Ride with music or not? - Page 5

06-13-2004, 07:18 AM

"The Queen of Cans and Jars" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].. .
> Blue Gator <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> 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?
>
> it's illegal in some places, and for a good reason. you need to be able
> to hear what's going on around you.

It would be nice if the same philosophy were applied to rollerbladers. They are
a real hazard to cyclists because they generally can't hear anything over their
music.

06-13-2004, 08:18 AM

Depends on how you listen to it.

In many states, it is illegal to operate a vehicle (bicycle included) on
the streets while wearing headset or earphones. ANY type of headset ear
phone, even "open air". The argument being that it decreases the ability
to hear potential hazards, such as traffic A single ear plug (one ear)
is OK in some of these states.

Yeah, I know. That makes a lot of sense in these days of automobiles
that are advertized to be so well sound proofed they can practically
silence a jackhammer right outside the car, and that which makes it
through can be easily overridden by the gazillion watt sound system that
comes standard! BUT, the law's the law. I actually stumped an El Lay
city police chief who had come to give a talk on cycling safety at a
club meeting with that one! LOL

SO - what I did for my commuting bike was to buy a couple of battery
amplified speakers (Radio Shack) and tuck them into a handlebar bag (I
use the side pockets, so the rest of the bag is still useable). Hook up
the walkman or mp3 player and boogie on down the road, as legal as can
be. They are a lot more comfortable than trying to get a headset under a
h****t, too.

- -

"May you have the wind at your back.
And a really low gear for the hills!"

Chris Zacho ~ "Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

Chris'Z Corner
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

06-13-2004, 08:18 AM

Depends on how you listen to it.

In many states, it is illegal to operate a vehicle (bicycle included) on
the streets while wearing headset or earphones. ANY type of headset ear
phone, even "open air". The argument being that it decreases the ability
to hear potential hazards, such as traffic A single ear plug (one ear)
is OK in some of these states.

Yeah, I know. That makes a lot of sense in these days of automobiles
that are advertized to be so well sound proofed they can practically
silence a jackhammer right outside the car, and that which makes it
through can be easily overridden by the gazillion watt sound system that
comes standard! BUT, the law's the law. I actually stumped an El Lay
city police chief who had come to give a talk on cycling safety at a
club meeting with that one! LOL

SO - what I did for my commuting bike was to buy a couple of battery
amplified speakers (Radio Shack) and tuck them into a handlebar bag (I
use the side pockets, so the rest of the bag is still useable). Hook up
the walkman or mp3 player and boogie on down the road, as legal as can
be. They are a lot more comfortable than trying to get a headset under a
h****t, too.

- -

"May you have the wind at your back.
And a really low gear for the hills!"

Chris Zacho ~ "Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

Chris'Z Corner
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

06-13-2004, 08:18 AM

Depends on how you listen to it.

In many states, it is illegal to operate a vehicle (bicycle included) on
the streets while wearing headset or earphones. ANY type of headset ear
phone, even "open air". The argument being that it decreases the ability
to hear potential hazards, such as traffic A single ear plug (one ear)
is OK in some of these states.

Yeah, I know. That makes a lot of sense in these days of automobiles
that are advertized to be so well sound proofed they can practically
silence a jackhammer right outside the car, and that which makes it
through can be easily overridden by the gazillion watt sound system that
comes standard! BUT, the law's the law. I actually stumped an El Lay
city police chief who had come to give a talk on cycling safety at a
club meeting with that one! LOL

SO - what I did for my commuting bike was to buy a couple of battery
amplified speakers (Radio Shack) and tuck them into a handlebar bag (I
use the side pockets, so the rest of the bag is still useable). Hook up
the walkman or mp3 player and boogie on down the road, as legal as can
be. They are a lot more comfortable than trying to get a headset under a
h****t, too.

- -

"May you have the wind at your back.
And a really low gear for the hills!"

Chris Zacho ~ "Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

Chris'Z Corner
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

06-13-2004, 08:18 AM

Depends on how you listen to it.

In many states, it is illegal to operate a vehicle (bicycle included) on
the streets while wearing headset or earphones. ANY type of headset ear
phone, even "open air". The argument being that it decreases the ability
to hear potential hazards, such as traffic A single ear plug (one ear)
is OK in some of these states.

Yeah, I know. That makes a lot of sense in these days of automobiles
that are advertized to be so well sound proofed they can practically
silence a jackhammer right outside the car, and that which makes it
through can be easily overridden by the gazillion watt sound system that
comes standard! BUT, the law's the law. I actually stumped an El Lay
city police chief who had come to give a talk on cycling safety at a
club meeting with that one! LOL

SO - what I did for my commuting bike was to buy a couple of battery
amplified speakers (Radio Shack) and tuck them into a handlebar bag (I
use the side pockets, so the rest of the bag is still useable). Hook up
the walkman or mp3 player and boogie on down the road, as legal as can
be. They are a lot more comfortable than trying to get a headset under a
h****t, too.

- -

"May you have the wind at your back.
And a really low gear for the hills!"

Chris Zacho ~ "Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

Chris'Z Corner
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

06-13-2004, 08:18 AM

Depends on how you listen to it.

In many states, it is illegal to operate a vehicle (bicycle included) on
the streets while wearing headset or earphones. ANY type of headset ear
phone, even "open air". The argument being that it decreases the ability
to hear potential hazards, such as traffic A single ear plug (one ear)
is OK in some of these states.

Yeah, I know. That makes a lot of sense in these days of automobiles
that are advertized to be so well sound proofed they can practically
silence a jackhammer right outside the car, and that which makes it
through can be easily overridden by the gazillion watt sound system that
comes standard! BUT, the law's the law. I actually stumped an El Lay
city police chief who had come to give a talk on cycling safety at a
club meeting with that one! LOL

SO - what I did for my commuting bike was to buy a couple of battery
amplified speakers (Radio Shack) and tuck them into a handlebar bag (I
use the side pockets, so the rest of the bag is still useable). Hook up
the walkman or mp3 player and boogie on down the road, as legal as can
be. They are a lot more comfortable than trying to get a headset under a
h****t, too.

- -

"May you have the wind at your back.
And a really low gear for the hills!"

Chris Zacho ~ "Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

Chris'Z Corner
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

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

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

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

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.