I use a mirror, and I'm not deaf, so can I use earbuds? And don't tell me I'm distracted, unless every human being in a car with the radio on is equally distracted, and if that's the case then why is it legal to have the radio on in the car? Logically, this argument is flawed, it's a classic case of a law being stupid, and people just defending it. No one is telling you to ride with earbuds in. No one is telling you you should. No one is judging your riding, however you choose to do it, the only life you're risking on a bicycle is your own, and guess what, you have every right to risk it. If some other jerk mows me down because HE is distracted, my life ends because of his poor choice (I'd say that's a bit unfair). If my life ends because of my own action, while still slightly unfair, since I'm sure the penalty for having an earbud or two in under the law isn't death, at least it's on me. If I didn't wear earbuds, I might not look forward to riding as much, and as such, how many years would that take off the end of my life. My life, my choices, and people making arguments here when clearly the only one at fault was the taxi driver are part of what drives everyone crazy about the internet in general.

Joe