: Headphones?
Newbie750 03-15-2003, 09:21 PM http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif This may be a stupid question, but is it legal to ride with a set of headphones/earphones underneath your helmet? I know I've seen a couple of posts that said to use earplugs to help shut out the sound of the road and cut down wind noise, and that doesn't sound like it would be breaking any laws. I just want to know if I can listen to my favorite tunes while riding http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/punk.gif. Have any of you guys had any experience with this dilemma? What states, if any, is this legal/illegal in? -Thanks
RuffRyder02 03-15-2003, 09:27 PM I don't know about WA but in ND it's perfectly legal. I use my mp3 player on long trips, but then again there isn't many bike laws here. Hell we don't need to wear a helmet if we don't to, or even eye protection for that matter. SO things are a little more laid back here in ND then most places, I would check at your local DMV and find out for sure. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif
Dingo3243 03-15-2003, 10:56 PM There's already enough stupid cagers out there as it is. Do you really want to plug your ears from hearing what's around you and divert some of your concentration? In my opinion it sounds like asking for trouble but that's my opinion. I know in Mass its frowned upon but not sure if it's illegal on a bike...I know it is in a car. -Dana
Newbie750 03-15-2003, 11:45 PM Yeah, I guess it was a stupid question. It would be kind of nice http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif, but the risks greatly outweigh the small thread of enjoyment I would get from rockin' out http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/plthumbsdown.gif http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/plthumbsdown.gif. I guess I should try thinking first before I ask another silly question. I still wouldn't mind knowing just for shits and giggles if it is legal or not, and if anyone has had any personal experience with this. But I won't be giving it anymore thought after this. Thanks for bringing me to the realization that I am in fact a dumbass.
shubrick 03-16-2003, 12:41 AM what part of seattle are you from? b/c helmets are REQUIRED by law...NOT optional
Newbie750 03-16-2003, 02:36 PM shubrick said:
what part of seattle are you from? b/c helmets are REQUIRED by law...NOT optional
I live in Shoreline. The question wasn't about weather or not wearing helmets is legal (I may be dumb but...oh I forgot already), it was to see if wearing headphones under your helmet while riding is legal.
Dingo3243 03-16-2003, 03:50 PM Newbie750 said:
Yeah, I guess it was a stupid question. It would be kind of nice http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif, but the risks greatly outweigh the small thread of enjoyment I would get from rockin' out http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/plthumbsdown.gif http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/plthumbsdown.gif. I guess I should try thinking first before I ask another silly question. I still wouldn't mind knowing just for shits and giggles if it is legal or not, and if anyone has had any personal experience with this. But I won't be giving it anymore thought after this. Thanks for bringing me to the realization that I am in fact a dumbass.
It's a legit question...wasn't trying to bag on you. I'd like to listen to music too. I thought about wiring the small ear piece headphones into the helmet(not near the ear) so I could atleast hear some music without actually plugging my ears but it got me thinking...When I'm driving in my car I am sometimes distracted by the music. Being distracted on my motorcycle could be deadly. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/plthumbsdown.gif I'd rather crash knowing I did everything I could to prevent it.
pewter99ss 03-16-2003, 03:54 PM I know a guy who rides his bike every day to work in Dallas traffic, he listens to music while riding and he has been in three wrecks. After seeing his example, I don't think I'm gonna do it. He said he was distracted every time. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
shubrick 03-16-2003, 05:39 PM Newbie750 said:
shubrick said:
what part of seattle are you from? b/c helmets are REQUIRED by law...NOT optional
I live in Shoreline. The question wasn't about weather or not wearing helmets is legal (I may be dumb but...oh I forgot already), it was to see if wearing headphones under your helmet while riding is legal.
Yeah..this is my bad...confused you with the guy from ND...
Hammer 4 03-16-2003, 07:32 PM Leave the headphones at home...you need have 110% of your attention on the road...not on what music is playing at the moment...
In Cali any type of ear piece is illegal, even ear plugs....
makav3li 03-17-2003, 02:47 AM music is distracting on the road. i made the mistake of riding twisties with the music on and singing along. not all of my attention was on the road ahead of me. lucky for me i didnt fly off the edge and nothing happened to my bike when i got close to a truck slowing for a turn ahead of me. just becareful when riding with music
A_Fire_Inside 03-17-2003, 08:57 PM Newbie750 said:
Yeah, I guess it was a stupid question. It would be kind of nice http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif, but the risks greatly outweigh the small thread of enjoyment I would get from rockin' out http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/plthumbsdown.gif http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/plthumbsdown.gif. I guess I should try thinking first before I ask another silly question. I still wouldn't mind knowing just for shits and giggles if it is legal or not, and if anyone has had any personal experience with this. But I won't be giving it anymore thought after this. Thanks for bringing me to the realization that I am in fact a dumbass.
