What to do about ear bud users???
#1
de oranje
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What to do about ear bud users???
I am seeing more and more cyclists wearing ear buds. Those things are not safe to wear while riding. People who wear time while riding are irresponsible and domme idioten!!
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rig a cow-pusher to the front of your bike?
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Move up to the beginning of the line for darwin awards.
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OP, I think you presume too much. I wear buds so I can answer the Iphone when my wife calls me. Not every ear bud is blasting heavy metal music. I can still hear you.
I wear a glasses mirror and a hi vis vest so I can be aware of you and you can be aware of me without having to hear me. Do you do that?
I wear a glasses mirror and a hi vis vest so I can be aware of you and you can be aware of me without having to hear me. Do you do that?
#8
de oranje
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#9
de oranje
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aka Phil Jungels
It's illegal in Illinois, whenever on a public right of way.
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Most of the guys I see on ear buds are having to contend with an extra source of stimulation. And to some extent the volume of earpiece may affect general road sense.
At the end of the day - isn't cycling about getting away from it all and connecting with the environment? I don't run, bike, lift weights, sail, use power tools, or go underwater with ear / head phones. I want to be aware of what's around me.
At the end of the day - isn't cycling about getting away from it all and connecting with the environment? I don't run, bike, lift weights, sail, use power tools, or go underwater with ear / head phones. I want to be aware of what's around me.
#14
de oranje
Thread Starter
My hearing impaired friend was born deaf, he is much more aware of his surroundings and his own limitations. A cyclist who wears earbuds and listens to music or whatever, is distracted. Similar to a driver on a cellular phone.....
#17
de oranje
Thread Starter
..perfectly safe TO YOU. Listening to music with earbuds are not safe to your cycling brethren. More than a few times, I have called out the customary "on your left" and startled a fellow cyclist wearing earbuds who could not hear, or didnt listen.
#18
de oranje
Thread Starter
GP! Homeboy! Check this dude: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc27400.htm
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Here's some interesting science on how unreliable your ears are while cycling:
https://www.bikexprt.com/bicycle/hearing.htm
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You're absolutely right. If a car or faster biker happens to be coming up behind you just as you turn left into their path because you didn't hear their engine, bell, horn, or "on your left", it's their problem, and not yours. No reason for YOU to be aware of your surroundings...
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On a anecdotal note - when I ride in Central Park and try to talk to riders they typically have to 'unbud' in order to hear me at speed 12 -16 mph. This points to the fact that they can't hear amid the wind, slight road noise + minimal noise factors in Central Park. The quietest stretch being near the reservoir.
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I don't wear ear buds... myself. I am not hearing impaired now... but I am getting closer everyday. I don't know if my ability to pedal will outlast my ability to hear... at least most people in my environment. But for now... I ride on the edge of hearing abled.
I did bicycle with a Bluetooth earpiece once... paired with my phone. I was expecting/worried about a phone call and wanted to be sure I could answer. Most of the time when I am cycling... I stop to answer my mobile phone. But to be honest... I have bicycled and talked on the phone at the same time.
I sort of feel sorry for the guys in ear buds. I mean.... I've wondered at times... why isn't cycling enough for them? If cycling would be even better for me with a little (age appropriate) hard acid rock early 70's music blasting in my ears.... wouldn't maybe a beer, joint, or some recent drug of choice be even better?!?!?
In my case I think I'll pass on the ear buds... and the drugs. But to each their own. I'll take my chances sharing the roads, streets, and bicycle paths. And.... I think I'll keep discarding any fears that people normally experience when cycling in trafficked areas.
I did bicycle with a Bluetooth earpiece once... paired with my phone. I was expecting/worried about a phone call and wanted to be sure I could answer. Most of the time when I am cycling... I stop to answer my mobile phone. But to be honest... I have bicycled and talked on the phone at the same time.
I sort of feel sorry for the guys in ear buds. I mean.... I've wondered at times... why isn't cycling enough for them? If cycling would be even better for me with a little (age appropriate) hard acid rock early 70's music blasting in my ears.... wouldn't maybe a beer, joint, or some recent drug of choice be even better?!?!?
In my case I think I'll pass on the ear buds... and the drugs. But to each their own. I'll take my chances sharing the roads, streets, and bicycle paths. And.... I think I'll keep discarding any fears that people normally experience when cycling in trafficked areas.
#23
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GP! Homeboy! Check this dude: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc27400.htm
27400. A person operating a motor vehicle or bicycle may not wear a headset covering, or earplugs in, both ears.
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https://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc27400.htm
27400. A person operating a motor vehicle or bicycle may not wear a headset covering, or earplugs in, both ears. This prohibition does not apply to any of the following:
(a) A person operating authorized emergency vehicles, as defined in Section 165.
(b) A person engaged in the operation of either special construction equipment or equipment for use in the maintenance of any highway.
(c) A person engaged in the operation of refuse collection equipment who is wearing a safety headset or safety earplugs.
(d) A person wearing personal hearing protectors in the form of earplugs or molds that are specifically designed to attenuate injurious noise levels. The plugs or molds shall be designed in a manner so as to not inhibit the wearer's ability to hear a siren or horn from an emergency vehicle or a horn from another motor vehicle.
(e) A person using a prosthetic device that aids the hard of hearing.
(a) A person operating authorized emergency vehicles, as defined in Section 165.
(b) A person engaged in the operation of either special construction equipment or equipment for use in the maintenance of any highway.
(c) A person engaged in the operation of refuse collection equipment who is wearing a safety headset or safety earplugs.
(d) A person wearing personal hearing protectors in the form of earplugs or molds that are specifically designed to attenuate injurious noise levels. The plugs or molds shall be designed in a manner so as to not inhibit the wearer's ability to hear a siren or horn from an emergency vehicle or a horn from another motor vehicle.
(e) A person using a prosthetic device that aids the hard of hearing.