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Cycling with earphones, headphones, earphones (any will do). The age-old safety debate — Is it safe to listen to music or Road.cc podcasts while cycling? Should you go one-in-one-out? What are the different rules around the world?
The debate was reignited this week after broadcaster Jeremy Vine posted a video on social media of his bicycle accident caused by a submerged pothole while cycling in London. The pedaling host lost his earphones in the fall and quickly returned to retrieve them from the ground, but the footage prompted many replies questioning the safety of cycling with earphones in.
Opinions vary widely in the comments on our live blog, with some wanting to keep their ears open to detect potential danger, others content to listen with one ear, and others wanting to keep their ears open for potential danger, while others are happy to listen with one ear, and others are happy to listen to music with just one ear. Some people are convinced that there is nothing wrong with listening to . In case of a collision caused by the dangerous behavior of other road users, resulting in serious injuries or worse.
We’ve covered this issue before, but a 2018 Dutch study published in the Journal of Accident Analysis and Prevention found that the use of headphones “negatively impacts sound perception, which is essential for safe cycling.” It is stated that.
“However, after accounting for the influence of confounding variables, we found no association between frequency of listening to music or talking on the phone and frequency of accidents among teenage cyclists,” the study said. I concluded.
And wider public opinion appears to support banning cyclists from wearing earphones while cycling, with nine out of 10 people supporting a ban in a 2014 BBC poll. According to the Electronic Survey of Road User Attitudes (ESRA), the figure is two-thirds. More recent research.
Is it allowed to wear earphones while cycling?
As you’ve probably already guessed, yes. In the UK, there is no law prohibiting cyclists from wearing headphones while cycling.
Similarly, the Highway Code states, “Avoid actions that may impair control of your bicycle” and “Watch out for vehicles coming from behind, including other cyclists.” However, there is no mention of earphones.
If you’re planning a cycling holiday or bikepacking trip, it’s worth noting that this isn’t the case everywhere. Riding a bike with earphones in Spain and the Canary Islands is not allowed and can result in a hefty fine of 200 euros, and similarly in France it is not allowed to ride a bike with earphones in. not.
In most of the United States, the use of earphones while cycling is allowed, but in some states, such as California, only one ear is legal, and the rules are similar in Europe, such as Italy and Portugal.
Cycling with earphones — road.cc readers’ opinions…
Whether or not to wear headphones while cycling in the UK is a matter of personal preference, unless you’re a club ride or part of an organized group that has its own rules.
Below are some of your opinions.
“I wear my headphones in my left ear. The strap that connects to my right earbud is below the heart rate monitor, so if I need to take out my left earbud, I don’t lose it. When the car is behind me. I can hear perfectly well. “When cars pass by. If for some reason you are in the right lane for a period of time, move out of the lane so that you can hear the car on the left. It won’t come in.” Many come from the outside world. ”
“I think headphones are a personal choice. Years ago, I used headphones. I enjoyed the music too much and found it distracting, so I stopped using it later.”
“When riding a bike, I don’t think it’s wise to cover your ears with headphones, thus making your ride slower than the surrounding traffic. I can’t tell you how many people use bone conduction type headphones. I know, but it seems more sensible.If I’m driving with the radio on, I can still hear my surroundings, and I have mirrors, so if I’m driving with the radio on, You can recognize things more. That said, I don’t know what role the headphones played in Jeremy Vine not seeing the pothole hidden in the puddle.”
“I almost always cycle with one Bluetooth earphone in my left ear. I can hear podcasts and music, but I have a good idea of what’s going on around me in terms of traffic. It’s really important to be aware of what’s going on. It’s much better on a bike than in a car, but it helps if you’re actually paying attention and being in the moment.”
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