Road Cycling: ipod while riding?

To the few that have said that they do not wear a helmet when they ride, this is a very very bad idea.  Not wearing a helmet is not like not wearing a seat belt.  It is more like riding on the front bumper of a car.  Cars are hard and the concrete is harder.  This doesn't even take in the sun protection it provides to those of us who's hair isn't quite what it used to be.

On the subject of music while riding.  I like all the suggestions about the different speakers to attach to the bike etc.  I have to admit that I have used my ipod with ear buds while riding.  If I was in town and sharing a lane I at the very least took the left one out, when there is a shoulder to ride on I guess I didn't see the point.  I started rethinking this practice after I started riding with a buddy.  He and I often talk off and on, yell out our paces, shout encouragement etc, so I would turn it off or take them out during these times.  I really noticed how much more I heard and was aware of.  I still put them in sometimes, but I keep the volume down.  I am asking for that iride speaker thing for Christmas, thoug.

 Wear a helmet people.  If you have a spouse and kids you owe it to them.  A kid shouldn't grow up without a parent or with an impared parent because their mom or dad was too cool to wear a helmet. 

PS I think if you were really interested in wearing a helmet you could find one that fits your tiny head.

Im a proud MP3er. I ride with headset on as loud as i can take it. I understand its not for everybody. But thats part of the reason why i ride sunday and saturday mornings at 7am. No traffic.

I ride with headphones all the time.  In fact, having an hour (more now, but at the time...) to myself to listen to music was a significant factor in my transition from strictly commuting to riding recreationally.

My safety considerations?  I will only use on-ear headphones, no buds.  I have to be able to adjust the volume quickly and easily, without looking (controller on the cord, currently) -- volume goes way down, or off, when traffic goes up (I usually stay on low-traffic or bike-laned streets and avoid peak traffic hours).  I periodically make sure I can still hear my bike, in case I've upped the volume to much 'cause I really liked that last song.  Oh, and I have a mirror.

KWellborn:

 

PS I think if you were really interested in wearing a helmet you could find one that fits your tiny head.

 HA! Agreed.

Just curious,

 What is the difference between the sound of a car that IS going to hit you from behind and the sound of a car that IS NOT going to hit you from behind?

I also use an Ipod since you wont hear the car that hits you inless its a big desiel.  Also if we cant use headphones then cars shouldnt be allowed to have radios since they also do the same thing for them. The comment that you need all your senses is wrong if you ride over 18mph its going to be either a wind noise or music.  

I'm not going to have this argument though, do what you want. I have a feeling the level of safety people feel is largely influenced by the environment they're cycling in; Boston doesn't really lend itself to strong feelings of safety between the aggressive drivers and the suicidal jaywalkers.

True story though, dude I knew years ago when I was a messenger in Boston was lining up to turn into the Charlestown Navy Yard and heard a truck engine braking suspiciously close behind... takes a glance over his shoulder and sees a big rig setting up to make the same turn behind him, but gaining on him and with the trailer coming scary close. Last second the guy jumps off and the tail end of the trailer went right over his bike. Trucker didn't even stop.

Thankfully the next car coming along was a Mass State Trooper.

If you're going to listen to tunes while riding, just use common sense. I use my iPhone and earbuds most of the time when riding, but I also ride in BFE Indiana, and if I get passed by a vehicle, it's usually a loud truck, loud motorcycle, or really loud farm tractor. On the few rides were I do get into heavier traffic, the earbuds come out...COMMON SENSE!

 The two close calls I've had were when I was riding with my girlfriend, niether of us were wearing headphones, and it was just a stupid driver not giving us enough room. Having headphones in would not have made us any less safe. If you want to be completely safe while riding your bike, buy a stationary trainer and wrap your self in bubble-wrap.

Ah Ha Ha Ha!!! This forum is great...

1) No sanctioned events allow for earphones for music(USA Triathlon, USCF, NORBA, etc. races)

2) Most group rides don't permit earphones for safety reasons(wires in wheels, lack of communication with fellow cyclists and hearing vehicles). And just plain rude! Why go on a group ride with earphones on anyway. Talk to people and enjoy your ride, or just go ride by yourself.

3) Solo rides depend on what your ride is(downtown in a big city, a busy street, a country road, a bikepath, a mountain road, singletrack, a bike park, ski slope, etc.) Obviously depending on which one it is dictates the choice to have or not have music. Use 'common sense'.

I'm in my 21st year cycling: I work in the cycling industry as a Pro Fitter.

I've raced road & mountain, and have logged many a mile(over 75,000) with no music. I lead group rides. I advocate safe cycling and harmony with motorists. Now with that said...

I now ride(this year) my solo rides with music for enjoyment and hearing cars isn't an issue for me, so long as there's no busy traffic, then I take at least one out, if I have them on when coming into town or get more traffic.

I just think about all those hours on my bike and think how much enjoyable it is to have music help me pass the time.

Hope everyone stays safe and makes smart choices, keep riding. SR

 I ride solo so the walkman(yes for you young people out there thats what us old people 41 call an mp3 player) makes the ride so nice i have one that has a reg. fm radio i need the talk and all that comes with reg. fm radio as for the headphones i hate the earbuds i have reg. old style around the neck ones and i dont sit them on the ear i keep them a little in front so i hear the radio and everything else around me   i couldent ride with out it but to each there own as long as you enjoy your ride do your thing

 Pasquale 

I do ride with my iPod shuffle.  Right earplug in, left earplug out.  I can hear traffic fine.  I do ride at all times with a Giro helmet as well.  The shuffle clips onto the helmet strap and doesn't interfere with my riding.  I only ride solo, no group rides.  I am still researching, but I don't know of a law in NY state prohibiting one ear plug while cycling.