adrian522 wrote: » I actually don't want to ban music. I think it would be idiotic. Take from that what you will.
adrian522 wrote: » Brilliant, this is scientific proof if ever I've seen it. Ban earphones all together. Let's ban music while we are at it.
beauf wrote: » So will you be starting a thread should it be illegal to "walk while wearing headphones?"
Oscar Gateaux wrote: » Problem: Teenage girl walks out in front of Luas without looking left or right. Solution: Ban cyclists from wearing headphones.
Deedsie wrote: » Headphones/earphones affect awareness.
Deedsie wrote: » Headphones/earphones affect awareness. That's my point, why would I ban music. I love music. Where did I mention scientific evidence? It was a current news story that someway I felt could be linked to this thread.
adrian522 wrote: » But it is not linked to the thread at all is it? You concluded from that story that "Headphones/earphones do affect your awareness of what is going on around you." One person not paying attention doesn't prove anything. She could just as easily have done the same thing while not wearing earphones. If I were to post on this thread every-time someone safely crossed the road wearing headphones what would that prove? It's an utterly redundant point.
Deedsie wrote: » ...It was a current news story that someway I felt could be linked to this thread.
Deedsie wrote: » Someway linked = this thread heaphones/earphones : Impact on awareness of your surroundings. The article = heaphones/earphones impact on the girls awareness of her surroundings. From a legal point of view, if a motorist knocked down a cyclist and the motorist was in the wrong. If it went to court could the defence use the fact that the cyclist involved was not paying due care or attention as they were wearing headphones/earphones at the time of the incident?
Deedsie wrote: » If it went to court could the defence use the fact that the cyclist involved was not paying due care or attention as they were wearing headphones/earphones at the time of the incident?
beauf wrote: » Well then should you ban all things that impact on awareness?Why single out cycling? Is any of it enforceable with current resources? Is any of it covered by existing laws? For example in the UK there's "dangerous cycling".
Oscar Gateaux wrote: » That's essentially what you're arguing for. Because if your proposal ever did see the light of day, that's where it's going to have the biggest impact. Given that the Guards don't enforce most existing road traffic law against cyclists, they're hardly going to be out every morning pulling in people with earphones. But it definitely will be picked up on by the lawyers. Frequently these kinds well meaning but poorly thought through safety proposals come with "sure what harm can it do... if it only saves one life" kind of commentary. And the thing is, they can actually do plenty of harm. You're essentially transferring liability or part liability onto cyclists with little or no evidence to suggest it's warranted.
Deedsie wrote: » Perhaps headphones/earphones, using a mobile phone, being drunk, illegal substance use, cycling on a footpath, breaking red lights etc etc could all be considered breaking a new all encompassing rule of "Dangerous cycling" like the one someone mentioned exists in the UK. @beauf of me this evening with full on beats headphones swerving back and forth accross the cycle lane... No helmet
Grassey wrote: » Whooooooo.... I'll agree that those lads wearing headphones look like idiots... But don't take being drunk from us! A few pints never hurt anyone's awareness when cycling. How'd we legally get home from the pub then? Also what does not wearing a helmet have to do with him listening to music while in a cycle lane?
Deedsie wrote: » Should it be illegal to cycle while wearing headphones? On the spot fine? Just wondering other people's opinions on this? Maybe start a discussion. I think it's a bit careless and potentially very dangerous for a cyclist to be on the public road and not be focused totally on the job of cycling safely from A to B?
Deedsie wrote: » It's a cycling forum I have stated my opinion is that it does impact on awareness thus wearing headphones while cycling should make a person liable. Easy solution, don't wear headphones while cycling and you won't be liable. Perhaps headphones/earphones, using a mobile phone, being drunk, illegal substance use, cycling on a footpath, breaking red lights etc etc could all be considered breaking a new all encompassing rule of "Dangerous cycling" like the one someone mentioned exists in the UK. @beauf I don't want to be criminalising people, I regret using te word illegal and on the spot fine in the title. I do think it is a an issue, a small one yet I see zombie cyclists wearing headphones/earphones every morning totally unaware of what's going on around them. Other cyclists can't overtake them safely. They don't seem to realise cars/busses are about to overtake them until they have and then they get a fright and have to react and right themselves. I don't know how they can do it morning after morning. I had a guy cycling in front of me this evening with full on beats headphones swerving back and forth accross the cycle lane... No helmet
Brian? wrote: » I was wearing a thermo headband over my ears today. Couldn't hear a thing but the wind while descending. Should there be an on the spot fine for warm ears?
Deedsie wrote: » There should be a ban on wearing thermo anything in August.
Qualitymark wrote: » Actually, I nearly did have an accident involving headphones (or rather, earbuds) the other day. I was coming down Dame Street - not awfully fast - and a pedestrian who was standing on the pavement suddenly wandered onto the street right in front of me, oblivious, with her back to me, against the lights, which were anywhere not near her. It was too late to ring my bell, but I let out an eldritch screech that caused the hair of everyone within 50 feet to stand on end. Not the wandering pedestrian, though. It was only after I had swerved past her (thankfully there were no cars coming behind me or I'd be a goner) that I realised she was lost in her own world, listening to something on her earbuds. Perhaps we should ban earbuds for pedestrians?
Deedsie wrote: » Or just raise awareness to be careful when out and about be you pedestrian, cyclist or motorist. Anything that will impede your ability to know what's going on around you should of course be discouraged. Again I regret saying illegal and fine now. I nearly crashed into a girl at the canal bridge at leeson street last week. She was just strolling across the road looking at her phone. She got quite a fright though so hopefully she will be more observant in future.
Qualitymark wrote: » I let out an eldritch screech
07Lapierre wrote: » I was cycling in Spain two weeks ago( yes i was wearing earphones and cycling on the opposite side of the road to what I'm used to). It was Sunny and Hot and the number of Females walking around wearing Swimwear was very, very distracting! Should we ban women wearing swimwear in public? Definitely not..its a risk I'm happy to take!
