Comments on: Music on your Commute: Abstinence or Safe Sounds? http://www.commutebybike.com/2013/01/15/music-on-your-commute-abstinence-or-safe-sounds/ Tips, Hints, Reviews and Safety for Bike Commuters Sat, 18 May 2013 21:46:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Mr. Ed http://www.commutebybike.com/2013/01/15/music-on-your-commute-abstinence-or-safe-sounds/comment-page-1/#comment-1745681 Mr. Ed Tue, 05 Mar 2013 22:32:14 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=22614#comment-1745681 In Florida the law is specific regarding headsets and bicycles on public roadways where the law (Section 316.304, F.S.) says; "A bicyclist must not wear a headset, headphone, or other listening device other than a hearing aid when riding. Wearing a headset blocks out important audio clues needed to detect the presence of other traffic." I like the small mechanical sounds of my bike and those of the environment around me. (I am in the minority today, preferring my music to come from Bose and vintage Sansui speakers on CDs and vinyl.) I've commuted by bike for a long time (11 miles one-way) and toured the east coast sans audio devices. Still, having a legal prohibition seems senseless. In Florida the law is specific regarding headsets and bicycles on public roadways where the law (Section 316.304, F.S.) says; “A bicyclist must not wear a headset, headphone, or other listening device other than a hearing aid when riding. Wearing a headset blocks out important audio clues needed to detect the presence of other traffic.”

I like the small mechanical sounds of my bike and those of the environment around me. (I am in the minority today, preferring my music to come from Bose and vintage Sansui speakers on CDs and vinyl.) I’ve commuted by bike for a long time (11 miles one-way) and toured the east coast sans audio devices. Still, having a legal prohibition seems senseless.

]]> By: cheap earplugs http://www.commutebybike.com/2013/01/15/music-on-your-commute-abstinence-or-safe-sounds/comment-page-1/#comment-1711349 cheap earplugs Sat, 23 Feb 2013 15:23:27 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=22614#comment-1711349 I work nights so wear ear plugs all the time. My most effective ones were custom made from a kit, they're far more comfortable than standard ear plugs and don't seem to wear out. It's much less expensive than having your ears custom made by an audiologist; I would suggest them to anybody who uses them often. I work nights so wear ear plugs all the time. My most effective ones were custom made from a kit, they’re far more comfortable than standard ear plugs and don’t seem to wear out. It’s much less expensive than having your ears custom made by an audiologist; I would suggest them to anybody who uses them often.

]]> By: tony http://www.commutebybike.com/2013/01/15/music-on-your-commute-abstinence-or-safe-sounds/comment-page-1/#comment-1682686 tony Tue, 12 Feb 2013 08:52:37 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=22614#comment-1682686 ±80min roundtrip to work here, daily. I too would probably be less motivated if I had to cross the time & distance, if it weren't for some good tunes or talks in my ears. I absolutely do not object to earbuds, as long as they don't drown out street sounds. I adjust the volume to make SURE I can still hear what's happening around me. Used to listen to new and favorite albums and DJ sets, later stumbled upon some fine podcasts, and since last summer, after a colleague lent me a collection of audiobooks, been listening to those. That was a revelation. Now I get from A to B, am able to work out AND still catch up on litera/culture, too :) I'll easily recommend it to anyone, anytime. Still: bike safely, and don't let anything playing in your ears draw your attention from the road. This allowed me to stay accident-free for over 14 years now (except for slips on icy roads). Best, Tony from Belgium ±80min roundtrip to work here, daily. I too would probably be less motivated if I had to cross the time & distance, if it weren’t for some good tunes or talks in my ears.

I absolutely do not object to earbuds, as long as they don’t drown out street sounds. I adjust the volume to make SURE I can still hear what’s happening around me.

Used to listen to new and favorite albums and DJ sets, later stumbled upon some fine podcasts, and since last summer, after a colleague lent me a collection of audiobooks, been listening to those.

That was a revelation. Now I get from A to B, am able to work out AND still catch up on litera/culture, too :) I’ll easily recommend it to anyone, anytime.

Still: bike safely, and don’t let anything playing in your ears draw your attention from the road. This allowed me to stay accident-free for over 14 years now (except for slips on icy roads).

Best,

Tony from Belgium

]]> By: Surly Shawn http://www.commutebybike.com/2013/01/15/music-on-your-commute-abstinence-or-safe-sounds/comment-page-1/#comment-1616722 Surly Shawn Wed, 23 Jan 2013 16:43:45 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=22614#comment-1616722 I guess I am in the reckless minority here. Not only do I listen to music when I commute, it's part of the reason I do commute. I went through several combinations of players and headphones and I believe my current set up is the best. Bluetooth headphones for my phone that have built in controls. I keep my music low enough to hear cars approaching from behind and no bulky (extra) mp3 player in my bag. One and done (phone)! I can also take calls with them if necessary. And should I get a song that's louder than the others, I can turn it down with ease, if needed. I also avoid main roads as much as possible. By sticking to side streets, I can listen to my music a little louder than is probably recommended. It's about being safe, no matter where or how you ride. I guess I am in the reckless minority here. Not only do I listen to music when I commute, it’s part of the reason I do commute.

