Cyclists wearing headphones

Today on my way into Thetford i saw a very near accident involving a cyclist and a car the cyclist was wearing headphones he swerved out with no warning luckily the car driver managed to stop in time. I was wondering if the cyclist could not hear the approaching traffic or not, with him wearing headphones? I know he should of looked behind to make sure there was no traffic but maybe as he could not hear he thought it was safe to make a move.I honestly think it should be illegal for cyclists to wear headphones they are a danger to the cyclist and any other road user.

Re: Cyclists wearing headphones

I agree doc, surely you need all your senses when riding a bike, especially in traffic, I see many people, ( usually young) walking with headphones in eyes firmly glued to their smart phone, not paying attention, someone is going to be injured or worse one day

Re: Cyclists wearing headphones

My walk to the pub is fraught with danger as it is along quite a narrow alley and there are always cyclists, walkers and indeed runners all heading towards me plugged in and not looking where they are going.
Some of them appear to be plugged in at both ends, what is that all about?

Re: Cyclists wearing headphones

As a cyclist I wont even raise my hood when its raining hard because it limits vision and hearing...............both critical on a bike.

Re: Cyclists wearing headphones

Never mind what they can hear!
They don't seem to realise that pedestrians can't hear them!
I was walking my little dog this morning down the narrow lane, which at my end of the village leads to the only safe place to walk. Suddenly a woman on a bike sped part us with no warning! If either of us had moved slightly into the middle of the road, which is just wide enough for a van, we would have been hit.
It's not the first time this has happened, I did let rip with some choice words, I hope she wasn't wearing ear phones!

Re: Cyclists wearing headphones

Motorists listening to the radio or music in a car with the Windows wound up don't hear traffic either. The difference is that, as motorists, we would never make a manoeuvre without first looking in the mirrors. That's where a lot of cyclists make a mistake in my opinion. They don't have a mirror to check what's behind them before moving out from the side of the road.

It is very easy to fit a mirror to a bicycle and if any safety consideration ought to be a legal requirement, I'd vote for that. It would certainly have avoided the incident that you witnessed Doc, whether the cyclist was wearing headphones or not.

I rarely get into any trouble when riding my bike because I'm the perfect cyclist of course. I've got a bell, considerate to those on foot or in motor vehicles, insured and got a mirror.

Re: Cyclists wearing headphones

NL is thinking about a ban because the problem is so bad, France is already there
https://www.thelocal.fr/20150618/fre...sing-earphones

Of course you will get those who say they are snowflakes wanting to ban everything and we are as bad for wanting to join them but the point is I dont want a death blotting my copybook or my windscreen.
If people are too stupid to take care of themselves and educate themselves about road safety then a ban is the only way to safeguard those of us who do care.

Re: Cyclists wearing headphones

Why shouldn't they? After all, they are above the law in all other respects: red lights, weaving in and out of traffic, riding on pavements, riding two or three abreast, no compulsory insurance, no identifying number plates, etc, etc.

If a cyclist is injured or flattened into the tarmac, the authorities naturally assume that it's the fault of the nasty motorist or HGV driver.

No. They have it made. Why should they give up any of their entitlements?

Re: Cyclists wearing headphones

What is it with people these days and the incessant need to listen to music twenty four seven. Listening to music while driving, riding or running drastically reduces your integration with the world around you, it also puts you in a very dangerous situation.