This morning's commute and other commuting stories

It's the only way to describe them, they were huge. Only ever tried riding while using headphone/earphones hated that I couldn't hear anything.

i'm used to riding a motorbike so loud i can't hear other traffic so I just look behind me to see what's there.

Same way deaf people do, use observation and don’t rely on sound to know what’s around you.

Except deaf people are used to dealing with one of their senses being reduced or removed and have likely much more robust coping strategies than those with full hearing. To take a sense away from a regular hearing person, and then add an additional distraction on top of that, is just fucking ridiculous.

I can believe that anyone could argue that as a regular hearing person, that they would be as aware of their surroundings while listening to headphones as when they are not.

I remember this debate from decades ago when my school tried to 'crack down' on pupils who cycled in while wearing headphones (Walkmans were quite new then--yes, I am that old). Soon afterwards, a picture circulated of one of the PE teachers cycling with headphones. I can't remember if it was in the student news magazine or somewhere else.

I can believe that anyone could argue that as a regular hearing person, that they would be as aware of their surroundings while listening to headphones as when they are not.

When I tried it I was surprised at how infrequently I looked around. I quickly adapted to looking behind me a lot more often.

I'm probably biased since I too rode motorbikes for years and wore ear plugs to help reduce the chance of hearing loss from engine and wind noise. You just get used to looking over your shoulder much more.

I also seem to have heeded the warning about having headphones on too loud too. I have them on quiet enough that I can generally hold a conversation with someone even if music is playing, so even if I do have them on in both ears I can still hear beeps, engine noise coming up behind me, etc.

You've got mirrors on a motorbike though, right? On a bike, unless you're an SPD sandal-wearing tourer with bar-end mirrors etc, you're relying on shoulder-checks to see what's going on.

Edit: Also, on a motorbike you're less likely to have faster traffic speeding past you with a gap of a few centimetres.

Yes, I am relying on shoulder checks.
On a motorbike, on a bicycle, and in a car to check the blindspot.

I’ve not said as aware, that’s you leaping for the flame gun. I said observe and don’t rely on sound.

And you can sit in primary to your heart's content. On a bike, you've always got to be aware of that twat gunning it into a pinchpoint and the extra dimension of being able to hear changes in engine note can only be a good thing IMO.

Of course, but in cars and on motorbikes you've also got mirrors, so your situational awareness is better than on a bike, where the only way to check behind you is a shoulder check.

I'm considering one of these for a future trip.

A more discrete set up like, I draw the line at sandals mind.

, I draw the line at sandals mind.

A line in the sand, with your toes, through your sandals

I find myself shoulder-checking while stepping sideways on paths, these days!

I feel my situational awareness is better on a bike as I feel more connected to the situation (i.e. not in a big metal box or a full face helmet, where my body is focused forwards and almost blinkered).
I might have less idea of a speeding vehicle behind me as I can't see a mirror out of the corner of my eye, but that's certainly not how it feels.

I don't wear headphones whilst on the road anymore, mainly because the pounding music pushed me to pedal too aggressively for traffic - perfect for use on the rollers though.

Quite like listening to calming music or Today on the commute for the same reason. Those aftershockz bone conducting headphones work pretty well, plus they stop with just a tap if I want to concentrate

Expensive, though.

Have they been worth the money for you?

Yeah, they’ve got a lot of use and I’ve felt much more comfortable using them than earbuds. They’re also great for if you get bored on long rides or while doing laps... I listened to a couple of Audible books while riding across France last month.

They do a wired version which is cheaper FWIW.

Summed it up nicely.

TBF, even deaf people have the bad habit of not looking behind regularly too.

Not entirely. Mirrors on my bike are practically ornaments. They vibrate so much and can never be adjusted perfectly. Shoulder checking increased tenfold since I started riding. Lifesavers they are.

except people will always choose the exact second you look behind you to jump in front of your bike/pull out on you.

Riding up Southwark Bridge road and a chap in a 4x4 decides to overtake me then indicate left and begin his turn down a side road, stopping just short of going across my path.

Looks very puzzled to find me stationary and motioning him on in an exaggeratedly frustrated way. Doesn't understand why I wouldn't continue - from his POV I had 'right of way' and of course he wasn't going to take me out.

No buddy, I'm not taking that risk. No way of knowing if you'd seen me or not. Tsk.

More early morning bus drafting.

Red sky in the morning... weather thread is over there >>>