As a runner I always wore my headset ,but as a cycler on the road ,is it safe. I wear them ,but keep it low. I can hear cars etc... What is everyones view on this subject???? Im having a disagreement about this with someone.
Thanks Suzie
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As a runner I always wore my headset ,but as a cycler on the road ,is it safe. I wear them ,but keep it low. I can hear cars etc... What is everyones view on this subject???? Im having a disagreement about this with someone.
Thanks Suzie
A couple of previous threads on the subject which you might find interesting:
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ght=headphones
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ght=headphones
oh boy, here we go again :rolleyes: :)
you mean the
"You do?! It's Dangerous and Illegal and you're going to DIE! Pfft! You're Dead to me Already!!!"
vs
"Yeah. And I listen to what's around me... but how can you NOT listen to music while riding? They're made for each other!"
...guess which I side with?
Oh, Kit.... oh, dear dear Kit. What are we gonna do with you?:D
This topic. It's like passing an accident on the highway. You know you shouldn't look, you know it's just trouble, but you can't help it. You look.
This is why the Camelbak with the speakers in the shoulder straps will be perfect for bikers. Right now I bike (when I rode outdoors) with one head phone in and the other over my shoulder so I could still hear it alittle bit.
Cool idea, but how could you possibly get speakers with enough 'oomf' to play the thumpy techno I listen to?
Knot- you rubber necker! How could I possibly be a danger to myself and others (my claim to Team Danger) without being sorta dangerous?
I don't wear them when i'm on the road going into town or cycling where there might be a lot of people or cars, but i often cycle on disused railway paths, which basically serve as bridleways and dog walking routes and then i pop the phones in and keep it lowish. Dependent upon the time of day obviously as there are certain times when there are more dog walkers and people sauntering about than others.
In the end music can often enhance a ride, but sometimes it's nice to enjoy the sounds of the countryside. Hell i have to "enjoy" the smells of it! Pigs on my route you see!:eek:
I've found a VERY happy medium!
I DO NOT WEAR HEADPHONES
I use the loadspeaker function on my Nokia 6280 (which is alos my MP3 Player) and ride home with that. I listen too my music but it's ALWAY's instantly drowned out by an approaching car. It's in my back pocket of my jersey on my commute.
Headsets ARE dangerous for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists alike.
I hate it when I ring my bell or call out to a jogger or dog walker meandering in front of me in the road only to find they are totally deaf to me because they are wearing earbuds. Incredibly dangerous and annoying. My DH used to wear them cycling but stopped when he himself began to realize he was not hearing traffic well enough.
Besides, I think part of the beauty of riding a bicycle is in being in tune with your environment- I love to hear all the tiny sounds around me when I ride:
the crickets, the tiny roadside stream gurgling, the birds, the sounds of the wind whistling through my helmet, the dry leaves scuttering across the road, the sound of my tires on the asphalt, the sound of my gears changing and clicking, the scolding squirrels, the hawk high overhead, someone raking leaves, a distant dog barking, the sound of children playing in their backyards...these sounds all feed my soul when I ride down the open road, and I myself on my bike become one of the sounds as well, I become one with them all. For me, it's really a sort of spiritual experience.
I wear them. I try to stay aware, keep the volume low and plan what roads and time iam going to keep it safe.
Hi Everyone!
No, I WILL NOT wear headphones while riding my bike!!
Even with the volume set at LOW, IMHO, it's my feeling that 100% of your attention is NOT on riding your bike AND the environment around you.
If you are DRIVING YOUR BIKE, then you need to PAY ATTENTION -- YOU NEED TO BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS.
I won't wear headphones and I won't ride with anyone who wears them.
Stay safe!
Denise
I agree with Denise, sitting in an office chair with only one ear bud in, listening to NPR is enough to distract me into not "hearing" someone speak to me, so I don't believe that any earphones, no matter how low they are set can ever be safe while riding a bike. In many places it is a moot point in any case, because it is illegal to ride a bike, on the street or on a path, while wearing headphones.
