Article: How dangerous is it to use headphones on a bike?

[mstone]

Also, water: still wet

[hozn]

More interesting is how much these would improve the situation for those that do want a soundtrack for their ride: http://www.aftershokz.com/

[TwoWheelsDC]

But others have countered that most headphones don’t block out all sound, that it’s not really so different from drivers listening to music in their cars. And, they’ll add, hearing really isn’t that crucial for biking safely.

As someone who loves to rock out when driving, even I admit that listening to loud music in a car almost certainly decreases driver awareness and safety.

[Brendan von Buckingham]

My ears tell me:

the size of the vehicle overtaking me (car, european sport, hoopty beater, motorcycle, truck, pick-up, bus…they all sound different)
whether it is hauling a trailer (important so I don’t re-establish lane position too soon only to get clipped by the trailer)
whether it is accelerating aggressively
if it is braking
if the car behind me has matched my speed and is waiting to pass or change lanes
whether a car is overtaking me on my left or on my right between me and the curb (Like the sh:thead this morning. My ears were my first warning to move left and save my life).
a cyclist approaching from behind? No cyclists ever catch me

I would never ride in the city with headphones.

[Emm]

I was biking on the trail a few weekends ago and a girl had a battery operated wireless speaker inside her seat post water bottle cage. The speaker looked kinda like this one, although the one I linked to is not the exact one she was using.

I think it was the best of both worlds: she could rock out during her ride, but she could also hear everything around her–she heard me approaching from pretty far back, and I wasn’t being especially loud.

[hozn]

The only flaw with people listening to music from speakers on their bike is that it means everyone else on the trail has to listen to their music too. Of course, it’s not so bad when just passing by someone, but I imagine it would be annoying in traffic. That said, it does seem safer.

I was reading the recent Bycling interview with Marianne Vos last night and found it especially amusing that she sings in the pack during races to help her concentration. She also noted, though, that she doesn’t train with headphones/music.

[dasgeh]

In Iowa, we passed a number of people using speakers. It was kind of fun. Around here, I’ve ridden near convertibles with their tops down blasting music. Since it was always < 10 minutes, it was kinda fun.

[SerialCarpins]

I listen with one headphone in during off-street trail rides (I’m fairly slow, and stay to the right, so don’t really have to worry about being a danger on the trail) I never have them in during city street rides. I rely too much on my senses to keep me alive.

[sethpo]

Like most things related to cycling, I find my earbud use to be highly situational.

If riding in D.C. in the afternoons when I know things are going to be very congested, I usually refrain. But I always listen to either music, podcasts or audible books on the majority of my commute on the CCT and suburban roads. But, I’m a one earbud guy (right ear for bud, left for traffic). I don’t think hearing traffic behind me is nearly as useful as my mirror.

On group rides I wouldn’t ever listen to anything although I’ve seen people do it. I find that both rude and dangerous as you can miss important warnings in a tight bunch.

I did, however, just order this device that’s combo light, bluetooth speaker, FM radio, and MP3 player. I’m not sure how it will work with spoken word vs music and if it will have to be louder than I’m comfortable using it in public for it to be effective (you can still plug the earbuds in). We’ll see how that goes but at least it’s another light and if nothing else I can use it around the house, in the car, etc.

(Disclosure: This Vox article was written by my co-worker Joseph who is an urban cyclist. I had nothing to do with it though.)

[Rod Smith]

I don’t use headphones on group rides.

[mcfarton]

When I ride solo I have Bluetooth headphones. I link with my phone and use mapmyride and Pandora. I wear the headphones around my neck. Both of my ears remain open.
I can rock out when I am climbing. But when I go down hill I reach speeds where all I can hear is wind. If I am over 30mph I take over the lane.
I am also not riding in the city. Most of my rides are on rustic roads.
Many of my friends and family complain about my headphone use. I do ride without occasionally, like when I forget to charge one of them. But I find myself missing it.
In my opinion riding with cars is dangerous no matter what precautions you take. So if you can’t enjoy it whats the point.

[Vicegrip]

Depends on the situation. First off, solo riding only if you are riding in a group be a part of the group. For me, one ear, 99% npr some times music but only loud enough to hear as make out the words not hear like I am at the concert, not on busy roads. I put the ear bud in then the helmet on. This way I can simply pop the bud out and it hangs on the helmet strap. I pop it out when in anything other than mup or back road riding. 6 am sunday am blast to P-vill and back on the wod? tunes ok. lewensvill rd at 7 am on a Tuesday even a single earbud not ok.

[Author]

Posts