RLJ Poll
Comments
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Headhuunter wrote:MonkeyMonster wrote:I see a scary mix from pootling OAP's to fluorescent upright commuters RLJ too on a daily basis. I'd say the least likely group to jump is roadies of both the male and girlie variety. I'm luckily still waiting for the splat to happen in front of me and I will go help the distraught driver over the stupid cyclist. I'd be interested to see how many people here listen to headphones while on their run too...
Now that's a good point. The whole listening to headphones thing HAS to be more dangerous than RLJ-ing when the road is clear. I use my ears all the time to judge traffic.
Hmm, that's interesting.
I have worn headphones a lot in the past. At the moment I don't but I never found it more dangerous. You're right that you can judge the traffic a lot using your hearing, but if I'm listening to music I just don't rely on that and use my eyes.- Genesis Croix de Fer
- Dolan Tuono0 -
pangolin wrote:Headhuunter wrote:MonkeyMonster wrote:I see a scary mix from pootling OAP's to fluorescent upright commuters RLJ too on a daily basis. I'd say the least likely group to jump is roadies of both the male and girlie variety. I'm luckily still waiting for the splat to happen in front of me and I will go help the distraught driver over the stupid cyclist. I'd be interested to see how many people here listen to headphones while on their run too...
Now that's a good point. The whole listening to headphones thing HAS to be more dangerous than RLJ-ing when the road is clear. I use my ears all the time to judge traffic.
Hmm, that's interesting.
I have worn headphones a lot in the past. At the moment I don't but I never found it more dangerous. You're right that you can judge the traffic a lot using your hearing, but if I'm listening to music I just don't rely on that and use my eyes.
IME you need both AND you need to concentrate especially in Central London rush hour traffic so TBH there's no way I could enjoy the music anyway. I would never use head/earphones on the bike, myself....Do not write below this line. Office use only.0 -
I think headphones are ok. I use them and can hear traffic just fine, although I prefer to rely on my eyes and shoulder check frequently. In ear headphones OTOH are not a good idea at all...
I also like to have my music for long solo rides. Wearing them has never caused trouble for me or any other road user, and besides you can always pause the music/take out one 'phone if you think the situation demands.- 2023 Vielo V+1
- 2022 Canyon Aeroad CFR
- 2020 Canyon Ultimate CF SLX
- Strava
- On the Strand
- Crown Stables
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Well that's that then. I RLJ, you all listen to music. We both think the other is a nutter likely to go under the wheels of the next motorist.Do not write below this line. Office use only.0
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Headhuunter wrote:Well that's that then. I RLJ, you all listen to music. We both think the other is a nutter likely to go under the wheels of the next motorist.
Although one is illegal and engenders hysterical debate, the other isn't and (for the most part) doesn't.- 2023 Vielo V+1
- 2022 Canyon Aeroad CFR
- 2020 Canyon Ultimate CF SLX
- Strava
- On the Strand
- Crown Stables
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Il Principe wrote:Headhuunter wrote:Well that's that then. I RLJ, you all listen to music. We both think the other is a nutter likely to go under the wheels of the next motorist.
Although one is illegal and engenders hysterical debate, the other isn't and (for the most part) doesn't.
I'm sure if I could be bothered I could dig up some line from the Highway Code that could be translated as listening to headphones is illegal, something about being completely aware of your surroundings at all times. But anyway, I can't be bothered to look. Live and let live.Do not write below this line. Office use only.0 -
Headhuunter wrote:Il Principe wrote:Headhuunter wrote:Well that's that then. I RLJ, you all listen to music. We both think the other is a nutter likely to go under the wheels of the next motorist.
Although one is illegal and engenders hysterical debate, the other isn't and (for the most part) doesn't.
I'm sure if I could be bothered I could dig up some line from the Highway Code that could be translated as listening to headphones is illegal, something about being completely aware of your surroundings at all times. But anyway, I can't be bothered to look. Live and let live.
What? You are essentially saying that it doesn't say that but you can twist it so it kind of sounds like it does. Whereas RLJing definetely is.
Oh well.- Genesis Croix de Fer
- Dolan Tuono0 -
For the record:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_070309Safe driving and riding needs concentration.
Avoid distractions when driving or riding such as
* loud music (this may mask other sounds)0 -
Headhuunter wrote:IME you need both AND you need to concentrate especially in Central London rush hour traffic so TBH there's no way I could enjoy the music anyway. I would never use head/earphones on the bike, myself....
Well - we're all differently abled aren't we?0 -
Headhuunter wrote:Il Principe wrote:Headhuunter wrote:Well that's that then. I RLJ, you all listen to music. We both think the other is a nutter likely to go under the wheels of the next motorist.