Thank you KN-I needed a laugh. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by KnottedYet
Nooooooooooo! Every time we have this discussion, it always goes on for pages and pages, and no one's ever 'converted' we just find out who thinks who's going to die, and who's just peachy with that. Pleaaaase! No!
FTR, I've found music that I *can* play (has enough higher-pitched stuff to sound decent out of headphones turned up and unworn) so I'm using those sony headphones that wrap around your ear (not the buds) and slipping the 'over the ear' part through my straps, and turning it up, so it's like ambient music that cars/etc will easily drown out.
Also ftr, it's my older music that was meant to be played on speakers less 'refined' than these days, so it almost has a more authentic sound that way...
...my Doors, Janis, Pink Floyd, John Denver, Bob Dylan, Beatles (White and One albums) etc etc... ...and newer ones like Nirvana etc.
the external speakers are okay, and legal, I think. In Beaverton, OR, specifically, headphones or earbuds in both ears on any public road are illegal, while external speakers are alright. ---Just for the FYI on official legality.
Ok.... I confess..... I had to rubber neck this one............... gawd I wish I had just done a none-of-my-business driveby.........
Why can't we all just get along????? I'm gonna keep my yap shut on this one....and listen to some tunes........
I am the friend with whom Suzie had the headphone disagreement. Well I never thought about it as a disagreement. I must be really out of the loop because I was merely astonished that someone would want to reduce one of their senses while riding. It didn't make any sense to me.
However, it is an individual choice, and I think a person can make their own decision once they are aware of the risks. Suzie must be doing something right because she has had only one fall, whereas I've had two falls and dented two really nice helmets; Suzie is still going strong with her first helmet.
I do hate it when people have them on while walking or jogging on a bike path. They don't hear my bike bell and I've had to shout out at the top of my lungs and sometimes even come to a screeching halt.
Darcy
I get annoyed at the headphone wearers who are oblivious to everyone and everything around them. That said, not ALL folks who wear headphones tune out their surroundings, as I regularly pass a few who will wave as I warn them that I'm passing on their left. My concern is that you see the buds in/earphones one and you just don't know what to expect as you approach them. Invaribly, some will drift into your lane just as you approach (do those IPOD earbuds have a magnetic force that are attracted to bikes?) ;) I've taken to warning, loudly and often, as I approach and they are non-responsive.
The bottom line is that we all have a responsibility to others when we are using multiuse trails or public roads. The story of the TE gal who could have drown in stream when run off the trail by the "mad aerobar chick" -- who apparently was NOT wearing headphones but was completely wrapped up in herself -- serves as a good reminder to all of us.
If someone chooses to tune out their surroundings and gets hurt due to their inattention, I cannot feel sorry for them. It's a Darwin thing, in my opinion. As long as they don't take out someone else when they have that inevitable accident.
Unfortunately, most accidents involving "deaf" headphone wearers are not just cases of them jogging into walls by themselves- they are almost always COLLISIONS with others in the traffic pattern due to their being unaware of those around them, and as such, they are usually not just hurting themsleves.Quote:
Originally Posted by mickchick
I resent joggers and bikers purposely impairing their sense of hearing when in traffic, because yes it DOES affect MY safety, not just theirs.
I'm with Kitsune06. I do the same, I store my IPOD in my jersey pocket, and wear my headphones around my neck (wires through jersey so they don't get tangled). This allows me to hear the music just enough to make out the song (and get that extra boost up those hills), but not enough where I'd rant about the acoustics. I'm able to hear my music, people, cars, dogs running after me :eek: , and am still able to hear the crickets and birds.
The comical thing about it is when traffic increases or I pass a school with kids at recess (yelling/screaming), I get mad becuase it always seems to happen during a good song and I can't hear it!!!! :D :D :D
Roshelle from Milwaukee
And one more thing to add, I ALWAYS wear my headphones while running on the trails (on my actual ears). I don't think I'd enjoy it as much w/out. If it is THAT unsafe on the trails around my house (which is designated to runners, walkers, and bikers~no cars) that I can't run with headphones without fear of getting run down, then there are alot more issues to discuss than headphones.
