Your say on iPod wearing and cycling

I was thrilled to receive comments on the 'to wear/or not to wear an iPod while riding' debate that was raised in last month's SheSpoke newsletter. As you can see there were some arguments for and against. Here are just some of the replies SheSpoke received. Thank you so much for contributing, as one reader put it your 'two cents worth'!

'I regularly wear my IPOD whilst riding. Often this is while I am by myself but I also have it on whilst in a group. I am not one to have it on that loud though that I can't hear what the person next to me is saying or the person up ahead. I am very aware of using all of your senses whilst riding but only have it on very low and it is just background noise. I am still able to hear cars coming up behind etc. When I first started using it, I was very nervous but then just got used to it and as I said, it is just some background noise for me. Most of the time I don't even hear it but I like it because it stops the wind in my ears and just gives me something when I am either a little bored or need some motivation to keep going. It sometimes keeps me focused. I love exercising, sleeping, working to music or noise. I alway have music on in the background at home even though I might not be actually listening to it. Again, it is just background noise. I think we should keep an open mind on this and I think the use of mobile phones whilst riding is more dangerous!

Just thought I would share my views with you.'

Happy cycling!
Cheers,
N - Queensland

'I just wanted to give my support to you in relation to your comments on iPod users in your last newsletter. I am an iPod user but never on the bike on the road. I am lucky enough to live around the corner from a dedicated bike path but even then, turning up the volume is not a good idea. If you can't hear what's happening around you, turn it down...or off!

I also do triathlons of all distances and cannot believe USM Events, the organisers of Noosa, who manage a whole heap of events in Qld would allow this to happen! I am astounded this also wasn't mentioned in the race briefing or competitor booklet. Tri Australia rules dictate that you cannot use a mobile phone or wear a headset (portable radio or CD player, etc) whilst competing. Could you imagine how dangerous it would be to have competitors wearing their MP3's while riding or running in a race?! There are enough crashes in races without allowing this.

Unfortunately, with nearly every runner on the street using an iPod, incidents will increase and probably more attacks on women when running in the dark. I am guilty of religiously using mine during my runs but it certainly scares me thinking of the consequences considering I 'zone out' most of the time and when fatigued near the end of a 25km run, it's easy to miss things without the added interference of my music collection.'

Train safe,
D - Queensland

'I totally agree about iPpods, mobile phones etc. and bikes - they don't mix! As cyclists, one of our main senses is hearing - especially as we can't see behind us easily. How can we give that up is such a potentially dangerous environment?

Cycling Geelong, or which I am a member, is partnering Vision Australia in a tandems project for the visually impaired. The vision-impaired cyclists we ride with have become so acute in their other senses, especially hearing. Yet daily we see cyclists, and other road users, distracting themselves with phones and other distracting devices, which negate their hearing!'

Best wishes
H - Victoria

'Definitely not when in a race. I do have one while training sometimes, not up that loud. I can still hear cars coming behind me and also hear when people say something to me, e.g., say hello when you are running. It is a good motivational tool and keeps you company on long rides.'

Cheers,
G - Queensland

'I wear my iPod when cycling. BUT I only have the left ear in. This allows me to still hear the traffic and warning calls from front and behind. I can still hear a bike coming up from behind me so it doesn't seem to be a problem.

I think the volume makes a huge difference, as does the fact that it is only one ear.

I'm sure I have also seen things advertised that fit to your helmet and hold the ear piece away from your ear, thus allowing traffic noise to still be heard.

Just my two cents.'
A - New South Wales