is a good place. I can't get that with U2 banging in my eardrums.

I save the headphones for the gym where I WANT to drown out the noise and escape into my own world.

Sorry to be blunt but:

Where is the jersey that says "Unplug and ride"?

Unless you MUST drown out the infernal sound of my singing ;) I invite you to sing louder than me.

Inside, gym, spin class, on the trainer...bring on the noise.

I admit being a bit of a Ludite, plus the meditative/contemplative aspect of the sport, and what others have said-safety first~gotta be aware. That's aware of your suroundings, the bike (what was that clicking or noise?)...

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Originally Posted by carback

I don't listen to anything other than the sounds around me when I ride (and when I used to run).

As a woman riding / running alone, I feel a very strong need to be aware of what's going on around me at all times. Much like body posture dictating whether I look confident or vulnerable (an easy target), sporting headphones/ear buds (one or two), gives off an air of vulnerability, regardless of how much you can or cannot hear.

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I agree! As a lone female, biker/runner, I too need to be aware of what goes on around me. Whether it is that redneck hanging out the passenger side window to gawk and make rude comments, or that small, four legged ankle biter yapping at my heels, I need to know where they are and what their intentions are. Some can ride with music, more power to you sister, it just isn't for me.

last I checked - 3 weeks ago - bicycles are NOT considered vehicles in arizona. I was shocked to discover that. Doesn't mean we get off scott-free or have no rights. We have rights and penalties. Just, no motor, no vehicle.

I do not recall reading any laws pertaining to music, but I have no interest in being hit a third time.

I do admit to listening to music in my college days. - or rather, trying to. I live in a very busy city. Many cars moving quickly. If the speed limit says 35, you can expect that most are going 45-50.
I figured, if I kept one ear unplugged, I should be able to hear cars and such and know my danger level. I thought a little soft music would be a nice addition. However, the soft music was not to be obtained, I had to turn the volume level up to very unsafe volumes to be able to make out a thing with my right ear as the noise of the city is very loud. It didn't even last the full 3 miles I was riding before I unplugged it to allow my raging headache to subside. the two loud noises made a disaster in the making. i think i tried it once again, with a "quieter" road, and had similar results. I abandoned them as dead weight.

I find I don't need it. If I want music, I'll provide my own, and let those who can hear, deal. Otherwise, if I'm bored enough to need music - i'm not riding hard enough, :rolleyes:

I'm sure there are those who can get away with music and still be safe. But I imagine that number is much smaller than those who listen here think. I would say that if you rely on your "safe routes" and "mild streets" to be validate your choice, please seriously reconsider.

Right now, and probably for the next three months, I am excruciatingly aware of my vulnerability. I've decided that If a human uses wheels to move from one place to another, it is not a matter of if, but when she/he will have an accident. Unlike cars, we do not have crunchable metal cases around our bodies, we must take the brunt of the onslaught with our flesh. I love bicycling. I'm back riding in traffic, and I do not mean to scare anyone off. Just realize that our love has danger attached, ride defensively, it can save your neck. All you need is one car. or a motorcycle, or another bicycle, or heck, anything that can move! to come along and ruin your day, week, year, life.
I'm not pointing fingers, nor do I want you to take offense. Instead, I am asking those who listen, to please carefully reevaluate their choice and make sure they are genuinely ones who can get away with it.

If you would not ride with music on roads with heavy traffic, you should not do it on roads that have the potential for even the lightest of traffic.

It only takes one.

I sometimes feel there's enough fear warnings in our lives, we're women and we're all aware "don't go here, don't do that", we hear that all our lives.

We're all carefull out there. One thing we have not discussed here is our hearing.

There's a lot of press about Ipods and hearing such as:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4673584.stm

I'm here to tell you it's true.

I work on the phone all day, the customers I talk to are disabled, most hearing impaired. I like my job and most of my customers are lovely but they have no clue how loud they are. They don't hear themselves so I don't hear them either, right? Even with my phone turned down to the lowest setting, headset on the back of my head, I now wear earplugs...it's still loud enough that I know my hearing's been effected.

If you ever meet me, I'm not ignoring you it's possible I don't hear you. I love my job but I'm putting in for transfers.

Once it's gone gals, it's gone. Your hearing is a gift, protect it.

Protect your hearing.