Is biking with earphones in California Illegal?

Question

Is biking with earphones in California Illegal?

Answer 1

Yeah.

It's pretty stupid, right?  I can understand if you're out on a road and have the headphones turned up far too loud -- but parks and such are included, too.  For four years, I biked daily each summer, and each day a bit on roads and a bit on a public trail.  I have been in one accident -- the day I happened to NOT be wearing headphones.

Honestly, I think the law is pointless.

I'll try to find a source so you can see..

EDIT:  This is from the California Dept. of Motor Vehicles.

(http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc2...

(VC 27400..)

"27400.   A person operating a motor vehicle or bicycle may not wear a headset covering, or earplugs in, both ears. This prohibition does not apply to any of the following:

(a) A person operating authorized emergency vehicles, as defined in Section 165.

(b) A person engaged in the operation of either special construction equipment or equipment for use in the maintenance of any highway.

(c) A person engaged in the operation of refuse collection equipment who is wearing a safety headset or safety earplugs.

(d) A person wearing personal hearing protectors in the form of earplugs or molds that are specifically designed to attenuate injurious noise levels. The plugs or molds shall be designed in a manner so as to not inhibit the wearer's ability to hear a siren or horn from an emergency vehicle or a horn from another motor vehicle.

(e) A person using a prosthetic device that aids the hard of hearing.

Amended Sec. 45, Ch. 594, Stats. 2003. Effective January 1, 2004."

Answer 2

Yes it is if you have both ears plugged up. And it's also not a smart thing to do.

Answer 3

Most if not all states prohibit wearing earphones while riding. You need to be able to hear and be aware of your surroundings. A single earpiece might be legal (although I wouldn't recommend it); check your local laws.

Answer 4

If it's not illegal, it's pretty f'in stupid.