New DH calendar
Article updated: 11/4/2012 10:15 AM

Biking with headphones is foolish

Buy this photo Buy this photo
Gallery Image

Cyclists, if you're wearing headphones, you're asking for trouble.

Slate illustration by Mark Alan Stamaty

About this Article

As opposed to texting while driving, listening to music while you pedal isn't so transparently stupid that it invites universal condemnation. A sensible-seeming, spandex-swaddled fellow might tell you that hearing isn't all that important when you're on a bike — and besides, a headphoned rider can hear a lot better than a dude blasting his car stereo. But, really, isn't this just common sense?