On the 10-year anniversary of the iPod, how has this gadget influenced your car-free commute?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by John Greenfield on October 25, 2011 at 12:41pm

I also feel unsafe biking in an urban area while listening an iPod on earbuds - too hard to concentrate on traffic and navigation. On the other hand, when I'm bike touring on rural roads I feel pretty comfortable listening to music on an iPod. It's so quiet I figure I'll hear any traffic coming from behind. Sure makes long, boring, flat stretches and climbing mountains at 5 MPH less of a chore.

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on October 25, 2011 at 2:01pm

I would never bike with earphones of any sort. I don't feel safe walking with them either . . .

but there is almost nothing I enjoy more than riding the bus and listening to music.

I have several 1-hour bus trips a week that are completely saved by music.

I'm a big fan of the iPod Nano because it's so complete yet so small-- I've had 2 first gens, 2 3rd gens, and 2 5th gens-- I've based my purchasing decisions largely on the availability of a lanyard-style headphone that allows me to wear the 'pod under my jacket or shirt like a necklace.

I imagine I'd probably be using a phone to listen to music if I didn't have Nanos-- but would phones include MP3 players if the iPod hadn't happened?

Permalink Reply by Carl on October 25, 2011 at 4:12pm

Well, I can say it's been invaluable when flying on planes (which I hate) and on Megabus and Amtrak. I used to drive those trips years ago, but since I take transit for those now, I really needed a boredom-buster. I've even shared an earbud with my girlfriend when listening to audiobooks or podcasts.

 

The ipod doesn't really figure into my commute, since it's illegal to use headphones in traffic (even on a bike). And I prefer reading on the El, and I can't read and listen at the same time.

And frankly, I love people-watching so much, that I never feel like 'tuning out' on the train.

Permalink Reply by Steven Vance on October 25, 2011 at 8:34pm

Lawyer Brendan Kevenides says wearing headphones while biking is not illegal. 

http://www.mybikeadvocate.com/2009/11/headphones-are-legal-but-not-...

And the 2011 Chicago Bike Map no longer says it's illegal. (Previous versions did.)

http://chicagobikemap.com/communicating.html (pre-2011)

Carl said:

The ipod doesn't really figure into my commute, since it's illegal to use headphones in traffic (even on a bike). And I prefer reading on the El, and I can't read and listen at the same time.

And frankly, I love people-watching so much, that I never feel like 'tuning out' on the train.

Permalink Reply by Mike Bullis 5.5-6.5 miles on October 25, 2011 at 9:03pm

How has my ipod changed my commute? Not at all. I downloaded a bunch of cds and podcasts into it when I got it and placed it on my dresser 5 years ago. Ain't touched it since.

Permalink Reply by Steven Vance on October 26, 2011 at 1:11am

Haha. 

Did you do the same for your Walkman 15 years ago, leave it on the dresser?

Mike Bullis said:

How has my ipod changed my commute? Not at all. I downloaded a bunch of cds and podcasts into it when I got it and placed it on my dresser 5 years ago. Ain't touched it since.

Permalink Reply by Carl on October 26, 2011 at 8:22am

That's actually quite disturbing..... I most certainly should be.

Steven Vance said:

Lawyer Brendan Kevenides says wearing headphones while biking is not illegal. 

http://www.mybikeadvocate.com/2009/11/headphones-are-legal-but-not-...

And the 2011 Chicago Bike Map no longer says it's illegal. (Previous versions did.)

http://chicagobikemap.com/communicating.html (pre-2011)

Carl said:

The ipod doesn't really figure into my commute, since it's illegal to use headphones in traffic (even on a bike). And I prefer reading on the El, and I can't read and listen at the same time.

And frankly, I love people-watching so much, that I never feel like 'tuning out' on the train.

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on October 26, 2011 at 8:34am

Then it should also be illegal for hearing-impaired people to ride a bike.

Carl said:

That's actually quite disturbing..... I most certainly should be.

Steven Vance said:

Lawyer Brendan Kevenides says wearing headphones while biking is not illegal. 

http://www.mybikeadvocate.com/2009/11/headphones-are-legal-but-not-...

And the 2011 Chicago Bike Map no longer says it's illegal. (Previous versions did.)

http://chicagobikemap.com/communicating.html (pre-2011)

Permalink Reply by Mark on October 26, 2011 at 8:41am

The iPod has made runners oblivious to having  "On your left" screamed at them 4 times with no visible response until they pull their blind U-turn.

Permalink Reply by S.Presley☠ on October 26, 2011 at 9:37am

Like the CD that replaced my cassette tapes...Now with the Ipod, I no longer own any "hard copies" of my music.