Music while riding - Legal or Not

[jason1]

Hi , Just wondering if listening to my Ipod while riding is Legal? Dont really get on with ear plugs ,so just listen to music , not too loud and can still here all i need to . Heard through a friend someone got fined £200 notes for this , from Mr Plod . 

[Punkstig]

I don't see how it would be illegal!

[keirravn]

Not illegal, whoever apparently got fined it was probably driving without due care or some such and they made up some nonsense to cover their shame.

[darrsi]

The thought of not hearing as much as possible around me, and having my attention sidetracked by music gives me the shudders!
Definitely not for me, but each to their own.

[AdieR]

Not illegal, but you need to remember that in a car the sound is more "ambient" (thus less distracting), not next to your eardrums like it is with headphones.
I do it occasionally, usually to break motorway tedium.

[His Dudeness]

I've listened to music a few times on the bike and I found it very dodgy so it wouldn't be for me but ear plugs are a must on the motorway

[Mattsplat]

I wouldnt work without music, I dont ride without music.
 
But if Im hooning with my mates and the 'tempo' starts getting a bit frantic, then I turn it off, its time to focus!

[unfazed]

Tried it once and found it affected my concentration, not for me, but it is not illegal in Ireland or the UK.
I would think there is more to the friend story than just listening to music.

[mickvp]

It is not illegal no, However, it could constitute an offense if the music causes enough of a distraction to affect the standard of your riding - then it would come under driving without due care and attention.

It is legal to drive if you are deaf though, so, no, I dont see how the headphones themselves can cause an issue (other than a possible cause for distraction, as I said above).

[Doddsie]

I wouldnt work without music, I dont ride without music.
 
But if Im hooning with my mates and the 'tempo' starts getting a bit frantic, then I turn it off, its time to focus!

Isnt it ALWAYS time to focus?????

[unfazed]

I wouldnt work without music, I dont ride without music.
 
But if Im hooning with my mates and the 'tempo' starts getting a bit frantic, then I turn it off, its time to focus!

Isnt it ALWAYS time to focus?????

I would have thought the same .

[JZS 600]

If it was illegal wouldn't car stereos be banned?

[stevierst]

I've got headphones and an iPod shuffle integrated in my helmet with a remote control on the outside. I ride about 40 miles a day, about 1/2 on the M55. Its boring without my tunes, but as soon as I'm filtering or on the twisties, the music's off, and I'm switched on.
For long commutes or touring, its an absolute necessity in my eyes.
As for legality, na its not even mentioned in road traffic law. And how can a cop prove it was switched on unless you tell him?

[JZS 600]

Funnily enough the song that goes through my head when I'm riding to work in the morning is the last song I heard on the radio before setting off,,,,

[Mattsplat]

I wouldnt work without music, I dont ride without music.
 
But if Im hooning with my mates and the 'tempo' starts getting a bit frantic, then I turn it off, its time to focus!

Isnt it ALWAYS time to focus?????

I would have thought the same .

OK, that was an incorrect choice of word.
I mean when its time to get my 'race face' on 

[JZS 600]

So no Prodigy on the I Pod then,,,

[Doddsie]

As said earlier, music in a car is ambient noise, half the time you dont even hear whats on, when you are wearing head phones the sound is right in your ear. While it might not be illegal, surely it must affect safety? car horns and sirens etc cant be heard from as far away, there have been a number of posts on here about odd noises coming from peoples bikes, these also would go unheard. And if it doesnt affect peoples concentration, why turn it off when the gas gets turned up??? I personally like to hear my bike and whats going on around me, but each to their own. 

[Kentish]

Not illegal at all. You are better of buying a bluetooth motorcycle kit they adjust the noise levels automatically to suit background noise.

[jason1]

Thanks all for the info , thought it was ball shit and not illegal . Best to check with you all . Really want a bluetooth headset , thats when the wallet will allow

[Kentish]

Thanks all for the info , thought it was ball shit and not illegal . Best to check with you all . Really want a bluetooth headset , thats when the wallet will allow

The new Scala rider Q1 has a built in FM radio

[Arfa]

Just to clarify, we talking about music through ear plugs, yes? That was what you're acquaintance who was fined was using, right?

As a few weeks ago a chap on a blinged out green Ninja pulled up beside me in London, with huge speakers attached to his handle bars, blaring tunes out. Bit mad really, could see a copper pulling him up for disturbing the peace or playing music without a public entertainment license or some such bollox.

That said, don't Pan Europeans,  Goldwings etc have built in radios?

[budgiemurray]

If it was illegal you bouldnt be allowed to sekl headsets in helmets etc..

From what im lead to believe in ear  earphones are illegal due to blocking out ambient soubd but speakers are fine

Budgie

[stevierst]

From what im lead to believe in ear  earphones are illegal due to blocking out ambient soubd but speakers are fine

Where would that lead us with ear plugs then?

[darrsi]

From what im lead to believe in ear  earphones are illegal due to blocking out ambient soubd but speakers are fine

Where would that lead us with ear plugs then?

Ear plugs aren't pumping music into your lugholes!

[stevierst]

Where would that lead us with ear plugs then?

 
Ear plugs aren't pumping music into your lugholes!

whether they are, or aren't, its still not unlawful!