I do keep cyclists in mind as I am one of them, and run way to the right side, which allows them plenty of room to go around. I also do the spot checks over my left shoulder before passing a walker, etc. I've had my fair share of people jumping in front of me without looking and they are not fun.
But to add (I might tick some people off by saying this), but if you are going to go for a bike ride and you are going over 20mph, I'm sorry, but you don't belong on the trails!!!!!!! There has been so many times (usually men cyclists~actually I've only seen men cyclists do this) that FLY past me at 25 mph on the trails and almost take me out either running or on my bike:eek: . With all those twists and turns on trails, I just don't think it's safe. Anyone agree?
Just my 2 cents.
Roshelle from Milwaukee
I have looked at this thread 10 times now without saying a thing, but I guess I looked one to many times. LOL
Are those of you that don't listen to music saying that someone that is deaf, should not ride, or run, or jog?
I listen to my music when I am on the road by myself, or when it is just DH and I. I don't wear them on organized rides or with groups, I keep one ear open to be able to hear other things going on and I don't listen to it extremely loud. With that said, I got to thinking about "what about deaf folks". Isn't the problem more about people not watching out for one another rather than hearing. I mean it is a plus to have all senses, but what about the deaf.
When I ride, I ride to the right. I don't go all swervy curvey all over the road, even when I am alone, before I do any turning, I look over my shoulder, to look for anything that might be coming. I think my eyes do a whole lot more of the work to keep me safe than my ears.
The organized ride I went on Saturday, out of over a 1000 people, I had 1 or 2 people call out as they passed, I did a whole lot better watching out for folks than trying to listen because they weren't letting me know anything in advance anyway, I even had folks coming around me on the right even though I was alomost all the way over anyway. So I am just wondering if the issue isn't more about people not following our own biking rules, than it is about hearing. I mean it reminds me of the folks driving cars that think the road is all about them and everyone else better by God get out of their way because the rules are for everyone else but not them.
I agree you shouldn't totally have the music real loud and in both ears with no way to hear anything, but I see people get distracted and not pay attention without music, as much as with it.
Just a thought.
I try to be as safe as possible and would never want to endanger someone else for sure, but I do like my music to keep me motivated but happily ride without it when I am with others.
Well guess what? I strongly support wearing headphones while riding....on my indoor trainer that is! :D
As for the what if..."should people that are deaf not ride, etc?". My view of it is, well for those of us who are fortunate enough to have our hearing, we should not be making ourselves 'deaf' (so to speak) by wearing headphones while riding outdoors in traffic or even on a bikepath. I've learned that saying/shouting 'bike on your left' is useless at least 50% of the time on bikepaths as bicycle riders are oftentimes wearing headphones.
If someone truly does have a hearing issue, then I am not going to blame them for it. Nor would I say they should not ride.
For everyone else though, not much sympathy from me if I see them out w/headphones
In my opinion, the higher the number of people out there in traffic (streets AND paths) who wear earphones while jogging, biking, roller blading, or walking, the more accidents we are going to be seeing.
Yes, listening to music IS enjoyable while biking or jogging....but even aside from the hearing impairment, it DOES pull some of your concentration away from what's happening around you on the road at that instant, just like having your mind wandering. The combination of bikers listening to headphones and drivers talking on cell phones is incredibly dangerous.
In my humble opinion, music is fine when you're exercising in the gym- it's a safe environment where collisions with other exercisers are seldom fatal.
There is a state bike trail at an Oregon state park where I rode a lot this summer. I asked a head ranger specifically about the rules of the trail, because I witnessed many accidents and I had three very close encounters myself. The ranger said it is a bike trail, and though it is multi-use, the bikes have the right of way. If someone or a family blocks the trail, and they cause the bicyclist to crash, then those people are liable, not the bicyclist. The speed of the bicycle is not relevant because the trail is posted that it is for bicycles.Quote:
Originally Posted by roshelleuop
The rangers said what usually causes the accidents are family groups using the bike trails with very young children on tricycles and toy bikes, and the trikes veer in front of the bikers, or a biker comes around a curve and the trail is clogged with the toy bikes, and there is a crash. Another cause of the accidents are walkers and joggers who spread out across the trail, or walk down the middle, blocking the trail for the bicyclists. The ranger said when they write up the citations, the fault goes to the people blocking the trail, and when the bikers take the people to court for medical costs and other damages, the court finds in the bikers' favor.
