Music On The Bike

I don't think it wise to bike and listen to headphones or earplugs - I feel we really need to pay attention to our environment to bike safely with the already dangerous odds stacked against us.  However, there are times I'd find it enjoyable to listen to music when biking through the park, on small roads, or on bike lanes, when I don't think having music available will seriously jeopardize my attention - but what do you think?  I was thinking of attaching speakers somewhere on my bike (maybe on the handlebars), but if it becomes a major pain in the tuchus to attach or manage I won't.  Also, while car driving using Bluetooth is still legal, I think studies have shown that even that lowers drivers' attention and ability to drive safely, as much as talking to passengers does - we just can't do more than one thing at a time well.  What are your thoughts on music while biking?  What have you done?

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Permalink Reply by WillG on June 25, 2013 at 6:46am

There isn't much emotion involved when one points out that eliminating or impairing one of your sense while riding a bike on a road shared with motor vehicles probably isn't a good idea.


Evan said:

Your opinion and that is fine but understand that this an emotional response and not a scientific argument.

Andy J said:

Something about being on the street and having your hearing compromised just doesn't "sound" right to me - regardless if the music is coming from an earbud or boom box, if it keeps you from (or delays) hearing that hulk of metal, plastic, and petrol hurdling toward your toothpick-thin conveyance, the difference can be life or death.

On a trail? Maybe, but I'm sure many will argue otherwise, and definitely not my cup of tea.

Permalink Reply by yai danche on June 25, 2013 at 6:55am

I will try out the inner tube solution. I would hit a pothole and it would pause or stop a song.  The problem could be the actual iPod, the hold button stopped working and the thing is pretty old.  In terms of whether listening to music is a good idea or bad idea, we could all argue till we're blue in the face.  It's like the whole helmet debate.  Even with my music playing, I've never had a car sneak up on me only other cyclists.  I used to startle people all the time on my old singlespeed which made no chain noise whatsoever.  There's an unmistakable whoosh that one can hear when a car is approaching at 30 mph.  

Steven Vance said:

If I don't have it in my basket, I use a bicycle tube to wrap it to my stem really well and even with the vibrations, it works well. 

Permalink Reply by Seancarl on June 25, 2013 at 11:32am

These look like they would work.

http://boombotix.com/

Permalink Reply by WillG on June 25, 2013 at 12:23pm
Gee, you're sure being reasonable here...

How about this. As another cyclist goes to pass you they call out "On your left." You have your Beats by Dr. Dre on and don't hear it. Now, with another cyclist passing on your left, which you are unaware of as a result of your Beats, you serve slightly left for any number of reasons (something in road, the beat is real fresh and you want to bike dance, etc.) and force the other cyclist into traffic.

Look, you don't need to get you undies in a bundle because there are people on this board that feel compromising one of your senses while riding it a bad idea. If you want to wear headphones, then wear headphones, but stop with this scientific research nonsense in an attempt to justify what is widely considered an awful idea. I wouldn't care if it was just yourself you were putting in danger with your stupid headphones, but you also put other cyclists in danger as I pointed out in the example above.


Also, no one here has said that riding with your headphones seems like a bad idea, we've pointed out the FACT that it compromises your ability to hear traffic and other riders. It's clear that you don't think that matters.





Evan said:
Little emotion, zero science. Most people use the same argument about even riding in the street. "It doesn't seem safe".

Should people with tinnitus (me) not ride bikes at all? How about deaf people?

What if you can't smell? That's a sense. Should you not ride a bike then?

Please explain the danger noises and exactly how to react to them. Consider wind noise, direction decibel measurements, accuracy of sound detection based on direction and ambient noise related to the average human and be sure to include rates of speed and timing.

At least I'm willing to listen to a fair argument. I can't accept the same dogmatic grumble. It "seems wrong" is not a scientific argument.

Reply by Will G - 10mi 3 hours ago
There isn't much emotion involved when one points out that eliminating or impairing one of your sense while riding a bike on a road shared with motor vehicles probably isn't a good idea.



Permalink Reply by We all have an inner Beast... on June 26, 2013 at 4:32am

I think that I just found a new addition to my Beast !

