Music & Cycling: Am I crazy?

[Duck on Wheels]

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

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

Oh dear! Brain sludge! "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.

[Brandi]

I ride with music it helps motivate me to ride faster. it makes me happy. 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.

[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.

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."

[Dogmama]

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 )

[Duck on Wheels]

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. ..."

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!

[SadieKate]

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

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.

[Brandi]

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?

[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.

[Lifesgreat]

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

[salsabike]

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

I couldn't agree more.

[Andi]

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.

[Dogmama]

<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.

[Trek420]

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?)...

[Tater]

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 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.

[ladyjai]

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,

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.