Rants

[Helios]

Nobody wants to rant about cyclists wearing headphones/earphones?
That's even more crazy than going out in black in the dark.

[RB]

I don't see a problem with headphones. Are you saying deaf people shouldn't be allowed to ride a bike?

[Helios]

Are blind people allowed to ride bikes on the road?
Are blind people allowed to drive?

Hearing what's coming up behind you is really important.
Especially on a bike when you have no mirrors and the slightest graze will send you into a tree.

[RB]

Obviously the blind aren't allowed to drive but the fact that the deaf are shows that hearing isn't that important.

[Helios]

I think that's crazy.
Being a cyclist and not listening to the things around you.
Madness.

[RB]

So you want the deaf banned from cycling? You monster

[Helios]

It's for their own good.
Actual deaf or wearing headphones deaf.
Stay off roads and walk/take transport instead.

[Ekona]

But if they're walking they can't hear traffic either

[Helios]

They're on the pavement.
Not underneath a lorry.

[Ekona]

But when they cross a road?

[Jezreel]

I think ward would have had a thing or two to say about this

[Helios]

I say cyclist.
You lot read pedestrian.
Damn blind people.

[Jezreel]

I can see what you're saying Helios, but I doubt you'd get much traction for a case. Lots of deaf people are very handicapable and riding a bicycle is perfectly possible and safe even when profoundly deaf.

[Helios]

What do you mean by "handicapable"?

Are you saying handicap-able or handi-capable?
I'm just confused.

[RB]

I think the word handicapped denotes lesser ability whereas handicapable denotes ability in spite of physical or mental function.