I went through several combinations of players and headphones and I believe my current set up is the best. Bluetooth headphones for my phone that have built in controls. I keep my music low enough to hear cars approaching from behind and no bulky (extra) mp3 player in my bag. One and done (phone)! I can also take calls with them if necessary. And should I get a song that’s louder than the others, I can turn it down with ease, if needed.

I also avoid main roads as much as possible. By sticking to side streets, I can listen to my music a little louder than is probably recommended. It’s about being safe, no matter where or how you ride.

]]> By: Evan Maxey http://www.commutebybike.com/2013/01/15/music-on-your-commute-abstinence-or-safe-sounds/comment-page-1/#comment-1609190 Evan Maxey Tue, 22 Jan 2013 05:32:25 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=22614#comment-1609190 Re previous post: I guess I should have mentioned that the earbuds block the wind from my inner ear and eliminate the wind noise. I used to wear ear plugs until I tried the earbuds. I would also like to mention that I can still hear encroaching motorized vehicles even with the music playing or with earplugs in. For me, open ears is the loudest and most distracting option. Re previous post:

I guess I should have mentioned that the earbuds block the wind from my inner ear and eliminate the wind noise. I used to wear ear plugs until I tried the earbuds. I would also like to mention that I can still hear encroaching motorized vehicles even with the music playing or with earplugs in. For me, open ears is the loudest and most distracting option.

]]> By: Evan Maxey http://www.commutebybike.com/2013/01/15/music-on-your-commute-abstinence-or-safe-sounds/comment-page-1/#comment-1609118 Evan Maxey Tue, 22 Jan 2013 05:12:49 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=22614#comment-1609118 I am completely baffled by the intensity of opposition to wearing wearing earbuds while biking. Am I the only one but when I ride with open ears all I hear is hkchchchkchchckkkck (loud wind noise and that is on top of my tinitis which is a loud ringing in my ears)? I agree that not paying attention while riding is dangerous but that is different than hearing music. I say hearing music, not listening to music. I look for cars and objects (both moving and still)while I ride. I swivel my head to see who is encroaching from every direction. I analyze speed distance emotional content. I anticipate situations and perform risk management. What do open eared (non wind noise encumbered) riders do? Do they stare straight ahead analyzing the sounds around waiting to leap blindly off the bike opposite of the direction of loud noises? Should deaf people not ride bikes? I can't account for some others listening habits but I don't turn up music loud or "listen" to it. I don't think about the music I think about riding. I am completely baffled by the intensity of opposition to wearing wearing earbuds while biking. Am I the only one but when I ride with open ears all I hear is hkchchchkchchckkkck (loud wind noise and that is on top of my tinitis which is a loud ringing in my ears)?

I agree that not paying attention while riding is dangerous but that is different than hearing music. I say hearing music, not listening to music.

I look for cars and objects (both moving and still)while I ride. I swivel my head to see who is encroaching from every direction. I analyze speed distance emotional content. I anticipate situations and perform risk management.

What do open eared (non wind noise encumbered) riders do? Do they stare straight ahead analyzing the sounds around waiting to leap blindly off the bike opposite of the direction of loud noises?

Should deaf people not ride bikes?

I can’t account for some others listening habits but I don’t turn up music loud or “listen” to it. I don’t think about the music I think about riding.

]]> By: paintbikedog http://www.commutebybike.com/2013/01/15/music-on-your-commute-abstinence-or-safe-sounds/comment-page-1/#comment-1593207 paintbikedog Fri, 18 Jan 2013 17:52:32 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=22614#comment-1593207 I've done the mono thing with an earbud in just one ear only when I'm on a MUP / dedicated trail. Anytime I'm sharing the road with cars, it is ears clear. The fact that these little Otus critters look like earbuds and might use the same drivers, that has me wondering if I could get approximately the same effect with maybe modifying some cheapie earbuds. Experimentation time! I’ve done the mono thing with an earbud in just one ear only when I’m on a MUP / dedicated trail. Anytime I’m sharing the road with cars, it is ears clear.

The fact that these little Otus critters look like earbuds and might use the same drivers, that has me wondering if I could get approximately the same effect with maybe modifying some cheapie earbuds. Experimentation time!

