Are headphones on a bike a good idea?

Many people can't imagine cycling without their beloved music. It helps them get into the rhythm, disconnect from the world, and enjoy the ride. However, these advantages can also turn into disadvantages. By isolating themselves from their surroundings, we might miss warning signs—whether it's an ambulance in the city or a wild boar in the forest. This article is written from the perspective of someone who loves music but never rides with headphones. I thought it was a great opportunity to reconsider my position and present sensible arguments for and against. And who knows, maybe I'll even take my headphones on my bike again?

Arguments against

Actually, one big one – you can't hear what's going on around you. The wild boar example is rather extreme; in the forest or on a quiet road, I'm not surprised at all by headphones on a bike. However, I find it difficult to understand how someone can deprive themselves of hearing in the city. It's not just about extreme cases; to avoid hearing an ambulance or a tram bell, you need to wear exceptionally sound-deadening headset. I'm more concerned about what's happening in the immediate vicinity, especially cars. It's not about making maneuvers based solely on hearing (that's foolish), but the roar of an oncoming car is a sure sign that it's better to slow down than to give a wide berth to a manhole cover. I also guarantee that most bicycle bells won't be heard through headphones. Therefore, listening to music while cycling in the city is out of the question for me – I simply don't feel safe. But maybe I'm overreacting?

Or maybe headphones on a bike aren't so scary?

First of all, the temptation is really, really strong. When I'm driving alone, the speakers usually have to work hard. So I'm not surprised that some "listeners" are fully aware of what I wrote in the previous paragraph and simply ignore it. That's their business – they're unlikely to harm anyone but themselves, so I don't think I have the right to impose my opinion on them. However, it did draw my attention to how quiet electric cars are – several times I noticed a car only passing me when it was level with me. With headphones, there wouldn't be any difference. Will this change my mind? Probably not. I still value the ability to use all my senses, but it made me realize that not everyone perceives the world this way. I even stopped casting disapproving glances at musically inclined cyclists. By the way, I think using just one earbud in the right ear is a very sensible compromise. We lose stereo, but we still have adequate access to "street life." This makes sense. I also think that when training on the road outside the city, the risk of using earbuds is low – there, nothing unexpected happens. Passing by by millimeters of speeding cars is unfortunately considered to be expected. And a few hours in the saddle can be boring, so a good concept album or podcast is highly recommended. On a mountain bike, the only things that can surprise you are other cyclists, or maybe a dog.

Choose wisely - which headphones are best for cycling?

First, choose ones you won't lose on bumps. Bluetooth headphones for cycling are a tempting option – you don't have to mess with cables, but the thought of searching for a tiny AirPod in the forest floor or on the road isn't very appealing. Therefore, with smaller models without a cable, it's worth investing (often included) in a connector that will hold them around your neck if necessary. For off-road riding, slightly larger models with ear hooks are best. They sit securely without covering the entire ear canal. Larger models with a headband and large sound-absorbing foam pads are a poor choice. They fall off easily, and constantly readjusting them will only be irritating. By the way, it's surprising that there's no such product on the market as dedicated cycling headphones. Could it be that manufacturers are concerned about the potential legal consequences of accidents ? However, there's no shortage of sports models for runners, and I recommend choosing them. The new models that use bone conduction sound transmission are particularly interesting. They leave the ear canals open, so they don't affect the reception of ambient sound. Could this be the solution to all your music-on-bike problems? If anyone has had the opportunity to use such a solution, be sure to let us know!

Alternatives

Recently, a few helmets with built-in headphones/speakers have appeared. The selection is limited, however, and I think it's better to leave the helmet to its sole purpose. Putting on headphones isn't that big of a deal after all. Every now and then, I also see cyclists installing touring speakers in their water bottle cages. Please, don't do this. There's nothing worse than going to the woods for training and finding techno blasting. Let's enjoy the music, but let's not force it on others. Main photo by Jonathan Grado