Wearing Headphones while riding a motorbike - is this legal

[VFR]

Hey, I am a fairly new motorcyclsits, that is to say that i have only had my license for 18 months. I am having a great time on the motorbike, but i miss listening to music when i travel.

Occasionally i plug in the ipod, but feel as though I am breaking the law. does anyone know what the "law" is about this? i cant see that it is elegal when you consider that blue tooth gadgets exist "scala" for example.

This might seem a trivial issue, but one which i do worry about, dont want to get caught listening to music if it means losing my license.

Your advice is appreciated

[Timmeh]

If it was illegal, then the same argument would be used against cagers listening to their stereos.

As for it being safe, which is totally a different thing, I'd say that in the background is ok, but not to the detriment of your spacial awareness. If something happens behind you, you're more likely to hear it before you see it.
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GSXR400 x2 | '94 RVF400 | '93 TZR125 4DL (again)
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20:48:18 Temeluchus: comp you hunk of smouldering homos3x you

[MattEMulsion]

It is perfectly legal to listen to music whilst riding your bike.
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Yamaha YZF-R6

[The Disapproving Brit]

The earphones themselves are totally legal. If it affects your riding then you could possibly be looking at driving without due care and attention, but that would be on the strength of your riding, not the fact that you're wearing headphones.

Some here feel that music distracts from the riding, and personally I don't feel comfortable riding with both earbuds in, but I quite often have one earbud in for music on the go without blocking out the environmental sounds.
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Current Bikes: 1983 Honda VF400FD / 2003 Honda VT750 Shadow
Bike Test Passed 18/03/09, Car Test Passed 14/05/13

[VFR]

Thank you, that makes sense. I am a very careful rider and conscious of safety. I feel better knowing that its not legal, but fully understand the cavviat about the riding ability! - thanks guys.

[VFR]

clearly.. I mean " glad to know its not illegal!"

[Coxyzxr]

[Quickly]

I've tried it a few times and find that, though I feel just as safe and aware riding with earphones in, I actually make more mistakes. When I ride I'm focused totally on what I'm doing and when I have music to listen to that focus is inevitably split, as I'm processing both the riding information and the music information. It will of course be different for other people, but I'd say it would be a valuable lesson if, the next few times you go out with the phones in, you look at your riding and see if there are any trends - good or bad. You never know, it may relax you and thus improve your riding.
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[VFR]

Very good tip, thank you. I suspect having had the music on a few times that i fall into the latter category. I really do think that it relaxes me and makes me a better rider. I take your point about being aware of the impact on the riding, and I'll pay closer attention see if there are any issues that arise.

Really greatful for the advise guys, appreciate it.

[Oliver_FF]

I've got a full Autocom intercom system with some chunky speakers that mount into your helmet so you can blast some music out (loud enough to be hard with 80mph head wind) without blocking the sounds of other things.

I can still hear police/ambulance sirens long before anyone in a car can. I was sat at some traffic lights a few weeks back right at the front waiting for the green when i thought i heard something. Listened hard and then it came again, so i dropped my side stand and swiveled on my seat, all these car drivers were probably thinking "what a nutter, what's he think he's doing??" then like 20 secs later this ambulance came tearing past and went straight through the junction because i was holding everyone up keeping the junction empty

[s44678]

Some good advice as usual.

But for me, nothing beets the sweet sweet music of the wind battering your head and a dirty great big engine wailing at full chat underneath your bollocks

If you need entertaining whilst riding, you obviously aren't riding hard enough

[VFR]

I can very well believe you. I have to say that i had always planned my defence ( when i thought this was all illegal) to have someone test the max sound on an ipod. I am sure that the 80 MPH wind is somewhat louder and so much more menotonous than my little ipod that i would argue the ipod ensures that i stay awake!. I have resisted bluetooth devices that might allow me to speak on my phone, as i do think this would be a serious distraction for me ( personal choice) . I tend to do fairly long stints on the bike, i binned my car 18 months ago and now would not dream of getting back on 4 wheels ( although the winter settling in is making me re-think) Having some music on is so very important to me.

[Bendy]

Autocom with automatic volume control ftw.

Loud when there's lots of wind noise, quiet when there isn't. Best thing ever.

[VFR]

Skluff: i dare say that I will not contest you on this. Not really much of a speed man! - that is not to say that i dont "occasionally" feel the urge to push over 100! - but alas.. not for too long. with only 18 months experience I dont yet have the full confidence that will come in time. And at the risk of being banned from this site.. being on a bike is enough of an advantage without having to speed too much! - my rear tire wears right down the middle! and my knees remain very far from the tarmac! -

[s44678]

I hear ya I've been fortunate enough not to have to make a tedious journey yet on the bike. But I could imagine any more than 10 mins on a motorway and you'd be bored shitless. Have been known to sing to myself to keep occupied so music probably isn't a bad idea.

I would probably go for some deep house or something with a fairly monotnous beat though, not some mental fusion jazz that keeps pestering your brain for attention every 5 mins.

But just my personal choice. Maybe theres another thread in there, music to ride to

[Louise]

All of my journeys I listen to my MP3 player.
Arai's I find noisey - so I plug my player in.
Its not too loud so I cant here nothing else around me.

[Paivi]

If only I stopped at listening to music, I sing along as well as dance.
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My other bike's a Monster...

[VFR]

lol - confession time! - i caught myself at traffic lights "doing a little dance" on the bike! - only then i panicked, since i thought listening to music was ilegal and my tapping feet and saddle shifting might give the game away as to what was going on in my lid! - i now realise that i can tap my feet and dance till my heart is content without fear of jail! - assuming my dancing does not ammount to creating public dissorder?!!

[Paivi]

[VFR]

quite! - not that much of an extrovert!

[Pete.]

It's legal in the UK - but if you go touring don't wear them in France as they don't allow any kind of earplug speakers - not even Satnav ones.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Louise]

Ive been sitting at lights before listening to some dance music with my OH in the car behind. Untill I got home they ask what I was listening too, as apparently I was bopping my head a lot
So remember people are watching you

[LankyPaddy]

[st3v3]

Just bear in mind that if you are involved in any accidents etc, you may be done for driving without due care & attention if listening at the time.

I do listen to mine on low volume because there is nothing factual verifying illegality but the chance always exists.
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Roger wrote: Women don't get damp for clingy puppies. Get some better happy pills, hit the gym & buy a medallion the size of a dinner plate. Job done

[c-m]