Darcy
When I first started cycling, and joined this forum a few months later, I was gonna use head phones and joined in discussion in a very similar thread to this.
Now I wouldn't dream of it cause there are to many times cars have snuck up on me when I have had "naked" ears...
When I need rythym I sing to myself, sometimes out loud, sometimes in my head.
I find Melissa Etheridge, Bruce Springsteen and the Indigo Girls all have useful songs to keep the beat/pace to.
Darcy in Orgeon :) ,
Thanks for the info!!! This is a good to know and I will make sure to stay out of the way of those flying men!!! :D :D
The rule makes sense, it's just not fair :(
Roshelle from Milwaukee
THANK YOU TO ALL THE LADIES THAT REPLIED WITH NEW TACTICS FOR ME!!! I HAVE ALOT OF DIFFERENT IDEAS TO TRY OUT TONIGHT ON MY RIDE!!!!
I won't ride with ear buds/headphones for a few reasons:
1) I don't feel safe. I need to hear what is going on around me. Sure, I have heard that headphone wearers can hear what is going on, but I don't feel comfortable doing that.
2) Along the safety line, I refuse to look like a victim. As a lone female cyclist/runner, I don't need anything to make me look like I am not aware of my surroundings and let someone else think they can take advantage of me. Think again.
3) I really don't feel the need to take my music everywhere I go, unlike our Ipod Nation. I see these things everywhere! I don't get bored on long rides, I don't need constant entertainment to keep my mind occupied while I push out the miles. My entertainment is hearing the wind whistle through my helmet straps, the cars whizz by, the happy chatter of others I ride with or the greetings of people I pass. If I want to listen to music, I will do so at home, off the bike.
Interesting point -- it's rare that 100% of my attention is on riding my bike and the environment around me. Same when I'm driving a car. Even if I'm not listening to the radio or music or an audiobooks while driving, my mind is going 1,000 miles a minute, thinking about all sorts of things, hopping from one tangent to the next. I sometimes even talk to myself.Quote:
Originally Posted by Denise223
Same on the bike (though I've avoided talking to myself). I have ADD. I can't focus 100% of my attention on just about anything.
Should I stop riding now?
I was diagnosed as having ADD myself - and was offered medication for it, but I prefer not taking Ritalin. I'm hyper enough.
Truth be told, when I am on my bike - that's where my mind is focused - 100%!
I'm not going to question "why that is"... I'm just grateful I can focus while on my bike.
But, at other times.....my mind is going 100 miles a minute - thinking of anything & everything. And, I talk to myself too :)
Peace & Love,
Denise
When this topic comes up someone always uses this argument. I see it this way. Deaf people are deaf 100% of the time so they've developed coping mechanisms that most folks who stop up their ears with headphones haven't. Yes I am anti head phone.Quote:
Originally Posted by DDH
Wait a sec -- now I can't think about my writing, work out plot points and characterization nuances and "listen" to dialogue in my mind while I'm cycling?Quote:
Originally Posted by Lisa S.H.
:eek:
But having a spiritual experience while you're riding doesn't distract you? It would me!Quote:
Originally Posted by Lisa S.H.
That sounds like a lot of distracting things going on there, to pull your attention away from the road and traffic (and potential traffic). Or maybe you're a better woman than I, and can listen to such things without having your mind wander....
I'm not picking you, Lisa. I enjoy your posts and your attitude. It just happens that these couple of posts by you seem to sum up eloquently what a number of people seem to be saying here and in previous threads.
I think it's fair to say that anybody with earpods or headphones who isn't able to hear what's going on around them is certainly a potential hazard and that's just plain stupid and dangerous.
