Just don't do it

I know you love your music. You might even love your iPod/MP3 player, which is frankly kind of creepy. I understand that you feel naked without something in/on/over your ears, hissing music quietly to innocent bystanders (and yes, being subjected to most popular music is the equivalent of assault IMO). But when you're on your bike, please: take them OFF. You are both a menace and are menaced when you ride with headphones in any context other than a spin class.

Menace: you can't hear people around you. Like me, passing you on your left because you're slow, calling out "on your left". More importantly, your mind isn't on your surroundings, so you aren't going to notice that kid shooting out of his driveway chasing a Frisbee until it's too late (and he sure isn't going to hear you, since you're on an essentially silent vehicle, not counting the hissing headphones).

Menaced: you can't hear people and cars around you. Like that car racing down the cross street, clearly oblivious to the red light he's about to blow through. Or the motor rev'ing as another driver prepares to turn across traffic into the driveway you're passing (and he's on his cell phone so he sure as hell hasn't noticed you). You can't hear that there's a car right behind you when you swerve suddenly to avoid the broken glass on the shoulder.

This _should_ be common sense. If you're using a bike to travel, take it seriously. Riding with headphones is NOT the same as playing the stereo in your car.