I got so confused while reading your arguments between uke and you that I forgot which laws you were fighting over However I always find it easier to bias for the person who doesn't post massive pics with sayings on them.

Not true.

Everything is allowed unless there is a law that says it isn't. There's no point in passing a law that says something is allowed unless it is created to usurp a lower government's law that says it isn't.

What if Elmer Fudd was in an electric car with a Klingon cloaking device and snuck up on you...weally, weally quiet? It could happen!

Ok let's go with this logic for a second. Most states require vehicles to be equipped with mirrors, so that means since the rules of the road apply to cyclists, you must ride with mirrors, right?

I don't think so...but nice try.

The new hybrids (not just the Prius) have caused me some concern. I often listen for the hum of the tires and the engine but the Prius' engine is not loud enough to notice so it throws me off a bit. I'm still getting used to that. Luckily the folks with the hybrid Lexus aren't as concerned for the environment as they are with they're status symbol and gun the motor to pass most cyclist.

I think it depends on how the laws are written. In california there are codes that specifically relate to the equipment of a motor vehicle and separately that of a bicycle, but then that a bicyclist is subject to the "duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle".

But they also include bicycles specifically regardling "headsets"

I suppose it is possible that a state's code may be written that way but it is probably more likely that a bicycle and motor vehicle's equipment are defined separately, as in California. I learned my lesson last night so I'm not going to claim that must be the case.

I've researched the handlebar thing before but searched again and the closest I could find for California is
Which requires the rider to be able to keep one hand on the bar but does not require actually keeping a hand on the bars.

Since Illinois was brought up...

(625 ILCS 5/1‑125.7)
Sec. 1‑125.7. Headset receiver. Any device, other than a hearing aid, designed to be worn on a person's head that enables the wearer to hear or receive electronic communications.
(Source: P.A. 90‑89, eff. 1‑1‑98.)

(625 ILCS 5/12‑610) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑610)
Sec. 12‑610. Headset receivers.
(a) Except as provided under Section 11‑1403.3, no driver of a motor vehicle on the highways of this State shall wear headset receivers while driving.
(b) This Section does not prohibit the use of a headset type receiving equipment used exclusively for safety or traffic engineering studies, by law enforcement personnel on duty, or emergency medical services and fire service personnel.
(c) This Section does not prohibit the use of any single sided headset type receiving and transmitting equipment designed to be used in or on one ear which is used exclusively for providing two‑way radio vocal communications by an individual in possession of a current and valid novice class or higher amateur radio license issued by the Federal Communications Commission and an amateur radio operator special registration plate issued under Section 3‑607 of this Code.
(d) This Section does not prohibit the use of a single‑sided headset or earpiece with a cellular or other mobile telephone.
(Source: P.A. 92‑152, eff. 7‑25‑01.)

(625 ILCS 5/1‑146) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 1‑146)
Sec. 1‑146. Motor vehicle. Every vehicle which is self‑propelled and every vehicle which is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires, but not operated upon rails, except for vehicles moved solely by human power and motorized wheelchairs. For this Act, motor vehicles are divided into two divisions:
First Division: Those motor vehicles which are designed for the carrying of not more than 10 persons.
Second Division: Those motor vehicles which are designed for carrying more than 10 persons, those motor vehicles designed or used for living quarters, those motor vehicles which are designed for pulling or carrying freight, cargo or implements of husbandry, and those motor vehicles of the First Division remodelled for use and used as motor vehicles of the Second Division.
(Source: P.A. 85‑1010.)

So, you win

Now, now umd, you are starting to obsess.

I've got the 1st gen iPod charged up and I'm ready to take a nice ride around the secluded back roads of my neighborhood. Anybody that thinks I'm putting anybody at risk on this particular ride hasn't a clue so don't judge me.

I wish I had the patience and smarts to read all that.

It's what I do

Enjoy

You ain't figured out yet that cycling is the ONLY place you little weenies got a shot at beating me at anything?

god... what kind of music DO you listen to if you call it "artificial noise"? I feel for you.


*edit - oh, and I listen to the ipod when I ride alone, just not too loud. Never on group rides.

Thanks, I did. You know when I come across a situation where it may be helpful to hear, it doesn't take much to pause the machine.

You ride with mirrors on your bike, how cute.

Today I turned my iPod off briefly. I started hearing my bike making all sorts of noises and trucks coming up from behind, so I turned it back on. What a relief!

as far as the law goes concerning earphones, i guess it may vary by state, but i know that in NY state you may only wear an earphone in 1 ear for it to be considered legal. i'm not going to say that i didn't break that law earlier today though...

and like others, i always use an iPod when i ride alone, and never when i ride with a group. i know someone that used to use one when he rode with groups, and was one of the most hated riders because of it. i personally find that disrespectful, because communication is very important when riding with a group...

Sure, you heard the trucks -- but as they were passing, could you hear what was right behind them? Or were they still friggin' loud, drowning out everything else (including the noises your bike was making)?

Ill take a chance. Not to bad traffic wise here anyhow. I cant stand to not have it on. Cept for at the beach. I dont wear it there.

BTW it's iPod.

**** THAT. **** NO. NO WAY IN HELL. NEVER!!!!

I would ****ing kill myself before I rode with my ipod again.

I usually always rode with it on my cruiser, but after my first ride on my real bike I will never look back. I got half way into my ride and I just ****ing ripped that **** out of my ears and put it in my pocket. Not dangerous, it just bothers me. I love music and I am never in my car longer than 30 seconds without music, but now I just will never ride with it. I used to think I would ride with it, but now... NEVER!!!!

and some of these guys have them on their cars too...and more than one! I think they're for something like 360 degree awareness or some horsecrap like that. Who needs that on a bike anyway?

Somebody said something about them being more necessary if you are in traffic. Silly stuff man.

I've been spelling iPod correctly.

Bothers you how? Makes you nervous?

I do never listen to music on my bike or whenever I'm training (running or cycling).

I once used my MP3 player while running but I found it annoying when the earphone kept falling because of the sweet in my ear.

On my bike I've never thought of using my MP3 because I hate it when other people do so and transform themselves in public dangers.

The idiots on BF (and there are so many of you) keep me entertained no matter what continent I'm on. Oddly enough, I am eternally in your debt.

Well aren't you special.