You could use a chatterbox. I don’t know about controlling the ipod while riding. Best bet would be to set up a playlist and put it on random repeat.
Is it safe? could be a distraction and if you have it too loud you can damage your ears, but at a reasonable volume witht he ear plug type headphones you are actually helping your hearing by blocking out wind. I use the ear plug type headphones and I worried about sirens and noises I should hear. These don’t seem to be a problem. Of course I don’t turn up the volume to ride. I keep it at the same level that I do here in the office. The cut down on wind noise, but at about 75 the wind is hard enough that it is starting to overwhelm the music. Just think of how loud that is without hearing protection.
You will likely get a bunch of differing opinions on the safety of this. It isn’t the safest but neither are earplugs, but I think having something blocking wind noise is essential.
“I am the best there is at what I do, and what I do ain’t nice.”-Wolverine