Dont be so hard on yourself. I've ridden with my cd player (listened w/ earbuds) listeing to Bad Religion for a few rides. But I've only listened to music on long freeway trips because
A. wind noise is apparently bad for your hearing or something?
B. its boring riding on the freeway listening to nothing
C. I use fasttrack
but anyways, I personally have no problems riding while listening to music, but never when i'm riding through the twisties or on short trips through traffic. Just dont turn it up too loud because then it'll become a distraction. oh.. and you may wanna get some more riding experience so you're reallllly comfortable before you start listening to music. okay enough from me, have fun out there!
Novice 03-17-2003, 09:37 PM Goin from a car to a bike im gonna miss music the most... (but hey the exhaust is a great soundtrack!)
Oh and you might want to try only one earphone (so you can still hear sirens and horns), but personally I'm just gonna live music free.
Women_Want_ME 03-17-2003, 09:50 PM I know in Cali its illegal to have on headphones in a car when driving or while riding a bike. But I ride listening to my afi and agent orange mostly everytime I ride, makes it more fun. I haven't a problem paying attention yet. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/punk.gif
gixxer600 03-17-2003, 11:48 PM i use my cd player w/ earbuds whenever i make my weekly 1 hour trip to the bay area which is a hour from here. but i know the road and ive driven it hundreds of times in my car and about 20 times on my bike so im pretty comfortable takin the trip. so music is a must cause riding by myself sucks and gets boring. the music gets me through that nice boring 30 min straight stretch of road w/ slow alot of semi trucks blocking my path.
if i took a long trip somewhre else, i might due without the earphones just to get used to the path. then the next time wear ear phones.
it doesnt distract me at all. not yet anyway, i dont know how the hell u get distracted by music unless ur an idiot and start bangin ur head all over the place and start wavin ur hands in the air like a retard. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/piss.gifif u dont do any of thta then go for it.
jeff137 03-18-2003, 04:34 PM I prefer to have all my attention on the road, but if you feel comfortable it is your choice. No legal issues in NC with it. I guess it is similar to talking on the cell phone while driving a car which most of us do a lot...
Hammer 4 03-18-2003, 04:39 PM jeff137 said:
I prefer to have all my attention on the road, but if you feel comfortable it is your choice. No legal issues in NC with it. I guess it is similar to talking on the cell phone while driving a car which most of us do a lot...
Yeah, except if ya mess up in your cage, could result in JUST a fender bender....with a bike..it could FATAL....... http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
jeff137 03-19-2003, 05:26 AM Hammer 4 said:
jeff137 said:
I prefer to have all my attention on the road, but if you feel comfortable it is your choice. No legal issues in NC with it. I guess it is similar to talking on the cell phone while driving a car which most of us do a lot...
Yeah, except if ya mess up in your cage, could result in JUST a fender bender....with a bike..it could FATAL....... http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Very True! I personally wouldn't use the headphones.
element110 03-21-2003, 10:33 AM couldnt tell you how smart or leagal it is to ride with the music cause i dont know. would guess laws vary state to state. but some of the helmet mics (like chatterbox) do come with extra ports to plug cd/mp3 players into. not only do you get the tunes, but so does everyone else on your mic set. would they sell it if it were illegal?
somejeffguy 03-21-2003, 10:40 AM element110 said:
would they sell it if it were illegal?
since the laws vary from state to state, the burden is on the consumer to find out whether using the product is illegal.
freeway 03-21-2003, 11:44 PM does not sound like a good idea...
Alatus 04-19-2003, 08:03 PM Cannot speak for othe States, but here's the quote from CA Vehicle Code:
27400. No person operating any motor vehicle or bicycle shall wear
any headset covering, or any earplugs in, both ears. The prohibition
of this section does not apply to any of the following:
(a) Persons operating authorized emergency vehicles, as defined in
Section 165.
(b) Any person engaged in the operation of either special
construction equipment or equipment for use in the maintenance of any
highway.
(c) Any person engaged in the operation of refuse collection
equipment who is wearing a safety headset or safety earplugs.
(d) Any person wearing personal hearing protectors in the form of
custom earplugs or molds that are designed to attenuate injurious
noise levels. The custom plugs or molds shall be designed in a
manner so as to not inhibit the wearer's ability to hear a siren or
horn from an emergency vehicle or a horn from another motor vehicle.
(e) Any person using a prosthetic device which aids the hard of
hearing.
As has been alluded to by the experienced riders here, I can only caution that removing a critical sense (i.e., hearing) reduces the riders ability to scan and identify potential dangers in his riding environment. That goes for one earphone or two. I'd LOVE to listen to music while I ride - after trying it once I'll never do it again. It was like riding with one eye closed.
Alatus 04-19-2003, 08:05 PM As an addendum to my last post: foam earplugs are not "custom made to the wearer". If you get pulled over nad the officer sees fit, you can be ticketed. If your doctor prescribes them, however, I believe they are legal.
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