From Made in Queens
I’m probably preaching to the choir here, but there aren’t many downsides to riding a bike. There’s the snow, sure, but after watching cars slide down any road with an incline during #snOMG I’m pretty glad I ride instead.
The one thing that really gets to me is the lack of music. I sometimes take the bus just so I can listen to headphones, but that pales in comparison to driving in a car with the windows down and speakers blasting. I know I’m not alone; everyday on the Burke-Gilman, I see bikers wearing headphones. Stopped at a light, I asked a cyclist if he knew the way to the Ballard Goodwill, but it was like talking to a brick wall – no response. I thought he didn’t hear so I asked again before I noticed the headphones. Headphones kill communication between cyclists. I may as well be talking to someone in car.
So what can we do?
All is not lost. As these kids in Queens prove, creativity prevails.
For those that don’t want to lug a speaker-laden bike up Seattle’s hills, there are lighter, though much less cool, alternatives
Bike speakers: A quick google search turned up a surprising number of bicycle specific speakers. These speakers are waterproof and are designed for cycling. The iHome Bike-to-Beach speaker fits in a water bottle holder, connects to an ipod and has a remote control that attaches to the handlebars so you don’t have to reach down to change the song. I haven’t tried these out so I can’t vouch for them, but reviews seem positive. Most importantly they go loud!
Shower speakers: Stalwarts of any Sky Mall catalog, shower speakers are waterproof and cheaper than a bike specific sound system, but they’re not designed for cycling so there might be some drawbacks.
Singing: Need I say more?
Hope to see (or hear) you out there!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Cascade Bicycle Club, Kit R. Kit R said: RT @cascadebicycle: .: What's missing from bike #commuting http://bit.ly/gfnRLy #cycling #bikes [...]
I look forward to the next in the series, Enjoying Videos While Biking. Music is wonderful to be sure, but on the street my ears are listening for large speedy things that neither know or care that I’m in their path. Maybe I’m just an old bikie being cranky, but I’d like to see the younger bikies live long enough to get just as cranky as I am.
Hi Luke – I bought a pair of iHome portable mini speakers for touring a couple years ago and bust them out occasionally when riding around town. I don’t ride with headphones so the speakers are a nice alternative. I typically place them in a handlebar bag, where the angle of the sound projection means there isn’t too much sound “throw” beyond my bike and my person (basically, you can’t hear the tunes if you’re more than a few feet away). They’re very compact and rechargeable with a USB. The sound quality is great (I actually use them as my home speakers, as well) and they’re cheap, to boot!
Thanks David – that sounds pretty ideal. I’ve been toying with getting one myself and its good to hear they actually work. Could be a late christmas present!
I commuted a few times last winter with a Bern helmet that I got for snowboarding. It keeps my ears warm, has built-in earphones, and meets bike protection standards too. I plugged in my iPod Shuffle and cruised to work.
http://www.bernunlimited.com/Products/Helmets/Baker?helmetType=Snow
i have the ihome bike to beach speaker and it is awesome! i can’t recommend it enough. it makes me take the long route whenever possible. i was going deaf in my right ear from having just one earbud in all the time. get yourself 8 rechargeable AA batteries so that you can carry a fully charged set as extras. the speaker also comes with a fitted bag that you can put it in and strap it over your shoulder and take it along to, say, disc golfing. and if you have a friend who also has one, you can synch them up on your ride (pushing play on one of the remotes will control both ipods) and it becomes a surround sound experience! so fun!
seriously, i’m not into having “things” at all, but this is the only “thing” in my life that i just cannot live without.