Walkman? WALKMAN!

[hairygrump]

If I see you riding your bike in Minneapolis and you are wearing a Walkman, blissfully ignorant to the world around you, is it wrong of me to blow by you fast and close?

I mean, there are times when I don't like to wear a helmet because it interferes with my hearing. How do you know when a car is coming up behind you? How do you know if there's a bike passing you on the left really close and fast? Is there anyone in your immediate vicinity that you're not endangering by riding like this?

I mean, hell. I like music. Are there really people who just CAN'T be without it?

[Rotifer]

No one passes me. :D I like to jam along to my minidisk player, it doesn't hinder my awareness in the least. I am also a little paranoid, though, and constantly alert to anything going on around me. Remember Mike Singletary's eyes? That's me.

[hairygrump]

Remember Mike Singletary's eyes? That's me.

Geez. Good answer.

I guess we all maintain situational awareness differently. My eyes only very rarely stray much past 20 or 30 degrees to either side (except to check a lane when I change one or something, natch).

Anybody gauge traffic by road vibration alone? Any synesthetics in the house?

[una-velocidad]

knock the shat out of him.

[NDSPEED]

now imagine me when i see another motorycyclist doing 100mph wiht no protective gear including a helmet wearing listening to a walkman.

that disturbs me. but i dont know about the bike part i ride on the dirt only. mytires werent made for the road

[wooglin-at-home]

Originally posted by hairygrump
If I see you riding your bike in Minneapolis and you are wearing a Walkman, blissfully ignorant to the world around you, is it wrong of me to blow by you fast and close?

No. Blow his or her doors off. Its not just the law, its a good idea.

[Rotifer]

One thing that I tend to forget when arguing about wearing headphones while riding is that many of you guys live in areas with significantly more traffic. Where I to be dropped into the middle of Minneapolis with headphones on it would be terrifying. I live in a town of 35,000 with singletrack and fireroads within a mile.

[steevo]

i occasionally ride with a walkman, 1 earphone in, and one down the back of my shirt (left out ont he right side of the road.)

the last time i rode with 2 earphones in was pedaling across ND and the headwinds were so strong i couldnt hear the person behind me yelling to me.

i worked with couriers who wore 2 headphones all day in the city. i guess if there are def cyclists, why not stupid ones?

[Andy in Wi]

Hearing is crucial. Being outside of vehicles affords you more manueverability but with less armor. Flooding hearing with music, while entertaining, seems not such a great idea. My friend gave up her walkman after getting hit by cars 6 times in Chicago.
If you must have music, try using the old portable boom box and duct tape.

[SSCYCO]

I still don't get it - I've been riding in traffic for 8 years. I've been listening to music for 6 of those years. One thing I think most don’t realize is that these new fangled music machines have volume controls. While riding and listening to music I can still hear everything that is going on around me – If I pass another rider and he/she says “hi” in a normal speaking voice I can hear it. If there are dogs barking, birds singing, cars honking I can hear it. I’ve heard the argument for eons that “its just not safe, you can’t have full concentration, it’s rude to other riders” – I say “screw you guys, I’m going for a ride” (with my headphones). As far as zooming past me real close – you can try, but that’s about a far as you’d get.

[Anon]

Originally posted by SSCYCO
....While riding and listening to music I can still hear everything that is going on around me....“its just not safe, you can’t have full concentration, it’s rude to other riders” – I say “screw you guys, I’m going for a ride” (with my headphones). As far as zooming past me real close – you can try, but that’s about a far as you’d get.

Ditto.

On my route, the cars go by me so fast that I don't hear them until they're passing me. So I've grown accustomed to checking over the shoulder. With or without headphones, I'm never gonna know what hit me, so why not be entertained during my last moments on earth. :D

I even occasionally ride dirt with headphones. KCMU is my station of choice. Some of the shows serve as a sound track to an otherwise dull ride on the city noodler. Don't knock it till you've tried it.

[The Gordo]

I don't wear my helmet very often at all. I ride mostly urban, but stick to the places cars can't drive... the terrain is endless and the curbs are tall. I think it's foolish and dangerous to ride with earphones. Then again, some of you think it foolish and dangerous to ride with no helmet. As I beleive in maximum freedom with as little interferance as possible from other people, I say ride however you like. But you won't catch me in headphones....

Shinguards, gloves and no helmet......

[Rotifer]

Shinguards, gloves and no helmet......
I'm with you there. I can be happy if I forget my helmet and music ... but shades (clear at night) and gloves? No way.