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| *Vultures Knob>>>Cycling |
Is it illegal to wear headphones in California? |
Is it illegal for a cyclist to wear headphones while riding in the state of California? Thanks for asking this question as I actually did not realize it was technically unlawful. I do it all the time, but with my headphones on (ear bud style), I can still hear everything outside, even the slightest sounds, such as if my chain is lightly grazing the chainstay. Just the same, the pertinent vehicle code is listed below: Wearing of Headsets or Earplugs 27400. A person operating a motor vehicle or bicycle may not wear a headset covering, or earplugs in, both ears. This prohibition does not apply to any of the following: (a) A person operating authorized emergency vehicles, as defined in Section 165. (b) A person engaged in the operation of either special construction equipment or equipment for use in the maintenance of any highway. (c) A person engaged in the operation of refuse collection equipment who is wearing a safety headset or safety earplugs. (d) A person wearing personal hearing protectors in the form of earplugs or molds that are specifically designed to attenuate injurious noise levels. The plugs or molds shall be designed in a manner so as to not inhibit the wearer's ability to hear a siren or horn from an emergency vehicle or a horn from another motor vehicle. (e) A person using a prosthetic device that aids the hard of hearing. Amended Sec. 45, Ch. 594, Stats. 2003. Effective January 1, 2004. Source(s): CVC 27400: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc2... California vehicle code index for bicycles: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vc/vc_i... Yes...and it's illegal everywhere else too. Reason: you MUST be able to hear what's going on around you, like horns, emergency sirens, etc. yes i think so. you have to be able to hear the cars and traffic horns, sirens, and such Its not so much that you can't hear, as that it distracts you and divides your attention. When you're wearing headphones or yapping on the cell, your brain doesn't react as quickly to external inputs. You're toast if something unexpected happens. Yes it is. And a serious cyclist NEVER wears headphones or earbuds ! We need to hear everything going on around us. The only people you'll see around here with headphones are homeless people on their stolen Walmart mountain bike. I didn't know it was law. It certainly is common sense. I do have a comment, a pet peeve if you will... I ride in a beautiful park quite often. The road is lightly traveled, the bike path smooth as well and runs deep into the woods. I enjoy riding there as I see animals, deer etc. it's quiet, air fresh etc. I rarely see any biker with headphones/earbuds on but "power walkers", bladers, dog walkers many times do. I let them know I'm behind them and they rarely hear me. All day we are assulted by noise, pollution, confusion etc. The park used to be a place for recreation and enjoying nature at it's best. Can't people unplug for an hour??? The worst thing is seeing a "power walker" (it's funny just to write that!) blabbing on the cell the entire hour or so walk. And they don't hear you either because they are 100% into their phone. They (99% women) don't even know they are in a park because they're in a useless, meaningless conversation. Why dress in running gear, drive 10 miles to a park to yap on the cell? You can walk by stepping out your front door. You don't have to wear bike shorts, sweat bands, Tri suits etc. to walk either. Walkers dress more "kit" then bikers, runners and bladers, with far less reason to. Now I feel better... |
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