]]> By: bg http://www.commutebybike.com/2013/01/15/music-on-your-commute-abstinence-or-safe-sounds/comment-page-1/#comment-1592706 bg Fri, 18 Jan 2013 13:54:07 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=22614#comment-1592706 What works for me is talk-only podcasts, curbside earbud only. Just let the other one hang (or choose mono on your player if it has it, or get a mono-ing songle earbud). I read about it on the web just last year. I had tried two ears on and off for years but found it too isolating. And even with one ear, music is too distracting. Spoken word works remarkably well. I guess the abstract nature of musical sounds makes it too difficult to quickly discern environmental sounds from the music. Perhaps something evolutionary allows for spoken words to not interfere. I suggest NPR (except for politics) the BBC, Alec Baldwin's radio show, Car Talk, The Nerdist, but not audio books...they require too much concentration. Also the back of the helmet is where I put a flasher for commuting at night. What works for me is talk-only podcasts, curbside earbud only. Just let the other one hang (or choose mono on your player if it has it, or get a mono-ing songle earbud). I read about it on the web just last year. I had tried two ears on and off for years but found it too isolating. And even with one ear, music is too distracting. Spoken word works remarkably well. I guess the abstract nature of musical sounds makes it too difficult to quickly discern environmental sounds from the music. Perhaps something evolutionary allows for spoken words to not interfere. I suggest NPR (except for politics) the BBC, Alec Baldwin’s radio show, Car Talk, The Nerdist, but not audio books…they require too much concentration.

Also the back of the helmet is where I put a flasher for commuting at night.

]]> By: Joel http://www.commutebybike.com/2013/01/15/music-on-your-commute-abstinence-or-safe-sounds/comment-page-1/#comment-1591370 Joel Fri, 18 Jan 2013 05:07:03 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=22614#comment-1591370 I whistle or hum many a tune while moving the pedals along. It can be a marching tune, Broadway theme, or modern melody. My mind creates it and my body pumps the rhythm. The absolute reality is the noise is generated by nature (in my head, body, or the sounds around me). When I was in 8th grade (circa 1973), we had no such opportunities to create bicycle accompaniments except for a transistor radio (which I could not afford). The wonderful feeling of wind whistling in my ears, causing my eyes to tear as I shifted and pedaled into the last gear on a Columbia 10 speed racer was more than adequate sound to take me to a special place in my life. Maybe that is the same sound I look forward to tomorrow morning when the temperature will be around 20 degrees. I will mount my bicycle, start pedaling, and feel like a fourteen year old listening to the tunes in my head as my eyes water. What a special place to look forward to going every day! Did I mention that I like to ride my bicycle? I whistle or hum many a tune while moving the pedals along. It can be a marching tune, Broadway theme, or modern melody. My mind creates it and my body pumps the rhythm. The absolute reality is the noise is generated by nature (in my head, body, or the sounds around me).

When I was in 8th grade (circa 1973), we had no such opportunities to create bicycle accompaniments except for a transistor radio (which I could not afford). The wonderful feeling of wind whistling in my ears, causing my eyes to tear as I shifted and pedaled into the last gear on a Columbia 10 speed racer was more than adequate sound to take me to a special place in my life.

Maybe that is the same sound I look forward to tomorrow morning when the temperature will be around 20 degrees. I will mount my bicycle, start pedaling, and feel like a fourteen year old listening to the tunes in my head as my eyes water. What a special place to look forward to going every day!

Did I mention that I like to ride my bicycle?

]]> By: Tim Sherman http://www.commutebybike.com/2013/01/15/music-on-your-commute-abstinence-or-safe-sounds/comment-page-1/#comment-1590979 Tim Sherman Fri, 18 Jan 2013 02:37:02 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=22614#comment-1590979 I listen to my bike and get a pace. Then a song comes to me(in my head). It comes to me like Professor Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. I have a library of tunes in my head that always gets me there. What I really need is a helmet that will dry my hair when I am late leaving in the morning or maybe the stock market ticker could be displayed on my visor so I wouldn't have to listen for it on my trip home. Is Otus heavier than a kickstand? Will it work in Seattle rain? This would be cool on a nice day when I'm riding a bike trail for recreation. I just don't see it as something that would be a part of a trip to and from work. More stuff to monkey with when I should be going somewhere is just a distraction. I listen to my bike and get a pace. Then a song comes to me(in my head). It comes to me like Professor Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. I have a library of tunes in my head that always gets me there. What I really need is a helmet that will dry my hair when I am late leaving in the morning or maybe the stock market ticker could be displayed on my visor so I wouldn’t have to listen for it on my trip home. Is Otus heavier than a kickstand? Will it work in Seattle rain?
This would be cool on a nice day when I’m riding a bike trail for recreation. I just don’t see it as something that would be a part of a trip to and from work. More stuff to monkey with when I should be going somewhere is just a distraction.

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