Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by John Greenfield on October 25, 2011 at 6:41am

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 Carl on October 25, 2011 at 10:12am

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 2:34pm

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 3:03pm

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 25, 2011 at 7:11pm

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 2:22am

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 2:34am

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 2:41am

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 3:37am

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