http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/story/2011/07/13/montreal-bike-ea...
Article about police handing out warnings to cyclists wearing headphones. I used to ride with headphones when I first started riding. Then I realized how incredibly dangerous it can be.
I liked how the cyclist in the article doesn't freak out or start complaining. It's a law, it makes sense, he accepts it.
Interesting concepts.
Submitted by BCDon on
I think it would be more important to use this bylaw for pathway and sidewalk users seeing as some want to crank up the volume and can't hear bells.
When I read he things that cyclists can't do, I began to think of things they can do. For example, they can filter up between lanes of cars IF the cars are not moving (like at a red light I'd imagine). I guess you have to stop immediately, between the rows of cars and stand there if they start moving.
disagree
Submitted by mikewarren on
Unless you have the volume waaay too loud, you can still hear anything "important" like honks, bells, passing cars, etcetera and on highway-ish roads, it doesn't really matter -- you have to look. If I'm listening to music, I usually ride with only the right one in if I'm in the City.
(Besides, if it's dangerous for cyclists to use headphones isn't it dangerous for drivers to be blasting their stereo?)
I mostly agree on the pathway, though, for another reason too: I often presume anyone ahead with headphones on can't hear me at all so I usually don't bother with a warning.
I agree with your disagree
Submitted by fastlayne on
I wear headphones, low enough volume that I can hear my rubber on the road.
While I agree, I don't do it
Submitted by BCDon on
Having worn headphones (earbuds) in the past I agree that you "can" keep the volume low enough. But when I ride by people and can hear their headphones, it is just too loud. While I don't listen to earphones when cycling, I do when riding a motorbike or else wear earplugs.
better yet
Submitted by mikewarren on
My favourite headphones for riding died, they were ancient sony "sport" walkman over-the-head style things with a slim metal band. With these, one can pull the phones out of one's ears and have them in front a little so you get all the benefits of wind noise and traffic noise as well...