As the only one in this thread (so far) who actually commutes daily
in traffic, (part right smack through downtown Akron) here's a dirty little secret...I can still hear the cars coming while I am listening to music on my ear buds - heck I even have conversations with people at stop lights. If you can't hear, you have the music turned up too loud or the wrong kind of buds/headphones.
Now whether uke can actually get to 15mph while riding on the sidewalk is debatable!
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey