Bare beating is a recent phenomenon that is increasingly annoying public transport users. You've definitely experienced it; it's the tendency some people have to listen to music or make calls on speakerphone. An annoying practice in more ways than one that some politicians would like to punish.
Taking public transport isn't easy every day, between regular delays, the lack of seats, unpleasant smells, pickpockets, and even the tendency of some men to stretch out a little too much on the seats... A phenomenon you're familiar with perhaps under the name of manspreading in the language of Shakespeare.
But recently, another trend has been added to the long list of things that drive public transport users crazy: Bare beating.
Bare beating, an unbearable trend in transport
Behind this English name hides an annoyance that you are bound to be familiar with if you take the bus, train or metro regularly. To put it simply, it is this unbearable tendency that some people have to listen to music, watch videos or make phone calls with the sound turned up full without wearing earphones or headphones.
This phenomenon has exploded in recent years in transport, to the great displeasure of many users. “I find it unbearable. Honestly, you don't want to hear about people's lives. You have guys posting videos on Instagram or TikTok, and you hear everything. I hate it,” a Rennes user told 20 minutes. src="https://wp-pa.phonandroid.com/uploads/2025/06/bare-beating-transport.jpg">
Also read: Headphones: no, the government is not going to stop you from listening to your music in the street
A practice punished in France, but rarely reprimanded
In France, this practice is already punishable by law. Indeed, this is what Article 2241-18 of the French Transport Code stipulates: “In spaces and vehicles assigned to the public transport of passengers or goods, it is prohibited for any person to use, without authorization, sound devices or instruments, or to disturb the peace of others by noise or disturbances.”More concretely, offenders can be fined 150 euros. The problem is that sanctions are rare. Generally, ticket inspectors will first try to make the person see reason before issuing a ticket.
And then, a ticket inspector/police officer must be present in the vehicle at the time. Otherwise, and in the vast majority of cases, users who are victims of these incivilities avoid intervening themselves, particularly for fear that the situation will escalate. This is, in any case, what a study commissioned by the British Liberal Democrats reveals, reported by CNN.
This political party wants to apply zero tolerance
And precisely, this same party would like the country to adopt zero tolerance for bare beating enthusiasts. Concretely, the British Liberal Democrats are calling for a tightening of the law on noise pollution in transport. In particular, they want offenders to be able to be fined 1,000 pounds, or approximately €1,200.
“Far too many people dread their daily commute because of the scourge of antisocial behavior, and those who don't wear headphones and listen to music loudly on buses and trains are among the worst offenders,” said Lisa Smart, the party's home affairs spokeswoman, in The Independent.
The party has also launched a national awareness campaign to highlight those who have picked up this bad habit and encourage them to stop. “Everyone deserves to travel in peace. Playing loud music on public transport may seem harmless, but it demonstrates a growing tolerance for antisocial behavior that undermines public civility,” says Gareth Bacon, UK Transport Secretary. If the law passes, UK transport staff will have to undergo mandatory training on how to handle incidents involving antisocial behavior. Should this happen in France too? Let us know in the comments.
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