How can you see what’s behind you without looking back in this situation?

Don’t wear headphones when you’re walking on a narrow trail that people also bike on.

Wear bone induction headphones, they’re so much safer. You can hear the outside world and can still hear bicycles approaching. Also, walk single file. Respect the two-way traffic. Bicyclists have few places that are safe. They’ll take having to deal with rude pedestrians over rude drivers. Because ..physics.

Why can’t you look back?
Hold up your phone for the reflection.

Or, how about these? https://trieye.com/products/view-sport-dual-standard?variant=40757672935467&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=20541461492&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwvIWzBhAlEiwAHHWgvQM7wVadRp1ZAUa7I9FJcKf6niceSJlOzduWYSUsXJ35Joll7Qi8hRoC70gQAvD_BwE

My mother would never let me wear headphones that I could not hear someone talking to me, let alone not hear traffic coming at me. Mama is right.

They could just walk in a single file. They must not be talking if they have headphones or earbuds in their ears.

I just don’t understand people who would do this? Did they grow up in a small town with zero crime and no traffic?

I see women walking or jogging alone with headphones on in areas not very populated and I think it’s crazy.

I have a small clip on mirror for my bicycle helmet. It will work on a ball cap if you wear one.

“Take a look activity mirror.”

Thanks jellies!

@canidmajor Thanks so much for that link. It’s a two hour walk with on and off side by side talking interspersed with music listening between two people. You tend to forget the constant need to check your six and tuning in for sounds coming from behind.

@Blackwater_Park Thanks! I think that kind of headphones you mentioned is the better option to noise-canceling ones.

How about during the times when you’re not talking and want to wear headphones, you walk single file only on the right so bikers can pass – although I still feel it’s best to be able to listen at all times.

Rule of thumb is to not wear headphones when hiking, biking, etc.
Typical hiking narrow trails also suggest single file even related to bikers and hikers coming from the front.

@janbb It’s a must to be able to hear all sounds from behind at all times. And if one can’t listen in then one should see what’s behind there.

When the person walking in the back forgets and quickly switches to walking alongside to talk…that’s when the risk of getting hit by a biker increases. Some of them bikers do not actually call out believe it ot not.

You are walking out in nature. Why are you immersed in headphones? Unplug.

Another option is the bicycle helmet mirror. I actually found this one that mounts to eye glasses (I would imagine sun glasses too). Unfortunately this particular item is out of stock on Amazon…but you get the idea.

^^Thanks. Two hours walking out in nature is too long a time to unplug imo. Music and nature is also a great combination.

@mazingerz88 If you can’t live without your music for two hours maybe find a trail that doesn’t allow bikers. This whole work-around thing seems silly to me.

Ooooo!!! I’ve got it!
Pair your phones to the other person’s device. Tell your walking partner what you want to listen to. Then set the ear buds to automatically switch to “Transparency” mode. when you speak. (My Pixel 8 Pro with ear buds has that feature.)
When you speak, the other person’s device will go off “noise cancelling” and switch to “transparency” so they can hear you clearly. When they answer, your device will do the same for a few seconds so you can hear them.
This way you can walk single file, within Bluetooth distance, so the cyclists can pass easily.

^^Thank you! :)

I can tell you that every single person on a trail or greenway is wearing earbuds of some type. Every. Last. Person. A simple bicycle bell does not work anymore. After being launched 10 yards or so off my bike from someone running a stop sign on their phone, trails, and greenways are the only safe places for me to ride a bicycle. I’m very respectful of pedestrians. I don’t fly by them or get in their way but they are completely oblivious to their surroundings.