Bicyclist and drivers no longer allowed to wear earbuds or headphones

Starting Jan. 1, motorists and bicyclists will no longer be allowed to wear headphones, earbuds or earplugs. Some in the cycling community say this is going to be a change.

“I know that it’s designed to keep us safe. It is nice to listen tomusic from time to time but we want to keep cyclists safe out there,” said cyclist Frank Pinto.

Pinto works at Bay Bikes in Monterey. A longtime cyclist, he said he welcomes any law that helps make the roads safer. But other riders aren’t so sure.

“If it’s a fact that conditions on the road are improved without ear buds then I think it’s a good idea. But I think the jury is still out about that,” said cyclist and Velo Club Monterey president Matthew Sundt.

And music lovers don’t need to start panicking yet. The bill SB491 states just one ear must be exposed to traffic. Lawmakers said it’s to make sure everyone on the road can hear emergency alerts like sirens and horns.

“It could save lives and prevent accidents so I think it’s a good law…not hearing is not seeing,” said motorcyclist Russ Jackson.

The law doesn’t apply to people driving emergency vehicles like firefighters or those running construction equipment and garbage trucks. But cyclists like Pinto said it make a difference.

“There is no compatibility for heavy metal around you when you come into contact with a car. So want to keep people safe,” said Pinto.