with ear buds, while riding in VA?

No, but you won't get hassled.

I thought about that a while back as well, but I would advise against it. You want to have ALL your senses about you when you ride, including being able to hear outside noises. (Sirens, horns, etc.) Hell, just the sound of my engine is music to my ears!

For what it's worth, after all the egging on by a couple of my riding buddies, I now do listen to an MP3 player when on our long trips.

Here's are the caveats, though:

* I do not blare the music
* I do not use noise-canceling ear buds
* I do not listen to music likely to make me too relaxed (read, sleepy)

So I can hear important outside noises, I no longer have headaches after 10 hours or more of listening to wind rush in my ears, and it actually helps keep me alert.

I have not checked, but my gut tells me it is illegal in most states, however.

When I ride and listen to the ipod, I only use one ear bud. The other crapped out on the Mrs. at the gym so I just lopped it off and use it on the bike now. Can't be any worse that a head set for a cell phone that I wear when I cage around ...

Legally, in VA, I believe it is illegal (what ******* isn't). I know it is in cars.

Realistically, if I'm stopped and a car comes up behind me at 85MPH with it's horn blowing, I want at least a couple of seconds to kiss my a$$ goodbye...

Rich

This may help:

§ 46.2-1078. Unlawful to operate motor vehicle, bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, or moped while using earphones. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle, bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, or moped on the highways in the Commonwealth while using earphones on or in both ears. For the purpose of this section, "earphones" shall mean any device worn on or in both ears that converts electrical energy to sound waves or which impairs or hinders the person's ability to hear, but shall not include (i) any prosthetic device that aids the hard of hearing, (ii) earphones installed in helmets worn by motorcycle operators and riders and used as part of a communications system, or ... (blah blah blah)

So, with that said. You can legally listen in one ear only.

I've been married so long, I don't think I've listened with both ears in quite some time...

Deedot wrote:
This may help:

§ 46.2-1078. Unlawful to operate motor vehicle, bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, or moped while using earphones. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle, bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, or moped on the highways in the Commonwealth while using earphones on or in both ears. For the purpose of this section, "earphones" shall mean any device worn on or in both ears that converts electrical energy to sound waves or which impairs or hinders the person's ability to hear, but shall not include (i) any prosthetic device that aids the hard of hearing, (ii) earphones installed in helmets worn by motorcycle operators and riders and used as part of a communications system, or ... (blah blah blah)



Awesome. Thank you. Do you have the source?

TampaSVT wrote:
...I've been married so long, I don't think I've listened with both ears in quite some time...

Priceless!