Cycling and Music: Should You Wear Headphones While Riding? Balancing Safety and Enjoyment

This is a debate that never seems to end in the cycling world: should you wear headphones and listen to music while riding?

Supporters say: “Music is what motivates me to ride. With a song at just the right tempo, even climbing doesn’t feel tiring.” Opponents say: “If you’re wearing headphones you can’t hear cars coming from behind — it’s too dangerous.” The truth is, there’s no single right answer to this question, but there are smarter ways to approach it.

Let’s Look at the Data First: The Link Between Headphones and Cycling Accidents

Many people instinctively assume that cycling with headphones is dangerous, but the actual research findings are more complicated than you might expect.

A 2020 study in the United States analyzed 2,000 bicycle accidents and found that riders wearing headphones accounted for about 3.5% of accidents. Considering that roughly 25-30% of riders use headphones, this figure is actually not particularly high. The study concluded that distraction (looking at a phone, chatting with a companion) is more dangerous than wearing headphones.

However, another study from the Netherlands found that riders wearing in-ear headphones had a reaction time to approaching vehicles from behind that was delayed by about 0.3-0.5 seconds. At a speed of 30 km/h, that translates to a difference of 2.5-4 meters in reaction distance. In certain situations, that could be the difference between avoiding danger and not.

Conclusion: Headphones themselves are not the main cause of accidents, but they do reduce your ability to perceive ambient sound. The key lies in “how you wear them” and “where you ride.”

What Do Taiwan’s Regulations Say?

A common misunderstanding needs to be clarified here.

Current Regulations (Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act)

Taiwan’s current regulations do not explicitly prohibit wearing headphones while cycling. Within the Road Traffic Safety Rules, provisions concerning bicycles focus on the following points:

• Traffic signals must be obeyed
• Carrying a passenger is not allowed (with exceptions)
• Lights must be used at night
• Riding under the influence is prohibited

However, motorcycle riders are explicitly prohibited from wearing headphones (Article 31-1 of the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act), with violators subject to a fine of NT$1,000.

Actual Enforcement

Although the regulations do not explicitly prohibit wearing headphones while cycling, if an accident occurs because of headphone use, it may be considered a contributing factor when determining fault. In other words, the law won’t fine you, but if something happens, you may end up bearing more responsibility.

How Other Countries Handle It

• Japan: Most local governments prohibit listening to music at a volume that “impairs safety” while cycling
• France: Wearing headphones while cycling has been banned since 2015
• Germany: Not banned, but riders must be able to hear traffic sounds
• United States: Varies by state; some states allow single-ear use

Bone-Conduction Headphones: The Best Solution?

Bone-conduction headphones don’t plug into your ears. Instead, they transmit sound to your inner ear through vibrations conducted via the cheekbone, allowing you to listen to music while still hearing what’s happening around you. This technology has become increasingly popular in the cycling world.

Pros and Cons of Bone-Conduction Headphones

Pros:

• They don’t block your ear canal, so you can hear ambient sound at the same time
• Sweat doesn’t affect the seal (unlike in-ear headphones)
• No discomfort when wearing a helmet
• No ear canal discomfort during long periods of use

Cons:

• Sound quality is not as good as traditional headphones (bass performance in particular is weaker)
• Hard to hear clearly in loud environments (such as riding into headwind or in heavy traffic)
• Higher price
• Sound leakage (people nearby may be able to hear your music)

Recommended Bone-Conduction Headphones

Shokz OpenRun Pro (NT$4,990)

• Weight: 29g
• Battery life: 10 hours
• Water resistance: IP55
• Review: Top-tier sound quality among bone-conduction headphones, with noticeably improved bass

Shokz OpenRun (NT$3,690)

• Weight: 26g
• Battery life: 8 hours
• Water resistance: IP67
• Review: The best value option, with excellent water resistance

Shokz OpenSwim (NT$3,290)

• Weight: 29g
• Built-in 4GB storage
• Water resistance: IP68
• Review: Does not support Bluetooth streaming — music must be loaded in advance, suitable for riders who don’t want to carry a phone

Oladance OWS Sports (NT$5,490)

• Open-ear design (not bone conduction, but doesn’t plug the ear)
• Sound quality closer to traditional headphones
• Suitable for riders who prioritize audio quality

Recommendations for Different Riding Scenarios

Scenario 1: Riverside Bike Paths

Risk level: Low
Recommendation: Bone-conduction headphones with music can be used, with volume kept at 60-70%
Reason: Separated from vehicle traffic, moderate speed, simple road conditions

Scenario 2: Urban Commuting

Risk level: High
Recommendation: No headphones of any kind are recommended
Reason: 100% attention is required — buses, taxis, and pedestrians behave unpredictably. Sounds of vehicles approaching from behind are an important safety cue

Scenario 3: Mountain Climbs

Risk level: Medium
Recommendation: Bone-conduction headphones can be used on the climb (slower speed, less traffic); it’s recommended to remove them on the descent (higher speed, requires full concentration)
Reason: On climbs, speed is slow and the surrounding environment changes little; on descents, full attention is required

Scenario 4: Group Rides

Risk level: Medium-high
Recommendation: Headphones are not recommended
Reason: Group rides require hearing verbal cues from riders ahead and behind (“Car!”, “Pothole!”, “Slowing down!”); headphones seriously interfere with this communication

Scenario 5: Indoor Trainer / Indoor Riding

Risk level: None
Recommendation: Anything goes! Wear whatever headphones you like, and turning the volume all the way up is fine too
Reason: No traffic risk

Alternatives: Listening to Music Without Headphones

Bluetooth Speakers

Attach a small Bluetooth speaker to your handlebars or keep it in a jersey pocket.

Pros: Doesn’t block your ears; others can also hear approaching hazards along with you
Cons: May disturb other path users; sound quality is heavily affected by wind noise
Recommendation: JBL Clip 4 (NT$1,790), compact and lightweight, can be clipped onto a bike bag

Note: Using an external speaker on a quiet bike path may disturb other road users — please keep the volume controlled and stay aware of reactions from those around you.

Helmets with Built-In Speakers

A small number of helmet brands (such as Sena and Coros) offer cycling helmets with built-in speakers.

Pros: No extra equipment needed; doesn’t block the ears
Cons: Limited helmet choices, higher price, average sound quality

What to Listen to While Riding: Playlist Suggestions

The tempo (BPM) of music affects your riding rhythm, and making good use of this can help with pacing.

Pacing Reference Table

Podcasts Are Also a Great Choice

On long-distance endurance rides, listening to a podcast can distract your mind (from fatigue, not from road conditions) more effectively than music. Choose an interesting interview-style show, and an 80km ride will be over before you know it.

Recommended Podcasts:

• “The Cycling Podcast”: Discussion of international cycling races
• “Bailingguo News”: Relaxed international news coverage (good for long rides)
• “Mario’s Drinking Buddy”: In-depth interviews across various industries

Hearing-Related Safety Alternatives

If you do choose to wear headphones, the following methods can help compensate for the reduced awareness of sound:

1. Rear-View Mirrors

Install a rear-view mirror on the end of your handlebars or on your helmet, using vision instead of hearing to monitor traffic from behind.

• Recommended: Zefal Spy (handlebar-end mount, NT$450)

2. Radar Taillights

Devices like the Garmin Varia RTL can detect vehicles approaching from up to 140 meters behind and display a warning on your bike computer or phone.

• Price: NT$5,990
• Review: Described by many riders as “gear that changes the riding experience”

3. Build the Habit of Looking Back

Whether or not you’re wearing headphones, regularly glancing back to check the road behind you is a good habit to maintain.

Conclusion

Whether or not to wear headphones while cycling is ultimately a personal choice. But make an informed choice — understand the risks, know the regulations, choose suitable equipment, and adjust based on the situation.

If you decide to wear headphones, bone conduction is currently the safest option, paired with a rear-view mirror or radar taillight. If you decide not to, that’s fine too — wind, birdsong, roadside conversations — this “natural soundtrack” is quite pleasant in its own right.

Most important of all: no matter what’s playing in your ears, your eyes and mind should always stay on the road.

Related Reading

• Cycling and Music: A Guide to Headphone Use and Culture While Riding
• Cycling and Music: Safety Debates and Alternatives for Wearing Headphones While Riding
• Music Choices for Cycling: BPM Recommendations Matched to Different Training Intensities
• Cycling and Music: Playlists and Rhythm Pairing for Riding