Thunder Snow said:

This seems like an interesting design: a handlebar bag that holds your stuff (wallet, keys, sunblock), mounts your phone for music control, contains a 12-volt amp & speakers and lifts off the bracket when you lock up.  Audible Rush Jam-Pac Premium Plus even recharges your phone as you ride.  About $200.  Cool.

https://www.audiblerush.com/

Permalink Reply by We all have an inner Beast... on June 26, 2013 at 4:33am

Funny Zombie video...LOL !!

NCP said:

These might be an ideal middle ground: http://www.aftershokz.com/ 

Music, but your ears are completely open to hear anything. My preference is no music on the roads but maybe on the trails. 

Permalink Reply by We all have an inner Beast... on June 26, 2013 at 5:38am

....(adding fuel to the fire)....

How is listening to music on headphones while riding any different than texting while riding? Or talking to a fellow rider while riding? Or paying attention to the slowly deflating back tire that you are trying to check out while you are riding? Or riding drunk/"high"?

How is it any different than ppl in cars jamming away to their tunes that are so loud that they can be heard a block away? Or ppl driving while texting? Or driving drunk? Driving "high"? Or talking to others within their vehicle while driving? Or eating while driving? Putting on make-up while driving? Reading a newspaper/magazine/book while driving?

 

All of these examples impair our ability to ride/drive safely. (Can I get an AMEN ! from the choir !?)

However, it doesn't stop the other rider/driver from doing them.

The guy/girl playing air guitar/drums to their favorite song (guilty as charged) has something else on their mind while they are driving/riding. I sometimes (this morning for example) have a tune that gets stuck in my head for an extended period of time, and BOOM I am coming to my first turn of my ten mile ride in to work (about 5.5 miles in).

We are all guilty of losing our awareness "momentarily". We can not stay hyper-vigilant during say, a 100 mile bike ride. It is probably impossible to stay in that frame of mind 100% of the time. I know that it is unhealthy (at least that is what my VA counselors/doctors have told me, thanks to my PTSD).

The thing that I am trying to pass along to everyone, is that you can listen to your music (probably at a lower volume than they play at the ___________ <---- insert name of your favorite club/bar/concert venue/etc.) and just pay closer attention to your surroundings. Afterall, you are not waiting for the enemy to sneak up on you in some far off land. Just use some common sense. I know that it is sometimes lacking within our society these days, but still...

I know that I will be getting that Audible Rush Jam Pac and mounting it to my Beast soon, to make my 25+/- minute ride less boring (as well as my longer weekend rides with my friends). I will have to take into account the added wind resistance of that item, and plan my trips accordingly. I will try to keep the volume down to a low roar, except for Critical Masses and such.

I hope that I haven't made anyone mad or cry.....if I have...too bad. Get over it !

 

 

Respectfully,

 

Manny

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on June 26, 2013 at 6:10am

When riding a bike in city streets, it is important to be aware of one's surroundings using senses (sight and hearing). Knowingly disabling half of those vital senses is negligent at best and deadly at worst. You can't always see the car/SUV/truck coming from behind you, but you can sure as hell hear it.

Permalink Reply by We all have an inner Beast... on June 26, 2013 at 4:47pm
Buy a mirror so you can see behind you !
If there is a strong headwind, you may not be able to hear the vehicle coming up behind you.
Especially if it's one of those electric or hybrid cars. They don't make that much noise to begin with.
Point being, become more vigilant during your rides...whether you are wearing headphones or listening to speakers.
You must use the most important sense of them all....common sense. If you can't handle listening to music (headphones or not) then get off your bike and walk.
And if you are only listening and watching out for the vehicles behind you, you might not see the moron with his car stereo blasting that is suddenly pulling out of a driveway or parking lot.
By the way, do you wear a helmet, wear high-vis clothing, have lights on during low visibilty conditions?
No?
Well, you know the rest....

Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

When riding a bike in city streets, it is important to be aware of one's surroundings using senses (sight and hearing). Knowingly disabling half of those vital senses is negligent at best and deadly at worst. You can't always see the car/SUV/truck coming from behind you, but you can sure as hell hear it.

Permalink Reply by Thedutchtouch on June 26, 2013 at 7:25pm

i own a jawbone jambox. it's small, loud (for the size), and wireless (bluetooth).  I've never had it on the bike but it's definitely audible from inside a bag, and is controlled by my iphone.  sounds like any of the various bluetooth portable speakers would solve this problem.  in fact, when i get around to building my bike rack (25 ish projects from now so, you know, 2016), i might just make a little compartment that the jambox fits right into.

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