Government 'will not legislate' for Mayor of London's cyclist headphone ban

If I couldn't listen to music while cycling then what would be the point of going for a ride, I'd give up cycling and drive instead. Simple as that. I love cycling but not as much as I love music. I couldn't give a damn what all you anal "ban headphones" idiots think either.

"why on earth would you shut off one of your senses on purpose."

But you 'don't shut it off' unless it's at dangerously high volumes, you just add some music to the background noise. Is that any different to wearing dark shades on anything but a really sunny day? Plenty of drivers and cyclists do that also. It's their choice.

It's not hard to see that it's a highly variable thing and a non-issue for legislation. From what I see, my road awareness and actions in traffic when I have music / headphones on are still safer than a lot of riders who appear to be 'fully aware' yet have very poor traffic behavior. It's all about balance and perspective.

Its not just the cyclists, its the muppet pedestrians too, plugged in and stepping off the kerbs with no thought for using their eyes. As a motorcyclist as well it happens on many occasions on my ide to work.

Remember the advertising campaign for the Green Cross Code, 'Stop, Look, Listen', yes that last word is important, why on earth would you shut off one of your senses on purpose.

And since when did deaf people stop using their other senses to a more heightened degree, thats a pathetic argument.

Is there any evidence that cyclists wearing headphones are killing other people? Until there is the full force of the law should be directed at the people who are killing cyclists and pedestrians on our streets. These are almost entirely people operating heavy and dangerous machinery in a careless or reckless manor. That should be the highest priority.

Blaming people for being run over, is just a distraction from the real problem. Time for change.

I've just come in from cold, wet cycle. When I was half-way home I stuck a fleece cap with a peak and earflaps on under my helmet to keep my ears warm and my glasses dry. It reduced road noise significantly, probably more so than headphones, so Boris should definitely consider a ban on hats. A ban on hats, scarves, cowls, turned-up collars, earrings and long haircuts would also make a ban on headphones much easier to enforce.

Oh, and can someone tell me how the sound of a lorry that is about to run me down from behind differs from one which is going to pass me?

Should definitely ban sat-navs in cars. There are cases where people have died because the driver was distracted by the sat-nav, and wasn't watching the road.

What is it about politicians? So they think it's a good idea for cyclists with their backs to heavy oncoming machinery to reduce themselves to being deaf & distracted? Helloooo. Deaf people have no choice and why would they be stopped? They're too wise to wear headphones on a bike anyway.

But if it keeps everyone happy, ban the deaf from wearing them too. Simple

At least the DfT seem to have the sense to ignore Boris's 'dead cat on the table'. It's a pity not everyone can, however...

Is the traffic noise (that motorists are so comfortably shielded from) in cities at or above a level where, if it were in a workplace, it would be deemed unacceptable?

How many deaths or serious injuries are accredited to headphone wearing?

Never mind all the evidence. Let's ban something.

The mobile phone analogy is flawed. That's about, primarily, control rather than awareness, hence why bluetooth is permitted but holding the phone is not.

Cycling is about awareness. But let's not forget here what cycling with headphones is stopping you doing. If we ignore the idiot who crossed the train track without looking, it's primarily about not hearing what's behind you. So, for example, people blithely turn right without checking over their shoulder. In such circumstances the failure is not simply because of the headphones but a staggering amount of self awareness.

If we're talking about being hit by a lorry that simply doesn't see you while you occupy a space 1 foot out from the kerb then the headphones simply are not a factor.

I'd never use them because I'd never deny myself that additional sense, even if that sense is "brace for impact." But the argument is over simplified.

There are two sides to this debate, as both the cyclist and the motorist have responsibility for ensuring that all parties are kept safe. I am not taking up the defense of the motorist, because in a lot of cases they are equally to blame for a lack of appreciation of cyclists rights on the road, but they do often get hammered because a cyclist has not taken due care and attention.

However, cyclists need to understand that by wearing headphones, they are threatening their spacial awareness of vehicles and road conditions around them, and as such could quite easily put themselves in the firing line from motorist as well.

I am astounded that the DfT have put their proverbial heads in the sand, when motorists were considered a road threat by using mobile phones, new legislation was introduced (despite the same advice covering this off in the Highway Code), and yet they have vetoed any potential earphone legislation.

I hope that there is a change of heart in the high up echelons at Whitehall, and I also hope that both cyclists and motorists appreciate each other's responsibilities.

Someone in the Civil Service with common sense, surely some mistake

OMG we are almost making it a good thing to have people using earphones now - backfire!

There is no way that we could expect someone to listen to the 'correct' type of sound entertainment or use the correct volume either, thatd be like saying its okay to use a phone if you limit the call to urgent stuff only....yea right.

Comparing using earphones to people with hearing difficulties is a low blow too - typical of the government that run the country into the ground.
If you live with hearing difficulties, id say you are a lot more aware of youre surroundings than a cyclist without difficulties or earphones. Its something you tune yourself to do due to living with a constant level of impaired-ability.
You dont use earphones constantly nor cycle constantly either so its no comparison. Cheap shot.

Whilst this shouldnt deflect from the issues surrounding road planning and including all types of transport - whilst we are on the subject, earphones should be banned - its idiocy.

I wouldnt ride my motorbike in traffic listening to music/phonecalls/podcasts etc for the same reason - even my earplugs are the type that allow a level accoustics non-restrictive of traffic noise.

Why do people presume that any cyclist that is wearing headphones has the volume maxed out to 2unlimted's greatest hits. If I am cycling by my self either commuting or for fun, and have remembered to charge the various necessary bits then I listen to a range of podcast, they don't especially interfere with me being able to hear other noises, certainly no worse than wearing a helmet and the wind buffeting.

So could people just give the banning of stuff a rest, empowering people to make responsible decision based on their own circumstances is a much better way.