Traffic noise while riding.

[Wayners]

I try to listen to music or a podcast on my commute but it's not working out.
Even on full volume I can't hear much with the traffic noise. Tried a few different bluetooth buds but no good, and when I get to a point where the traffic noise decreases the volume is too loud.
I just don't bother.
Also for safety I don't think its a good Idea.
Anyone listen to music while riding?
Just curious.
I'm also thinking of ear plugs. The queue of traffic I pass is very loud. Something I've never noticed before, but I never walked or rode past rush hour traffic.

 

[StuartsProjects]

Also for safety I don't think its a good Idea.

Really ?????

However if you insist, maybe listen to the 'Funeral March' on repeat.

 

[Wayners]

I have recently been over the handlebars.
Before that hit a steel post ripping off my peddle arm off.
Next time could be my last.
Ha

 

[sjpt]

I suggest a fully isolating VR headset.

 

[Ghost1951]

Everyone is different, but I want FULL access to information about the world around me when ever I am riding. I think hearing what is going on as an important part of that. In another thread, someone was mocking 'stupid' pedestrians on shared ped/cycle paths wandering about with earbuds in and oblivious to their approach on a bike.... How is this proposal any different to that? Nature evolved ears not for entertainment and diversion, but so you could be aware of dangerous things approaching. I reckon rumbling trucks and heavy cars pretty much fit the bill.

 

[thelarkbox]

Fwiw I can not cope with internal ear plugs i have yet to try one i can handle for longer than 10 seconds, consiquently i use an old pair of sony hook on the ear -phones.. corded unfortunately, but with the bonus that they do not drown out ambient noise at all ( volume level depending)

 

[Voltsnamps]

When I was a child, we were taught to be considerate to the blind,deaf and of course, mentally impaired. I still am but today I think I got the hattrick.
Bloke on hub drive, fat and not really in control, earphones on, loud us fk, phone out , texting, coming towards me,from 300 yards I was stationary and ready, just nudged his front wheel with mine, down like a ton of bricks
Was I wrong?
All the rules in the world cannot save us from the phone zombies so taking a few out helps, score on here might be fun

 

[saneagle]

When I was a child, we were taught to be considerate to the blind,deaf and of course, mentally impaired. I still am but today I think I got the hattrick.
Bloke on hub drive, fat and not really in control, earphones on, loud us fk, phone out , texting, coming towards me,from 300 yards I was stationary and ready, just nudged his front wheel with mine, down like a ton of bricks
Was I wrong?
All the rules in the world cannot save us from the phone zombies so taking a few out helps, score on here might be fun

I think we know that guy. He's a friend of Guerney.

 

[Ghost1951]

I think we know that guy. He's a friend of Guerney.

I thought it was Guerney himself, until I remembered that he like me has the good taste to have a crank drive.

 

[guerney]

I enjoy gardening to music, helps to have a rhythm digging and hoeing etc. I'm certain the plants enjoy the huge classical collection I have squeezed into my phone - bluetooth Vamp amp connected to two satellite speakers is pretty loud...

https://www.thevamp.co.uk

...and for a short while I tried cycling with that setup in my rucksack. I could still hear traffic noise, but rather like training at the gym, I ended up cycling faster and faster with anything thumpy, and playing classical I'd continue cycling for miles more than necessary, because the experience was so relaxing and enjoyable. The same happens gardening to music.

Really ?????

However if you insist, maybe listen to the 'Funeral March' on repeat.

Funnily enough one of the tracks played randomly is the funeral march. I slowed right down for that one, and tried to not regard it as a bad omen when it cropped up.

These days the only sound accompanying my rides is Google Maps yelling directions from a JBL bluetooth jobby when I'm lost:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/JBL-Essential-Portable-Bluetooth-Speaker/dp/B0BZP8DR1Q

The gardening sound system has been upgraded by the Unforgettably Great AliExpress Winter Sale of 2023/24, and is now powered by the ebike battery via an inverter. I'm tempted to drag the sound system around in my bicycle trailer to stop every so often, and host impromptu raves. No, I'm not joking. I need more frickin' laser beams.

