Where do you draw the line between the law and common sense? Over the last few days, I have begun to question my own beliefs on this subject. One of the first expressions I taught my children was “Live and let live.” In the same breath, I probably told them that wearing a bicycle helmet should be a law.

I was glad to see the governing body of cycling, the UCI, institute a mandatory helmet law for professional cyclists back in 2003. This followed the tragic death of professional cyclist Andrei Kivilev during the second stage of Paris-Nice in 2003. The UCI had tried to institute helmets before and had reversed their decision after protests and strikes by riders. With one of the most promising members now dead, there was no protest - and the UCI has strengthened the law since, to my pleasure.

Now a law proposed by New York State Senator Carl Kruger has me starting to wonder. When should we stop trying to protect people from themselves? Sen. Kruger wants to ban electronic devices on the streets of New York State, which would mean that you would not be able to listen to your iPod while running or cycling in the empire state.

I do not use an iPod when riding. I prefer to get lost in my own thoughts and enjoy the solitude. I do, however, see quite a few riders wearing the familiar white earbuds while riding. Are they distracted as Sen. Kruger suggests? No more so than me going through the day’s events in my head.

I think we are pushing the ‘protection’ concept too far here. After a while, we need to stop trying to legislate every aspect of a person’s life and “live and let live.”

As long as they wear a helmet.