Originally Posted by
antmeeks
I would think the one place where you definitely don't want to impair your hearing is while cars are driving around you.
How else would you know when they're coming from behind? Do you wear a mirror or something?
Nope, over shoulder or under the armpit glances. The traffic on a busy 4 lane/50mph road is pure white noise. A car that is going to hit you from behind doesn't sound any different from any of the other cars on the road. It's all about the eyes really.
I don't ride with earbuds much myself. Maybe once every other month or so. Rock some tunes or talk radio 'til I get out to the sticks.
I should point out that there are many mp3 player threads where you can view different people's opinions on earbuds, how on earth deaf people can ride bikes and other interesting subjects.