But the attitude shared by many here that we mustn't ever let our minds wander, that we should find the experience of cycling so complete in and of itself that we don't NEED anything else, and if we do, there's something clearly lacking in us --
I think that's a lot of hooey.
;)
Respectfully submitted by --
Pooks
My spiritual experience this morning involved singing the theme from "Rawhide" over and over through three beach cities. Considering my poor, sad singing ability, I'm sure more people on the bike path wished they were hearing impaired.:p
"My heart's calculatin'... my True Love will be waitin'... be waiting at the end of my ride..."
Joy
(Definitely of the NO headphone sect)
Don't forget Soul Man!
I'm one of those people that is really not very spiritual. I guess I'm lacking in that respect. I do love biking, nature, the outdoors, but I guess I'm not really spiritual about it.
I AM ANTI-headphones because I think they are dangerous for the people using them and the other people forced to try to deal with those people on road or off.
My personal take on biking is that it should be fun and relaxing, and my personal take is that I don't want to be connected to anything (like a computer, a phone, an ipod, earphones, etc.) cause it defeats the purpose to me and the purpose to me is TO GET AWAY FROM IT ALL. I really believe that people are too hooked up these days and biking is a good way to get away from that "always being available and hooked up to everyone else".
But, the real reason I'm anti headphones is that they are dangerous to the person using them and to me when I'm trying to ride by.
Now I feel better! I'm limited in the amount of paved roads around here, and wasn't feeling terribly ambitious. Sunday, I wanted to ride, but not really go anywhere, so I loaded up my ipod and rode my bike at the high school track. Around and around in circles with no one else in sight. I listened to an audiobook....educational??? enlightening??? No way, a trashy murder mystery. I had a blast!!! I was somehow feeling a little guilty about that after reading this thread. No cars, no one else, but somehow I thought I wasn't experiencing riding properly.:eek:
Move 'em on, head 'em up,
Head 'em up, move 'em out,
Move 'em on, head 'em out Rawhide!
Set 'em out, ride 'em in
Ride 'em in, let 'em out,
Cut 'em out, ride 'em in Rawhide.
Agh! Memories!
Pooks- I'm with you. There's a 4 mile stretch of my route that I rarely encounter another living soul on... and my mind wanders (being there as long as I am- slowpoke!)
Characters, dialogue, scenes, details, random poetry, the piece of my mind I'd give so-and-so "if they were here right now", etc etc... Just as distracting as music...
And I still occasionally listen to my headphones (yes Ma'am, I know...) but only really on that stretch (half of it is a gravel road only traveled by residents and the other half is a very minor side-road, similarly only traveled by residents...)
The "spiritual experience" I feel from riding has more to do with being connected to everything taking place and passing around me. I am a part of all the events unfolding around me as I pass. In a car I always feel slightly removed from my surroundings. (I'm not saying you don't feel a part of YOUR surroundings mind you, I'm just describing here how I feel)Quote:
Originally Posted by pooks
Far from being distracting, noticing the many varied noises as I move through my environment makes me MORE aware and alert to what's going on in front, back, and to either side of me. It's a sense of hyper-reality I've only felt before when walking alone in the snow in the forest. I guess that's the best I can explain it. :)
WOW!!!!! I didn't think this thread would be so controversial. I am one that does wear headphones (in one ear ,the one away from traffic). I felt bad after reading all the post ,and went on a 10 mile ride in" Beaverton" traffic without a headset on. My mind was so pre occupied by all the thoughts of the day ,and just thoughts in general. My concentration level was low. I know I'm more aware of traffic while wearing a headset. It may not work for everyone ,but it works for me. I ride to the right of the bike lane ,and turn around every so often to make sure no one is behind me. I can hear cars very well. I never wear them when I'm riding with someone. I wont wear them next Sunday on my 40 mile group ride.
You talk about the sounds of nature , birds etc...well the sound of wind can block out the sound of traffic. A head set helps with the sound of wind.
Suzie
So do earplugs. :eek: ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by suzieqtwa