marzjennings
Legendary Member
- Location
- Houston, Texas, USA
[QUOTE 1901085, member: 45"]I know what you're trying to argue, and you know that it's not right. You've been given examples and you can think of others yourself.
Look, try taking the defensiveness out of it. You don't need to justify your headphone use to anyone. It's about acceptance of risk. It's ok to admit that there may be circumstances where being able to hear adds to your awareness, and that you're happy to accept this and continue wearing headphones. I listen to the radio in the car. There are times when having it switched off might help my awareness, I choose to accept that risk.[/quote]
Apologies for being so defensive, I guess I jumped on the position that the benefits of hearing traffic were clear and inarguable, I disagree that the argument or discussion on this subject is closed.
Hearing has helped me identify the source of clicking noises on my bike, helped me hear warnings from fellow riders during group rides and races, and of course alerted me to sirens of emergency vehicles (though still audible over music).
But general traffic noise I've never found a benefit in over 20 years of cycling and I will not admit that I accept a higher level of risk compared to the 'listening' cyclist. I do believe that the 'listening' cyclist is placing too much trust in a sense that is easily confused.
For every potential risk you hear, do you visually confirm the level of risk? Would you admit that each time you look away from your directional of travel you are being distracted by audible potential risks?
Look, try taking the defensiveness out of it. You don't need to justify your headphone use to anyone. It's about acceptance of risk. It's ok to admit that there may be circumstances where being able to hear adds to your awareness, and that you're happy to accept this and continue wearing headphones. I listen to the radio in the car. There are times when having it switched off might help my awareness, I choose to accept that risk.[/quote]
Apologies for being so defensive, I guess I jumped on the position that the benefits of hearing traffic were clear and inarguable, I disagree that the argument or discussion on this subject is closed.
Hearing has helped me identify the source of clicking noises on my bike, helped me hear warnings from fellow riders during group rides and races, and of course alerted me to sirens of emergency vehicles (though still audible over music).
But general traffic noise I've never found a benefit in over 20 years of cycling and I will not admit that I accept a higher level of risk compared to the 'listening' cyclist. I do believe that the 'listening' cyclist is placing too much trust in a sense that is easily confused.
For every potential risk you hear, do you visually confirm the level of risk? Would you admit that each time you look away from your directional of travel you are being distracted by audible potential risks?
