In the news

http://road.cc/content/news/144737-lord-calls-ban-cyclists-using-earphones

this comment sums it up, really

Blame the victim again.

the ears ought to assist in identifying impending danger from behind.

Err, how exactly? When I am riding in traffic every vehicle overtaking me sounds the same. How do I tell the dangerous ones? And then what do I do? Hop on the pavement as a precaution?

So loud stereo systems in cars are not a problem? What about deaf or hard-of-hearing riders? Ban them from cycling?

I doubt Lord Scott of Foscote has any cycling experience in central London