[Closed] Runners with earbuds

If they are out of the way fine - if not a loud shout or bell usually wakes 'em up IME

The section of TPT i use to get to work often has a lot of joggers, walkers and cyclists wearing headphones.

I don’t mind as long as they are on one side of the path and I can pass safely. It’s the ones that are in the middle of the path and you cannot get their attention that annoy me.

I had to pass a horserider wearing headphones recently. That was fun...

I sometimes run with earbuds in, but I always make sure there's space to pass and that I'm aware of what's going on around me (backwards check before I overtake etc). To be honest part of the appeal of running is being off in my own little world, so even without earbuds I need to make sure I know what's going on.

Ear buds.....for those who have not discovered aftershokz yet or who believe their requirement for audiophile music while running is a must have.

Aftershox made me a gravel rider.

If their music is so loud that they can't hear my bell, then that's a bit annoying. I have found that when walking or running on the TPT, there's plenty of bikes out there without bells.

I think on shared paths you have to remember that everybody is seeing things from a different perspective depending on what they're doing. To them, you're annoying, to you, they're annoying... and everybody probably has at least some justification for feeling the way they do. It's a shared space, so a bit of compromise is required - which isn't always mutual, but getting annoyed isn't really helping relations with anyone. So, I just pass slowly and wave, just as I'd do with anybody else, and I'd like to think the next time I see them, they might do the same, and possibly even be a smidgen more courteous of others.

Part of the problem is that many shared paths are too congested, so become a bit stressful for everyone.

Mleh I don't mind, most of the time there's enough room to make your way around folk, and a bell will normally still cut through unless they happen to listening to death metal at full volume I guess. If the path is narrow you should be crawling along anyway, and they'l probs. see you eventually. If you surprised some-one; have you reflected that you may have been just too close and going too fast for comfort?

I have listened to podcasts while riding it's cool if you're doing long Z2 sessions, but you just have to stay alert to what's going on around you, and be prepared to stop fast!

Here's another point of view: You're cycling to or from work, not some leisurely Sunday afternoon bimble about. Along the route are oblivious runners listening to music and right in the middle of the path, plus dog walkers who think their (off lead) dogs blocking the path are the most charming things on Earth. It might be a strong headwind and/or raining and a long commute.

Alternative view.

Your on the road and a car passes fast and close.

You don't like it.

Same story.

Just like your car horn doesn't mean get out my way. Ringing your bell doesn't mean get out the way it says hello I'm here.

You'll still be slowing down yeah ?

Shared paths are horrible things but they are the only concession as cyclists we are gonna get in the UK without massive step change.

Alternative view.

Your on the road and a car passes fast and close.

You don’t like it.

Same story.

Just like your car horn doesn’t mean get out my way. Ringing your bell doesn’t mean get out the way it says hello I’m here.

You’ll still be slowing down yeah ?

Shared paths are horrible things but they are the only concession as cyclists we are gonna get in the UK without massive step change.

This. Treat others as you'd like to be treated. Trails - other than at trail centres - are not there for us to "make progress".

Well, that's true but we have all seen examples of rudeness on shared trails. Unfortunately it can as easily be a cyclist responsible like a riding mate who doesn't seem to see the need to slow down when passing oblivious pedestrians. He is well on the spectrum though.

Oh I'm not saying that . Just saying that being in rush while commuting doesn't mean ding ding get out my way no more than trying to drive through town at 30 honking my horn cause I'm in a rush would be tolerated.

Can't say I have much sympathy for people who are surprised by my presence when they've intentionality blocked one of their prime senses that would otherwise help alert them to me sooner.

Earlier in my life while driving, cars coming round the corner in the opposite direction would often make me jump!

I find that runners are generally ok & usually stick to a straightish line. Dog walkers however are a different thing. They’re usually sauntering along in the middle lane of a given bridleway with earblobs in & faffing around on a phone. My ‘audible warning device’ ( a honk honk bulb horn, better than any bell) has not yet failed to alert anyone to my presence.

Yeah, regularly checking over my shoulder works for me when running with music. I haven't taken out anyone yet. That and keeping left on the shared path.

I don't have a "requirement for audiophile music while running" BTW 🤦‍♂️

I don’t have a “requirement for audiophile music while running” BTW

So your the other 50% ..... Those that have not yet discovered.

Not for upwards of £80 I'm not, no.

Woah. Best not break mine. I'm sure they were 45 quid still alot of dough for headphones but given the safety aspect and still allowing me my music while running I was ok with that

I'd not pay 80 either...

Runners with earphones in are surely so far down the list of things to be aggrieved about. Mildly annoying if they don’t keep left, but whatever, it’s a shared path and not a perfect world sculpted just for cyclists.

I might be deaf but I thought aftershokz were a pile of crap and I wasn’t expecting much.

I would prefer them not to but them I'm one of those weird people who thinks exercise and music don't match.

Is it shared use or bike only?

Difficult to argue the case for wearing ear buds/phones /cans or any other hearing impairment whilst using a shared use path. I have had a bell fitted for a number of years which is comfortably loud enough to be heard 50-75 yards away, I know this as a decent percentage of pedestrians turn and acknowledge it when I ring it from a distance. However, when someone is listening to music I have, on occasion cycled (slowly) up to within a few yards of these individuals and had to resort to shouting at the top of my voice as they cannot hear the bell (or anything else for that matter), in almost every case where this has happened, the person has seen fit to engage me in a barrage of verbal abuse. I find this totally unacceptable as I am doing absolutely everything I can to warn them of my approach.

