dont ride with your headphones on!

[Khane]

I still sometimes wear them without anything playing through them, though, because it stops me getting earache when I'm out for a while on a cold day!

i do this too.

He's not just lucky.

If my daughter opened the car door and got whacked by a rider wearing headphones, it may well cloud my judgement as to whether or not the rider was at fault.

headphones on or off wouldn't make much difference to out come of that as you aren't going to hear the door opening prior to smashing into it a second or 2 later.

this precisely why i give parked cars a wide berth as alot of people don't look before opening the door.

if i was riding in an inner city i would think twice about wearing headphones whilst out on a bike.
inner city traffic is a nightmare at the best of times and you'd need all of your faculties to avoid serious injury.

my hearing is pretty crap anyway thanks to scaring of my ear drums from multiple gromit ops as a kid.

 

[djoptix]

I wasn't saying that wearing headphones is a good idea. It isn't. I was just saying that it's not only about the law of averages. If you've been riding for umpteen years and never come off or run into something, you're probably a fairly aware rider. However, it doesn't change the fact that you're less safe with headphones on than with them off.

I don't think HF was saying that wearing headphones would make you react more slowly and run into more car doors. He was saying that if you saw a cyclist run into something and then found out they were wearing headphones you would automatically think the cyclist was at fault, which is bad for all of us.

 

[Khane]

I don't think HF was saying that wearing headphones would make you react more slowly and run into more car doors. He was saying that if you saw a cyclist run into something and then found out they were wearing headphones you would automatically think the cyclist was at fault, which is bad for all of us.

fair point.

 

[Drencrom]

I would never wear earphones in Bristol.

I hear you.

 

[highlandsflyer]

I would ALWAYS wear headphones in Windsor.

Interesting thread anyway, it is something that involves a lot of us, because our kids are being brought up in a culture where headphones are being worn much more than in the past, for example when I grew up, the Walkman generation has melded into the iPod generation and smart phone/bluetooth generation.

It would not be surprising to see legislation introduced soon covering this, in line with the introduction of penalties for using mobile phones whilst driving.

There was talk of banning the use of headsets in cars, I think this is a great idea. Talking on the phone is far too distracting on occasion to be safe.

It would seem only fair to see some restriction on car stereos as well, but I am sure that will be much more difficult and would this government risk the wrath of the all powerful motoring lobby?

There is also the issue of cars becoming more quiet, this already applies to a number of vehicles.

What to be done?

I just can't see a way of going forward that has faster/motorised vehicles mixing with cyclists as a policy.

 

[cyfa2809]

yeah the policys tend to follow the majoritys as their the revenue makers :cry:

 

[trickylad]

Anyone who thinks they should be ok riding around with headphones on in mixed traffic should have their bikes taken from them.

End of.

Hear Hear
(or not for them)8

 

[Akula]

Just try riding in Asia.

The availability of ipods and phones with music is making it much worse. We have cycle paths which are joint pedestrian / cycle type, and some which are cycles and blades, and a separate path for joggers. Problem is the faster joggers think they are fast enough to run on cycle path, and most of them have their ear buds in and music turned up. You have to be right behind them and shouting before they realise they are blocking you.

Also seen lots of people walking on the path just step out to cross side roads right in front of turning cars.

muppets

 

[Carge]

As concenration training, all cyclists should have to ride along Bournemouth seafront on a hot bank holiday weekend without crashing.
If the kids, dogs or diagonal walking pensioners dont get you, then you'll be distracted by the sheer volume of attractive young ladies in bikini's and be sure to hit something
Its ninja traing for cyclists, I tell thee!

And the Bournemouth RB Summer ride is going to be when exactly??

As far as I am concerned - I would not ride with headphones/music. I do this firstly cos I'm allergic to pain - and secondly, I have a wife & kids to provide for.
Personal choice of course - but given the way most car drivers "respect" bikes, I want all my senses fully functional.

 

[longun]

ride with headphones alot. never had any issues due to not having high volume levels. even had a few conversations with female racers atr mayhem.........dressed as a bear . imho i believe its down to the individual,some,like me are obviously sensible and are more aware of the surroundings and check everything,whilst others lack any awareness skills and are vulnerable.

gonna sit on the fence with regards to should/should not listen to music on the move,after all the motorbike driving lessons and test have radios in the helmets..........can it be that bad? discuss