Cycling and bone conduction: listening without cutting yourself off from the road

Riding with music without cutting yourself off from the road

On a bike, audio is no small matter: taking one ear off the traffic means giving up essential information — a horn, an approaching engine, a cyclist overtaking. Open-ear bone conduction offers a different approach: sound is transmitted by vibration of the skull bones, and the ear canal stays open.

What bone conduction does (general information)

A bone conduction headset rests on the temples and cheekbones. Micro-vibrations reach the inner ear directly, without going through the eardrum. Since nothing blocks the ear, you hear your music and the sounds of your surroundings at the same time. This is called situational awareness: the ability to stay attentive to what is around you while listening to audio content.

For a full explanation of the principle, see What is bone conduction?

What the MyVibe models deliver (product facts)

All five MyVibe models are open-ear bone conduction headsets. Four of them carry an IP55 protection rating: Is Good, Is Strong, Is Powerful and Is Powerful² Powered by ONKYO. An IP55 rating (IEC 60529 standard) means protection against dust and water jets — rain, sweat, splashes. These four models charge via USB Type-C. The Is Life model, certified IP68, is designed for immersion and swimming; it isn't necessary for cycling.

For a ride in changeable weather or a triathlon, Is Powerful and Is Powerful² Powered by ONKYO add Bluetooth 5.4 Dual Connect: two devices connected at the same time, for example a bike computer and a phone.

Listening safely: a few pointers

An open-ear design doesn't remove the need to watch your volume. The World Health Organization recommends limiting prolonged sound exposure — this general guidance applies to every type of listening (source: WHO, deafness and hearing loss). For the rules that apply to cyclists in your country (mandatory helmet, using earphones with a phone), check your local traffic code: this page is no substitute for the law.

Summary

• Bone conduction keeps the ear canal open: music + road sounds (general information).
• The Is Good, Is Strong, Is Powerful and Is Powerful² Powered by ONKYO models carry a verified IP55 rating (MyVibe product fact).
• Is Powerful and Is Powerful² Powered by ONKYO use Bluetooth 5.4 Dual Connect (MyVibe product fact).
• Volume remains a safety parameter whatever the listening format (general information, WHO source).

See also the factual range comparison.