Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More - View Single Post

06-13-2004, 08:19 AM

On Sun, 13 Jun 2004 14:43:56 +0000, John Thompson wrote:

> On 2004-06-13, Blue Gator <blue_gator@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>> This has probably been discussed before, but please forgive me for asking
>> since I'm new to the group.
>>
>> I'm thinking about getting a mp3 player to listen to on long rides. Good
>> Idea or Bad Idea?
>
> Check your local laws. In many areas it is illegal to operate a vehicle
> on the road while wearing headphones.

Illegal and stupid--when I'm out on the dedicated bike paths around here,
the no. 1 threat to safety are these devices. I've got a "micro" bell on
my racer and if you can't hear it or me yelling "I need to pass" then
there's a serious problem. I think they're fine for runners and joggers
who don't weave around and don't go as fast as cyclists and bladers. BTW,
they are illegal here, so when folks get miffed at me for yelling at them
to pass, I can just calmly remind them of the law...

What you need is one of those cool handlebar radios like they used to sell
at Radio Shack. Alternately, I think that there are helmets with built in
speakers that don't cover your ears, but it seems this is getting close to
headphone territory.

Personally, I like the sound of my tires and drivetrain, plus I'm a
friction shifting retrogrouch so my ears are the "index".

Try singing while riding--I do at times--it keeps you very safe. Other
folks will just think you're nuts.

06-13-2004, 08:19 AM	#49 (permalink)
maxo Posts: n/a	Re: Ride with music or not? On Sun, 13 Jun 2004 14:43:56 +0000, John Thompson wrote: > On 2004-06-13, Blue Gator <blue_gator@comcast.net> wrote: > >> This has probably been discussed before, but please forgive me for asking >> since I'm new to the group. >> >> I'm thinking about getting a mp3 player to listen to on long rides. Good >> Idea or Bad Idea? > > Check your local laws. In many areas it is illegal to operate a vehicle > on the road while wearing headphones. Illegal and stupid--when I'm out on the dedicated bike paths around here, the no. 1 threat to safety are these devices. I've got a "micro" bell on my racer and if you can't hear it or me yelling "I need to pass" then there's a serious problem. I think they're fine for runners and joggers who don't weave around and don't go as fast as cyclists and bladers. BTW, they are illegal here, so when folks get miffed at me for yelling at them to pass, I can just calmly remind them of the law... What you need is one of those cool handlebar radios like they used to sell at Radio Shack. Alternately, I think that there are helmets with built in speakers that don't cover your ears, but it seems this is getting close to headphone territory. Personally, I like the sound of my tires and drivetrain, plus I'm a friction shifting retrogrouch so my ears are the "index". Try singing while riding--I do at times--it keeps you very safe. Other folks will just think you're nuts.