Although one is illegal and engenders hysterical debate, the other isn't and (for the most part) doesn't.
I'm sure if I could be bothered I could dig up some line from the Highway Code that could be translated as listening to headphones is illegal, something about being completely aware of your surroundings at all times. But anyway, I can't be bothered to look. Live and let live.
Is it the same bit that tells motorists not to have their stereos up too loud? :P0 -
Very interesting, I did think there would be a fairer split.
Out of interest, in what way do you mean fairer? :?0 -
Wallace1492 wrote:Just a quick poll, Would like just votes rather than going over the old ground.
ha ha!! Some chance0 -
Out of interest, do any of the small number of jumpers here drive a car. If so do you regularly jump red lights when driving (only if it is safe of course ) If not, why not?0
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Headhuunter wrote:
I think forums tend to attract a more "straight laced", less radical audience perhaps. I don't think the people who write here, invested in cycling or not, are the sort of people who have strong opinions. I may be wrong but I doubt there are many who would attend Critical Mass ride right up at the front and be the sort of person to hold their bike in the air in protest whilst blocking traffic on a major artery in London! Not that I would do that either...
Obviously I'm just a barrel of contradictions, since I've ridden at the front of many a Mass, corked plenty of streets, hoisted my bike above my head a bunch of times...and I don't RLJ.0 -
Aidy wrote:For the record:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_070309Safe driving and riding needs concentration.
Avoid distractions when driving or riding such as
* loud music (this may mask other sounds)David
Engineered Bicycles0 -
Porgy wrote:i'd say that most of the cyclists I see RLJing in south London are pretty well invested in terms of what they're wearing and what they're riding. I'd also say that there's no evidence that being "invested enough" in cycling means that you are going to obey the Highway Code. I see no evidence of that on the streets, and it certainly doesn't work for motorists where the more "invested" they are the less likely they are to obey the Highway Code.
Fair enough...I guess my experiences of RLJers here in Oxford are vastly different, since a lot of people I see here RLJing (or indeed riding at all, so I guess I am off base restricting to RLJers) tend to be pootling along on clunkers with seemingly minimal bike handling skills (possibly because a goodly number of them are using one hand to hold an umbrella or use a mobile) - definitely not behaviour that screams "I am invested in my method of transport".0 -
Monkeypump wrote:Looks like there are a lot of holier-than-thou folks voting and posting on this forum.
Suggestion for next poll - Do you live in an ivory tower? Yes/no
We don't go through red lights because it's f***g illegal.
Seriously! :?0 -
pangolin wrote:Headhuunter wrote:Il Principe wrote:Headhuunter wrote:Well that's that then. I RLJ, you all listen to music. We both think the other is a nutter likely to go under the wheels of the next motorist.
Although one is illegal and engenders hysterical debate, the other isn't and (for the most part) doesn't.
I'm sure if I could be bothered I could dig up some line from the Highway Code that could be translated as listening to headphones is illegal, something about being completely aware of your surroundings at all times. But anyway, I can't be bothered to look. Live and let live.
What? You are essentially saying that it doesn't say that but you can twist it so it kind of sounds like it does. Whereas RLJing definetely is.
Oh well.
I'm just wondering. All these reactionaries who bay for the blood of anyone who has the temerity to RLJ. Has any of you ever broken the law? As far as I'm concerned, listening to music is far more dangerous than RLJ-ing, as far as you're concerned it's the other way round, so those 2 arguments cancel each other out. So we're left with "it's against the law".
So has any of you ever broken an eency weency tiny law? Gone 35mph in a 30 zone in the car? 50 in a 40 zone? As Aidy has pointed out, it could easily be construed in the Highway Code that listening to music whilst cycling is illegal, however if tomorrow legislation was passed specifically outlawing listening to headphones whilst riding a bike, would you all stop doing in immediately? I'm sure some of you would but I doubt it for the vast majority.
It's interesting how we pick and choose the laws we obey/get hysterical about. Some of you need to think over the bigger picture....Do not write below this line. Office use only.0 -
I only RLJ at 1 set of lights which is at the back of my works and for whatever reason does not register that I am there. Yet as soon as a car comes up behind me it does. I've timed it and had to wait 10mins once whilst I waited for a car to come and activate the lights. This is the only set that I ever do it and then the road I go onto is empty of all traffic. RLJing there is much safer than going out of work the front way and having to ride down a busy road to a major multi lane roundabout which is dangerous enough when i'm in the car never mind trying to do it on my bike.Bianchi. There are no alternatives only compromises!
I RIDE A KONA CADABRA -would you like to come and have a play with my magic link?0