Music & Cycling: Am I crazy?

[Saxa82]

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.

[MomOnBike]

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.

[juvel01]

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.

[bluerider]

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.

[mtnmunch]

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.

[Jo-n-NY]

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

[PinkRacer]

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...