Originally Posted by alan s (Post 20931717)

I find riding a bike enjoyable enough not to need music or voices supplementing the experience. Driving a car is different. Anything to help pass the time driving is better.

Originally Posted by mstateglfr (Post 20942733)

The odds of me ever appearing in front of a judge and jury due to cycling are so small and insignificant that it isnt even worth me considering this as a reason to not wear ear buds.

If I did find myself in your hypothetical, then I would try to rationally explain that in my experience, ear buds dont distract me from seeing or hearing what is going on around me.
Its ironic that music can blast in a car thru the speakers and the driver's hearing is limited, but that isnt an issue in your hypothetical...

Originally Posted by mstateglfr (Post 20942736)

I get that you said this is only for you and not projected on others, but i mean come on now, it shouldnt be a surprise that your wording is taken as projecting your view on others.

Originally Posted by KraneXL (Post 20942759)

An explanation wouldn't work, the judge will rule on the law. In my state you can't cover both ears. Although it is unlikely you still don't want to be that guy. Police tried to give me a ticket once for taking the lane to avoid an obstacle.

As for the loud music in the car I couldn't agree more. However, there is a psychological effect that headphone have of isolating you from your environment that's not quite the same in a car.

Even when I walk with headphones I have to keep a special awareness of my environment. I have crossed the street at least once without looking. That was enough proof for me.
On the other hand, isn't that what our leaders do?

Originally Posted by RubeRad (Post 20942653)

Does it actually press firmly on bone? Does it get sore after wearing for a long time? I get soreness from sunglasses gently pinching for hours at a time