"Avoid using headsets to listen to music"

[chickwhorips]

if i lived in a more populated area i wouldn't wear earbuds or listen to music. i'm way to worried about someone else doing something they shouldn't if its a car or a person walking. people and/or animals are so unpredictable.

[mimitabby]

if i lived in a more populated area i wouldn't wear earbuds or listen to music. i'm way to worried about someone else doing something they shouldn't if its a car or a person walking. people and/or animals are so unpredictable.

what about mama bears???!!!

[Bike Goddess]

I'm with Velogirl on this one. I've never used any kind of headphones, ipods, or what have you when I'm out cycling.

I too think this is a dangerous activity regardless of where you live, cycle, run, etc. I get distracted enough with my own "self" conversations without adding mechanical devices to the mix.

[Tater]

Another one here in the absolutely no headphones camp. It is bad enough that I am a lone female out biking/running as it is. I don't need an mp3 player on to make me look more of a victim to any potential assclown who thinks he can try something because he thinks I am distracted by my music.

I ride/run to listen to my body and to get outdoors. I need to hear my breathing, the rhythmic thump of my feet on the ground, the ratcheting of a freewheel, the wind in my face, the burn in my quads. Music plays a large part in my life, I love it. But not when it could put me in a potentially dangerous situation.

[chickwhorips]

what about mama bears???!!!

if i'm around an area that seems high risk (lots of hiding places) for running into a bear, i take off my headphones, but then again if there is a bear in the area you can usually smell them before seeing them if the wind is right.

[Aggie_Ama]

I listen to them when I am running. And I admit slightly louder than I should. I should heed the warning and not think my trail is safe.

NEVER on a bike. I have enough trouble hearing cars over the wind!

[Susie]

I have to admit, I occasionally use my iPod when riding alone, but only on long rides (50+ miles) to try to keep my cadence up. I keep the volume low and I've found that I actually hear cars better than without the pods in my hears. Without the pods, the wind in my ears generally drowns out most noises, including cars until they're basically right on top of me. With the pods, the wind is blocked and I can hear things better. But again, I keep the volume low so that the music is more of a background noise and I never use it when I'm riding with others.

Susie