I have looked at this thread 10 times now without saying a thing, but I guess I looked one to many times. LOL

Are those of you that don't listen to music saying that someone that is deaf, should not ride, or run, or jog?
I listen to my music when I am on the road by myself, or when it is just DH and I. I don't wear them on organized rides or with groups, I keep one ear open to be able to hear other things going on and I don't listen to it extremely loud. With that said, I got to thinking about "what about deaf folks". Isn't the problem more about people not watching out for one another rather than hearing. I mean it is a plus to have all senses, but what about the deaf.
When I ride, I ride to the right. I don't go all swervy curvey all over the road, even when I am alone, before I do any turning, I look over my shoulder, to look for anything that might be coming. I think my eyes do a whole lot more of the work to keep me safe than my ears.
The organized ride I went on Saturday, out of over a 1000 people, I had 1 or 2 people call out as they passed, I did a whole lot better watching out for folks than trying to listen because they weren't letting me know anything in advance anyway, I even had folks coming around me on the right even though I was alomost all the way over anyway. So I am just wondering if the issue isn't more about people not following our own biking rules, than it is about hearing. I mean it reminds me of the folks driving cars that think the road is all about them and everyone else better by God get out of their way because the rules are for everyone else but not them.
I agree you shouldn't totally have the music real loud and in both ears with no way to hear anything, but I see people get distracted and not pay attention without music, as much as with it.
Just a thought.
I try to be as safe as possible and would never want to endanger someone else for sure, but I do like my music to keep me motivated but happily ride without it when I am with others.