Can I listen to music while riding my bike?

Since beginning my new workout routine of riding my bike to work, there are some things – sweating in silence next to strangers; riding a spin bike in the semi-dark for an hour and not getting anywhere; communal showers and questionably clean workout equipment – that I just don't miss about the gym environment.


That being said, there is one thing missing from my workout – a soundtrack. Whether it's the spin instructor's music, timed to the minute to get the maximum out of our ride, or the music blaring from the gym's stereo system, tunes can help motivate the otherwise unmotivated exerciser.


But music on a bicycle is, generally, a very bad idea.  Mainly because music pumped through headphones can often hide the sounds of oncoming cars and other important audio clues that will keep a cyclist from getting squashed.



I've tried riding with music before. I have used the headphones that came with my iPhone, keeping one bud stuck in my right ear (opposite from traffic) and the other tucked into my jersey. While this solves the problem of missing the sounds around me, there is another problem – the ear bud regularly drops out of my ear, forcing me to take my hand off the handlebars (which, for someone who can't ride "no hands" is not a super idea). I've also tried using a bluetooth headset, but it turns out that most sets won't stay in my ear through the bounces and wind inflicted upon the unit during a ride. Also, the bluetooth connection to my phone was inconsistent, which may again be due to the wind and other environmental interference.



And while there is something to be said for not having a continued stream of music and enjoying the sounds of nature, there is nothing better for getting up a big hill then Bon Jovi's "Living on a Prayer."



So, it was with much excitement that I tried the Tunebug Shake which, when attached to a bike, skate or snowboard helmet, turns the helmet into a portable speaker. Playing with the Shake my husband and I discovered it works a lot like the music-playing toothbrushes my kids have. Connected to my iPhone by Bluetooth, you can hear the music playing softly, until you place it on a three-dimensional object, at which point the Shake uses the object to amplify the music. (You should have seen Steve and I running around the house touching objects – helmet, lamp, piggy bank, cookie jar – to listen to the music).



I've used the Shake on a few rides and really enjoyed the experience of having music playing on my ride. Today I tried streaming music from Pandora and didn't have any trouble receiving music during my entire 11 mile ride (plus, my "Glee – Don't Stop Believing Mix" delivered an excellent mix of show tunes, power ballads and 80's). I had no difficulties hearing the important sounds around me, but I did wonder what passing pedestrians thought of the cyclist with the sound streaming out of her helmet – I also wondered if I was on a group ride how my fellow riders would feel about having a soundtrack added to their ride. The sound controls were easy to access through raid buttons on the top of the Shake, and while the speaker does add a little weight to the helmet, it wasn't enough to cause any added pressure or discomfort.



I would also say it looks a little funny to have the speaker strapped to the top of my head, but I think that shipped sailed with the lavender helmet and spandex shorts.



At $120 the Shake may seem a little pricey, but for the cyclist, rollerblader, skier, snowboard or other helmet-wearer looking to listen to music safely, I think it's worth the investment, and will most likely be buying a Shake for my husband's birthday this fall.