I find I can hear the road perfectly well, don't rely on my hearing anyway (looking around being far more important), and don't feel particularly more or less safe either way with headphones in. I certainly don't think I'm paying more or less attention with headphones on. Individual mileage will doubtless vary -- I know a couple of people who tend to get really engrossed in music & who probably would lose concentration, so not a good move for them :)
(I note that the vast, vast majority of drivers have both music on, and thick noise-reducing windows, and this isn't considered to be a problem.)
In anecdote news, in 10 yrs of cycling in London, at least 5 of which have been almost-invariably with headphones, I've had (touch wood) no traffic-related accidents*, & the customary handful of WHAT THE SOD ARE YOU DOING WHO TAUGHT YOU TO DRIVE? near-misses. So my reactions seem to continue to be up to scratch. Long may this continue &c.
* One bike-falling-apart accident, one clipless moment, three slippery-road-surface (two on the SAME DAMN BIT OF ROAD). I think I've fallen over my own two feet more often in that time... and my only broken bone ever was from falling over the dog. [sigh]
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Date: 2010-07-23 08:57 pm (UTC)(I note that the vast, vast majority of drivers have both music on, and thick noise-reducing windows, and this isn't considered to be a problem.)
In anecdote news, in 10 yrs of cycling in London, at least 5 of which have been almost-invariably with headphones, I've had (touch wood) no traffic-related accidents*, & the customary handful of WHAT THE SOD ARE YOU DOING WHO TAUGHT YOU TO DRIVE? near-misses. So my reactions seem to continue to be up to scratch. Long may this continue &c.
* One bike-falling-apart accident, one clipless moment, three slippery-road-surface (two on the SAME DAMN BIT OF ROAD). I think I've fallen over my own two feet more often in that time... and my only broken bone ever was from falling over the dog. [sigh]