Do you often listen to music or audiobooks while riding your bike? If so, you might be wondering if wearing headphones is legal. And if it is, are there any rules you need to be aware of?
This article will outline the laws related to wearing headphones while biking. So whether you’re a casual cyclist or a dedicated music lover, read on to find out everything you need to know about riding your bike with headphones.
Some states regulate the use of headphones while biking. These states include Florida, Rhode Island, California, Delaware, New York, Virginia, and Maryland. You might get away with wearing headphones over one ear in these states, but not both.
Editors note: Don’t rely on some fixie-foo on the internet for critical legal matters (such as this one). I am not a lawyer and probably don’t live in your city or state. Municipalities have different laws, so please consult a lawyer or read up on your local laws.
Why do people use headphones while riding?
The majority of cyclists wear headphones because they enjoy the combination of cycling and listening to music. So, music motivates them to ride harder and faster.
State Bicycle Co. Black Label 6061
State Bicycle Co. Black Label 6061
Is it legal to wear headphones while cycling?
When going for a jog, it is common to wear earbuds or headphones and connect them to a mobile device to listen to music, phone calls, or other media. Some companies, such as Apple, design devices and cases specifically for sports use. Nike and other companies have developed fitness-tracking applications. Consequently, it would make sense for cyclists to utilize the same technology.
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What are the laws around cycling and headphone use?
In many states and counties, riding a bicycle while wearing headphones is illegal. Below are just a few of the laws regarding cycling and headphone use.
United States headphone laws
Only seven states currently regulate headphone use.
- Florida – Not legal
- Rhode Island – Not legal
- California – Can cover only one ear
- Delaware – Can cover only one ear
- New York – Can cover only one ear
- Virginia – Can cover only one ear
- Maryland – Covering both ears but only legal on the bike path
Florida and Rhode Island prohibit headphones on bicycles, but not because it is inherently dangerous to do so. Instead, it has more to do with hearing audible alerts from other vehicles (such as sirens) and applies equally to cars, trucks, and bicycles.
California, Delaware, Maryland, New York and Virginia permit cyclists to wear earbuds in only one ear, except on Maryland’s off-road trails, where two can be worn.
This means that headphones are legal, albeit not recommended, in the remaining 43 states. However, you may find yourself perceived as a greater accident risk.
European headphone laws
Here are some of the laws regarding headphones for some European countries.
- Belgium’s Europa headphones and cycling laws are legal despite efforts to ban them.
- France – Prohibited in all forms since 2015
- Germany – Permitted if not too loud (unclear how this is policed)
- Italy – Only one ear
- Portugal – Only one ear
- Spain – Illegal in any form
- Sweden – All forms are legal
- UK – Authorized in all forms
These laws typically do not differentiate between different types of headphones, including in-ear, over-ear, and bone conduction headphones.
Why is headphone use while driving dangerous?
The states that have outlawed or severely restricted the use of headphones while driving assert that their primary motivation is safety. The reason for this is that by wearing headphones, one sacrifices their ability to hear what is happening around them (or at least restricts it). When dealing with drivers, it makes sense to have a sensory advantage; that is, to not have anything that would impair your ability to sense the environment.
This immediately raises the counterargument that deaf cyclists are permitted on the road, even though they cannot hear and continue to ride safely! Furthermore, pedestrians who listen to music while walking are at no greater risk of injury than pedestrians who do not wear headphones, so why are cyclists singled out as being too dangerous to listen to music while cycling?
The counterargument is that people who are deaf are not prohibited from riding bicycles. But still, one could argue that people who are deaf can compensate for this (having done so for a long time), whereas people listening to headphones are more distracted and less likely to pay attention.
If you want even more tips and insights, check out this video called Is Biking with Headphones Safe? | Too Afraid to Ask from the Zach Gallardo YouTube Channel.
A video called Is Biking with Headphones Safe? | Too Afraid to Ask from the Zach Gallardo YouTube Channel.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do you still have questions? Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about cycling with headphones.
Can headphones be worn while riding a bicycle?
Is riding with headphones safe? The relatively simple test conducted by Bicycle Network revealed that riding with headphones at a reasonable volume does not reduce the amount of road noise you can hear. However, I still don’t recommend it.
Is it illegal to ride a bicycle while listening to music?
Some states regulate the use of headphones while biking. These states include Florida, Rhode Island, California, Delaware, New York, Virginia, and Maryland. You might get away with wearing headphones over one ear in these states, but not both.
Is it legal to ride a bicycle with Airpods?
These laws typically do not differentiate between different types of headphones, including in-ear, over-ear, and bone conduction headphones. However, In some states, lawmakers have included the extremely popular Airpod earbuds in the law.
Is cycling with headphones illegal in the United Kingdom?
It is not illegal to wear headphones while cycling on public roads or cycling paths in the United Kingdom.
Is it dangerous to wear headphones while riding a bicycle?
Yes. Combining these activities is extremely hazardous for most people because listening to music impairs hearing. When riding a bicycle, paying attention to what is happening behind and next to you is essential, as this may prevent an accident.
Is it common for people to ride with headphones on?
Yes, I see them frequently. People typically listen to music while cycling because it motivates them, even though it is dangerous and prohibited by law.
Conclusion
For obvious reasons, you must follow all the rules and laws of road safety while riding your bike. Even if you’re just wearing headphones, many unsafe practices could lead to a serious accident. So, you better not risk it! If you ride your bike and feel like breaking the rules today, make sure to do so far away from traffic and stay alert.
This article covered the laws related to cycling and headphone use. Here are some key takeaways:
Key takeaways
- The majority of cyclists wear headphones because they enjoy the combination of cycling and listening to music.
- Many states have laws to prevent cyclists from wearing headphones, earphones, or earbuds.
- California, Delaware, Maryland, New York, and Virginia permit cyclists to wear earbuds in only one ear.
- The California Vehicle Code (VC 20102) prohibits bike riders from wearing headsets while on bicycles.
So, do you listen to music while you ride? Did I cover everything you wanted to know? And what do you think of my list? Let me know in the comments section below (I read and reply to every comment). If you found this article helpful, check out my full blog for more tips and tricks on fix and single-speed cycling. Thanks for reading, and stay fixed.