Is it shared use or bike only?

The trail that the OP refers to is a shared path. It's popular with walkers, runners, horse-riders...all sorts. The bit that I use is nice, it's a ribbon of trail that goes straight out of Manchester all the way to the coast at Liverpool, but you have to be switched on, in places it's pretty narrow, and you just have to be aware that folks have earphones in/on these days, and ride around them or wait behind them while they notice you.

I've used the trail for v early morning blasts and night rides, you can blast along it, but you just have to pick your time. At the weekend though it's full of dogs horses folks and kids all getting some air and stretching their legs.

No one’s posted this for a bit.

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/bells-horns/samui-air-zound-3-rechargeable-horn/

I sometimes run with earbuds in, but I always make sure there’s space to pass and that I’m aware of what’s going on around me (backwards check before I overtake etc).

This. And in my limited experience 'most' runners are serious enough to learn this stuff. Casual joggers are a pain because they don't have a clue, and once or twice I've been riding man-made singletrack (signed as MTB only) to find wannabe trail runners dawdling along like they own the f'ing place. Deep breath, and try to ensure the cheery "hello!" really conveys the internal annoyance I'm feeling...

Dogs with earbuds are the double worst.

Horny dogs with earbuds. Bastards.

I had to pass a horserider wearing headphones recently. That was fun…

It's the horse that really needs to hear you, did that have headphones on as well?

I find that runners are generally ok & usually stick to a straightish line. Dog walkers however are a different thing

This.
I actually don't mind what you do, dog or no dog, but just hold your line.
If people do that, the fast approaching cyclist can pick a side and go through easily, as soon as people weave you get issues.

Tow path runners with head phones. Jeez, had a few of those.

I think on shared paths you have to remember that everybody is seeing things from a different perspective depending on what they’re doing. To them, you’re annoying, to you, they’re annoying… and everybody probably has at least some justification for feeling the way they do. It’s a shared space, so a bit of compromise is required – which isn’t always mutual, but getting annoyed isn’t really helping relations with anyone.

Well said.

Winter dog walkers with big hooded down jackets seem equally as impervious, If only everyone would just stay into the left, there wouldn't really be an issue.

It used to be that you could see the wires from the ear pieces or the headphones, but now you can't rely on that clue as to whether or not someone is plugged in and zoned out. If after a few attempts of getting their attention by ringing the bell seems to have failed, I usually find my voice can penetrate their music/podcast/phone-call.

the fast approaching cyclist

On a shared path, that's the first problem. They aren't there for us to "make progress".

You also need to watch out for the new mum militia.
The new baby pram is in the centre of 5 mums who radiate out in order of newness.
They own the park and don't move for anything or anyone.

given the safety aspect and still allowing me my music while running I was ok with that

Yeah, I have to admit I do think the aftershocks are a good idea in theory. (I was being particularly grumpy earlier.)

I've nearly made this thread myself so many times!

My usual routine is;

BELLBELLBELLBELLBELL

'Scuse me mate?!

OY!!!

If they still don't hear me at a shout I'll try and inch past them. Once, when I was along side going 2 mph trying to get their attention a runner turned 90 degrees and ran straight into me, nearly pushing me into the canal. He then tried to tell be bikes weren't allowed on the 'footpath.'

In all seriousness if you can't hear your surroundings it's pretty dangerous.

Personally I don’t run with ear phones and would never cycle with them my biggest bug bear are dog walkers with those extendable leads
They see you approaching but do nothing been attacked twice one running one cycling pisses me off

In all seriousness if you can’t hear your surroundings it’s pretty dangerous.

Deaf people?

Seriously though, headphones are a thing now, people are listening to podcasts audiobooks, music whatever, and they're not going away. It's up to cyclists to give way and make sure these folk are as safe as they can be, even if sometimes that means paying more attention to their safety than they perhaps are or should be themselves. Especially so on super popular shared routes like the TPT

In all seriousness if you can’t hear your surroundings it’s pretty dangerous.

Which is not the same as saying people shouldn't use headphones etc. I've had a few conversations with people who want to tell me how dangerous it is - while having earbuds in and music playing gently in the background. Usually takes them a while to twig.

Runners not too bad, generally go in straight line and when you cycle slowly to one side they notice you. It's roller bladers that annoy me, weaving back and forth, taking uo the whole width, oblivious to everything.

It’s roller bladers that annoy me,

Is that as you cruise along on your alpinestars drop stay or your Trek y22 back in the 90s ? Cannot recall the last time I saw someone on rollerblades in the wild.

I only use one earbud if I'm anywhere even vaguely busy, cycling or running. It's just common sense really, but, you know...

Runner was killed near me, running with headphones, stepped off pavement to avoid someone, bus hit him from behind. Sadly killed. Narrow stretch of main road with small pavement, I always cycle on pavement on this stretch just not worth the risk.

I know a cyclist who wears headphones cycling, I ve told her loads of times not to.

I don't see an issue riding or running with earphones in, so long as the person accepts that they cannot hear the outside world and has to take account of this in their actions. You can't just step out into the road without looking, you can't hog the middle of the path, you can't jump out of your skin and throw a strop if there's a close pass that takes you by surprise.

On a related note, has anyone else noticed more drivers wearing earphones/headphones?