Teeny snip appeared in today's "Express" about a 32 year old woman cyclist who died after being involved in a collision with a lorry.
The 32 year old law student was listening to the tunes on her iPod when she reported fell off her bike and ended under the wheels of a lorry in Acton, West London. Her devastated and shocked friend believes that
Quote:
She would have heard the lorry if she hadn't had the iPod
Kevin Clinton - Head of reoad safety for RoSPA also tells the reporters that wearing iPod head phones (or even Walkman/CD) can be the difference between avoiding an accident and being hit.
Yeah - I know the militants will regard this as more "lycra laddering" - and trying to foist blame to the cyclist and not the lorry driver. Information per the press seems to indicate she did not hear the approaching lorry and lost balance at wrong second through some lapse in concentration.
Human beings do rely on ears to warn of danger just as much as eyes and smell. If driving - sound of dustbin men, ice cream vans, lorry engines, van engines, tractors, grass cutting machines ... all tell me something to expect - and I extend to my rides on my bicycle too.
Yes - I have my in-car stereo on at a low volume and I can well understand how riding in rhythm to fave tunes makes for a pleasurableride - but you have to ensure that volumes are not set at rate to prevent hearing vital traffic clues and also - there is a very real danger of damaging your hearing anyway by prolonged and loud use of these headphones.
Not bashing cyclists nor even suggesting that Patricia was to blame (and from the photo - I would say a sad loss of a woman with beautiful looks and a promising career and condolences to all reading who may know her)
- but we do need to ensure that if we listen to any musical device through any form of personal stereo - we do not compromise our safety or damage our hearing by playng these devices too loudly.
And if cycling - especially in towns - our ears can save our lives. Think about it and keep it safe ...