http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia_pacific/10463227.stm
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CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Cycling News
How dangerous is it to walk, talk and listen?
(18 posts)-
Posted 13 years ago #
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"Some of the worst offenders are pedestrians who not only listen to music with headphones plugged into both ears, but simultaneously punch out text messages or check e-mails as they pound the pavement."
Yeah well, if you're not even looking where you're going.
I certainly think that cycling with both earphones in is unwise.
Even one might be. On a bike hearing what's around can be useful, but it's also a question of whether you pay more/less attention with music/talk going directly into your ears.
Do motorists concentrate better or worse with the radio on? Has anyone checked?
Posted 13 years ago # -
The Sony Walkman is more than 30 years old - so in a sense the BBC piece (or rather the Australian police interest) is a bit of a non-story.
Coincidentally, I've recently "experimented" with listenting to music on my morning commute and I was surprised at how little traffic noise was blocked out (admittedly with ear "buds" and moderate volume).
I've never cycled while on the phone (voice or text).
Posted 13 years ago # -
"I've never cycled while on the phone (voice or text)."
Maybe that's a key factor- it's different bits of brain involving in listening/responding.
Whereas just listening to things, you can filter differently as in having the telly on and listening to someone speaking (or vice versa)
Which is why there is some unease about allowing 'hands free' 'phones in cars.
Posted 13 years ago # -
The real danger is from people listen to loud music or using mobile while piloting tin boxes, sadly the greatest risk is to others and not to those who do the piloting. If it where the other way around it would make a great difference.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Never mind tin boxes cars are much more dangerous......
Posted 13 years ago # -
Most days I listen to Radio 4, Today in the am and various things in the PM.
Hmmm... sometimes I bail on Gardener's Question Time.
It lets me know I'm going fast enough because I know where I should be at different points in the show.
I turn it off if Anne Atkins is on TFTD. I like Lionel Blue and Indarjit Singh.
If I'm in a hurry I listen to Fat Boy Slim, 808 State or some Kraftwerk (but not Autobahn).
Posted 13 years ago # -
iPod or managerial instructions?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/jul/02/tour-de-france-sky-five-year-plan
Posted 13 years ago # -
Anne Atkins is switched straight off, she is not nice.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Not nice at all whereas, even if you're not at all religious, Blue and Singh are usually worth listening to.
I don't mind Jonathan Sachs if he sticks to the history behind something but he can be a bit preachy which Singh and Blue don't do. They both sound nice too, particularly Singh.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I listen to music / use the phone often, and I don't find it predisposes me to dying (so far, at least).
Actually I have an open mind about whether there is an effect on road safety when you have something to listen to, but can't think of a mechanism where this would effect people outside of cars, but never people inside cars.
My observation as an interested observer (and occasional emergency avoider!) is that some people just do daft things, and if they do so while obviously having an iPod on, you attribute it to that, whereas if they do it "bare eared" you forget about it.
Moral panic, IMO.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Posted 13 years ago # -
Stealthy bluetooth ones, i nearly bought a set for the turbo but apparently sweat interferes with the touch controls.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I had the second generation walkman cost me £100 - 1982 - used to listen to Jimi Hendrix very loud through the ear phones. I was oblivious to the world. I used to go jogging with it on and stopped because for me I need all my senses working over time trying to tell the difference between reason and rhyme. Headphones will be up there with road position as a variable in accidents. Biggest predictor will still be driver behaviour.
I warmed to Lionel Blue after Anne Atkins started coming on with her near-facist rants poorly disguised as homily, I think she is Victoria Gillick's sister or neighbour.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Trying to taste the difference 'tween a lemon and lime....
Posted 13 years ago # -
No Giles Fraser fans? I used to work with him, and on radio he is pretty much just like he is in person -- speaks good sense most of time, but occasionally very annoying.
Posted 13 years ago # -
there was a a really good sketch about TFTD on one of the R4 comedies, I think it was David Quantick's 'One', but not completely sure.
Me, I'm afraid I'm going to sound v. low brow here but it's radio 1 for the commute. Radio 4 or various podcasts otherwise. This American Life is a current favourite.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I stopped using headphones a year ago. Mainly because I found they actually sometimes made the commute seem longer*. weird huh? But In general I don't think headphones are an issue for cyclists. Most cyclists are constantly checking over their shoulder anyway - they are generally also much more aware of whats going on around them anyway.
Pedestrians + headphones who step into the road as you are cycling past though..... they deserve to be removed darwin style.
*I also was worried about my heading getting bummed
Posted 13 years ago #
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