Headphones (who wears them)

[DarcyInOregon]

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

[Selkie]

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.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

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.
I resent joggers and bikers purposely impairing their sense of hearing when in traffic, because yes it DOES affect MY safety, not just theirs.