Cyclists and headphones.

[green1]

Do they stiill teach "mirror, signal, manoeuvre"? It's the same on a bike - except that it's "look, signal, manoeuvre".

If you stick your arm out without making sure that it's safe to do so - that's your problem.

I was fully aware they were there, that's why i said if.

 

[Saluki]

I ride with them in, I find music helps me keep a tempo. I have the music pretty low so i can still hear traffic and find that i can hear more of whats going on around me as they remove wind noise. Each to their own and all that.

Me too. Not all the time, but sometimes. I listen with one ear thingy in, generally the left ear. Only quietly so I can hear traffic very well, I can even hear the sound of my bike travelling over the tarmac.
My headphones were a Godsend on Saturday. I put them in after about 48 miles and the thought of being able to turn off 70's big hair rock as soon as I finished the ride, spurred me on

 

[Andy84]

Are deaf people allowed to ride on the road?

 

[marzjennings]

Been wearing headphones off and on for thirty years.
Never wear a helmet.
Never been hit by a car.
If you don't notice a couple of tonnes of metal, then being able to hear isn't going to save your bacon.
Honestly, it's one of the more pointless topics out there...

Not too similar for me.

Been wearing headphones off and on for about 25 years
Almost always wear a helmet
Been hit twice (both when without helmet or headphones)
If you don't notice a couple of tonnes of metal, then being able to hear isn't going to save your bacon.
Honestly, it's one of the more pointless topics out there..

 

[smokeysmoo]

Are deaf people allowed to ride on the road?

Pardon?

 

[StuartG]

Yes it is because I have a deaf daughter that I am somewhat sensitive on this issue. Despite her compensatory more highly developed visual skills than you or I she knows and I have to agree she is at a disadvantage of being aware of danger.

People who think 'looking over your shoulder' is a complete solution are deluding themselves. Building a picture of what is around you is always incomplete. You try hard but if there is something dodgy ahead you may need to forgo the glance back. And any lifesaver should be to confirm what you already think is there. Goodness me the state of the road, watching for and dodging potholes can almost be a full time activity.

That's why, unless you don't have one, it is unwise to rely on one sense alone. There may be no time for that lifesaver. Which may leave you, and the person behind ...

 

[Hip Priest]

Safety considerations aside, I'm not sure why people feel the need to be entertained at every moment of every day.

 

[Boris Bajic]

Safety considerations aside, I'm not sure why people feel the need to be entertained at every moment of every day.

I once saw a documentary in which a long-suffering father and monarch was asked to explain why something (in his case a military escort) was needed. His reply, caught on camera, amused me:

He said: "Oh, reason not the need. Our basest beggars are in the poorest things superfuous. Allow not nature more than nature needs."

Although the poor chap (who was the main subject of this documentary) was clearly in some way mentally unwell, I thought the point a good one and I thought he made it well.

For the record, I use an MP3 player (left ear only) on some rural rides. I am not a monarch.

 

[Glow worm]

Safety considerations aside, I'm not sure why people feel the need to be entertained at every moment of every day.

I'm not sure you could call much of my music collection 'entertainment'!

 

[Theseus]

I once saw a documentary in which a long-suffering father and monarch was asked to explain why something (in his case a military escort) was needed. His reply, caught on camera, amused me:

He said: "Oh, reason not the need. Our basest beggars are in the poorest things superfuous. Allow not nature more than nature needs."

Although the poor chap (who was the main subject of this documentary) was clearly in some way mentally unwell, I thought the point a good one and I thought he made it well.

For the record, I use an MP3 player (left ear only) on some rural rides. I am not a monarch.

I would be a bit leary of any claims from madmen cast into the raging night.

 

[mickle]

What a load of sh!t I cannot think of a single situation where being able to hear what's going on outsde of my field of vision would have any influence on my behaviour on the road. Anyone who says they can tell the trajectory of a vehicle from the sound of it approaching from the rear by is a liar.

 

[mickle]

[QUOTE 2049457, member: 45"]Do your lanes not have bends?[/quote]
Explain how sound influences the way you ride.

 

[Bromptonaut]

What a load of sh!t I cannot think of a single situation where being able to hear what's going on outsde of my field of vision would have any influence on my behaviour on the road. Anyone who says they can tell the trajectory of a vehicle from the sound of it approaching from the rear by is a liar.

Hmmm!

Two assertions there. As to the first in London, and that may be significant, being able to hear emergency vehicles and the whistles of VIP escorts, for example, often gives me clues on activity outwith my field of vision. The engine note of a vehicle behind gives significant clues as to driver's observation and attitude. It's exact trajectory may need visual confirmation but hearing is advance notice of the clueless close pass merchant.

 

[mickle]

Hmmm!

Two assertions there. As to the first in London, and that may be significant, being able to hear emergency vehicles and the whistles of VIP escorts, for example, often gives me clues on activity outwith my field of vision. The engine note of a vehicle behind gives significant clues as to driver's observation and attitude. It's exact trajectory may need visual confirmation but hearing is advance notice of the clueless close pass merchant.

Ive yet to try a set of ear phones capable of blocking the sound of a siren.
As someone who habitually wears fones im genuinely interested to know - how does your behaviour change in response to audible signals. Seriously. What do people do?

 

[mickle]

[QUOTE 2049574, member: 45"]Sound info gives me another consideration when assessing the risk of my cycling. I've given clear examples before. I'd prefer not to be missing any information that's available to me.

It's all about accepted level of risk. If I can hear something, like a chavmobile hurtling in my direction from around a bend on a lane, then I'm better prepared.[/quote]
I'm interested to know how your behaviour changes in response to audible stimuli.