Demand for bicycles has skyrocketed since Boris Johnson encouraged people to avoid using public transport in favour of walking and cycling. Halfords shares shot up 26 percent in a day after the PM’s address. But are you allowed to listen to music as you cycle?

Can you listen to music while cycling?

Listening to music while you cycle is legal, however, it may not be very safe to do so.

Listening to music may distract you from what is going on around you and may prevent you from being able to hear the approach of other vehicles.

However, many enjoy the escapism and motivation listening to music can provide while on a ride.

READ MORE: Cycling rules: Can you cycle on a public footpath?

Scientific research and polls are conflicted about the impact of music while cycling.

A BBC poll conducted in 2014 resulted in almost 90 percent questioned being in favour of a blanket ban.

Many respondents cited that cyclists are unaware and unresponsive to dangers, therefore more likely to be involved in incidents.

A study by Dr Katrina Jungnickel and Dr Rachel Aldred found the use of music and headphones actually helped create a “sensory strategy” which helped to calm cyclists riding in dangerous environments.

Do not use noise-cancelling headphones or earbuds

Noise-cancelling headphones alienate background noise which is counterproductive for cycling when you need to be able to hear the sounds of oncoming traffic, sirens, pedestrians, other cyclists and traffic noises.

Keep the volume down

Keeping the volume down can also effectively reduce the dangers of listening to music while cycling, while also protecting you against the risk of hearing loss.

Try to bone conduction headphones

Bone conduction technology delivers sound through your bones meaning sound ender your ear through the cheekbones bypassing your eardrum entirely.

Buy a Bluetooth helmet

A Bluetooth helmet may be a larger investment but they usually have built-in speakers which sit above the ears allowing ambient traffic noise to be heard over the music.

Pull off the road if you need to make adjustments

If you need to make any changes to your music volume while cycling, you should be sure to pull over and out of the flow of traffic before making any adjustments to your music.

Bluetooth speaker

You can also buy a small bluetooth speaker and clip it onto whatever is convenient such as a backpack or your handle.



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