 

[Bikes4two]

Everyone is different but I can never understand why any cyclist would take away or reduce one of the key senses to keeping safe on the road.

Mind you, we as humans eat too much, drink alchohol to excess, blah blah blah, so adding an increased risk to accidents by dulling hearing shouldn't be a suprise to me, but it is.

 

[saneagle]

Everyone is different but I can never understand why any cyclist would take away or reduce one of the key senses to keeping safe on the road.

Mind you, we as humans eat too much, drink alchohol to excess, blah blah blah, so adding an increased risk to accidents by dulling hearing shouldn't be a suprise to me, but it is.

It's nice to listen to the cricket while cycling.

 

[chris_n]

Does it actually make any difference if you can hear clearly what is behind you? You usually can't do anything about it anyway.

 

[Az.]

Does it actually make any difference if you can hear clearly what is behind you?

It does. It might be a difference between life and death.

 

[chris_n]

It does. It might be a difference between life and death.

But you can't do anything about it. A fast moving vehicle coming behind you that hasn't seen you will hit you whether you know it's there or not.
Most people that I have seen reacting to traffic behind them cause more problems than they solve because they become unpredictable. If you pull in closer to the edge of the road you encourage close passing and put your wheels where there are more problems like sunken drain covers, debris etc that are just going to unsettle you and possibly cause a collision.

 

[Az.]

But you can't do anything about it. A fast moving vehicle coming behind you that hasn't seen you will hit you whether you know it's there or not.
Most people that I have seen reacting to traffic behind them cause more problems than they solve because they become unpredictable. If you pull in closer to the edge of the road you encourage close passing and put your wheels where there are more problems like sunken drain covers, debris etc that are just going to unsettle you and possibly cause a collision.

When you ride you need all your senses super sharp. There are situations when there is nothing you can do and situations when you can do something.
Listening to the music while riding doesn't make any sense anyway as there is to much background noise. It is like going to the opera when they refurbish interior.

 

[saneagle]

When you ride you need all your senses super sharp. There are situations when there is nothing you can do and situations when you can do something.
Listening to the music while riding doesn't make any sense anyway as there is to much background noise. It is like going to the opera when they refurbish interior.

It's even worse on a motorbike. If I want to listen to the radio, I have to slipstream trucks to keep the wind noise down, but at least I get an extra 10 mpg, so it's not all bad.

 

[Bikes4two]

Does it actually make any difference if you can hear clearly what is behind you? You usually can't do anything about it anyway.

I really can't agree with that point of view. Yes, for some scenarios it's a case of 'what will be will be' but let me give you an example of knowing (through hearing) what's happening behind you can reduce the risk of an accident:

• You're riding along a country lane/quiet road. A car approaches from behind and you can tell from their proxomity and their engine revs whether they are going to be impatient and are likely to squeeze by at what ever point they think is an opportunity to 'safely' do so. Under such circumstances, having heard this, you will be much more aware of being 'cut up' and you can take appropriate action to avoid this.
• Similarly on roads with heavy foilage/tree canopies where views of approaching traffic from side roads is limited, being able to hear approaching vehicles gives you a 'heads up' for caution.

Now for you this type of cycling scenario might be a rare occurence, but today on my 100k ride with friends, it was a common occurence.

So again I say, I can't understand why anyone would want to cycle on or roads where encountering inconsiderate road users is not unusual, would knowingly and wantonly reduce a key sense.

 

[thelarkbox]

Yeah but @Bikes4two while you make a valid point, SHHHH!!!!!!

Think about the possible conclusions if you make a big noise and garner support,, the inevitable ban on playing any media when in control of any vehicle.. And think of the impact on a summers day parked on the m25 with the whole family in the car. Trying to catch someone on video playing any media wearing ear buds etc will be the national sport..

 

[Bikes4two]

'Tongue in cheek' I know @thelarkbox - must vehicles are of course steel boxes which is why some drivers don't give a hoot how they driver - me on my bike is just flesh and bone and I do my best to keep it all in one piece .