ChezJfrey

The problem is...after it's sorted out, the moron probably took out a few hapless bystanders also.

Why is the justification always, "Well, I know it probably increases the chance of an 'accident,' but I do have an airbag and a seatbelt, so I'm sure I'll be OK," while never really caring about the risk to the rest of us?

Oh, wait, cell phone use while driving is just a way of life for us, PERIOD! I must've have missed the memo, because I just leave the phone OFF until I need to make a call. Not silent, but off. I never needed a phone every hour of every day for the first 27 years of my life, why start now?

I'm surely not sane.

progre-ss

When I ride, I carry my cell phone with me. If it rings and I actually here it and feel it vibrating in my cargo shorts pocket, I'll pull over and answer it. If it was an important call and I just happened to miss it, the caller will leave me a message. No sense in riding and talking. A distraction is a distraction whether you're on a bike or in a car and distractions can get you killed, PERIOD!

cryptid01

Well, then, me neither. It's funny, although I always make sure to take my phone if I'm driving somewhere in my truck (in case it breaks down and leaves me stranded), I've never felt the need to take it with me on a bike ride.

Rowan

Line me up after you at the lunatic asylum.

ngateguy

Lunitics are more fun

MaximusHQ

I think most people can see the point of bringing a cell phone on the ride for emergency purposes, which is what I always do. while I have no interest in talking to anyone while biking I have a friend I ride with occasionally who wouldn't hesitate to answer the phone or make calls while riding which I find rather funny. It's funny to watch him fiddle around for his phone which is in his short pocket usually and swerving in the process. When he finally does wipe out I can't say I would feel too sorry for him. I feel pulling over when receiving a call is fine, but he is one of those people who are surgically attached to their phone and I just can't relate to this. I usually ride alone at night on trails where there is just me and a lot of and wildlife so if I were to have a bad accident no one would find me for quite a while. I keep my cellphone easily accessible on my camelbak shoulder strap and also some pepper spray which would only anger some of the larger animals if used on them. I use a niterider cyclone hid light which I recently purchased and absolutely love. I also carry a flashlight and one of those large glow sticks you bend to break and glow for 8 hours or so as well as the usually stuff like spare tube, pump, tools etc. Well sorry for getting off topic here. In many cases cellphones are essential to carry and could possible save your life, or in cases like my friend who likes to chat all day on it, it could possibly contribute to ending your life. Anyway, be safe whatever you do while riding.

DnvrFox

Frequently forgotten in these discussion is the effect on:

1. The innocent driver of the car who hits and kills the errant bicycling cell phone user. Killing someone, even if you are not at fault, is a horrifying psychological and emotional drama, not soon forgotten.

2. The effect on other bicyclists, who, when approaching someone talking on a cell phone on a bike (or, for that matter, in a car), have no way of knowing whether or not they the cell phone user is in any way paying attention to their biking (or driving), and have to slow down or take a wide berth in case th bicyclists (or driver) swerves or whatever.

madpogue 

All the things you "equate" to cell phone use take your hand off the wheel for a second or two. Cell phone use takes your hand off the wheel/handlebar for several minutes, and significantly obstructs your peripheral vision. On a bike, it also significantly affects your balance. At the very least, go hands free, and treat it as you would an in-car or bike-to-bike conversation, that is, if circumstances require it, say "stand by", stop talking (and listening), and focus on the situation; return to the conversation when the situation has passed.

legitimate user

You sound pretty sure of your own situation. Keep looking for a good hands free system.

slvoid

I have to admit, I'm not one of those people that get into some nirvana zen like state of ***********y bliss when I'm on my bike.
I'll ride it to work in the dark, gloom of night, through heavy midtown traffic, through trash littered industrial parks, wind and driving rain and I'll wear headphones if I'm bored or talk using a headset if I want to. I've also fired off a couple of text messages with my hands off the handle bar and it hasn't affected my balance any.
Last week I drafted behind many a roadie at 30mph with both hands off the bar trying to read a route map. We made pretty good time. [EDIT, I wasn't the one reading the route map no handed, they were.]
Everyonce in a while I see messengers talking on cell phones, eating, etc while on their bikes in the middle of rush hour traffic, now that's crazy.

Your mileage, OTOH, may vary so exercise caution and good judgement, as I have little of the latter. If you find yourself getting distracted talking about the newest movie coming out while biking and on the phone, it's probably best to give the thing a break.

Dutchy

I can imagine the call to a psychic hotline.
Caller: What does my future hold?
Psychic: Not much...you are going to die real soon!
Caller: When?
Psychic: What was that....are you there....hello...hello...hello

Mobiles are great for an emergency, if you run out of spare tyres, or CO2 cartridges, broken spokes, crashes. They have no other place in cycling. If you need to call your mummy, do it at home.

In the words of Charlie Brown " Good grief"


CHEERS.

Mark

sailor

I too think that talking on a phone while on a bike is a bad idea. There are enough dangers to worry about on the bike, taking a hand off the bar and distracting yourself with talk is just a bad idea.

I take a phone with me in case of emergency--I crash, flat and cant repair it, whatever... But not to talk on while Im on the bike.

Alrocket

Hmmm, guilty of this as recently as last night.

I was calling to some friends, and didn't know the way. I was in a built up suburban area, and they called me to ask where I was. I answered (phone was in my pocket), asked them to hang on a sec, and put my hands back on the handlebars holding the phone. I slowed down, and took the next ramp onto the sidewalk, and started talking whilst doing ~5mph on the sidewalk (no pedestrians or driveways). I kept moving so that I could find an intersection to figure out what road I was on (at that point I stopped the bike).

So I think within reason, it can be relatively ok to talk whilst cycling.

Now texting - *that* can be lethal

Whoodie

If you can not hand free, then just pull over and make your call. I find it rude and inconsiderable to other road users when you ride/drive while still talking on your phone.

When riding if I have to make or receive a call I stop.

natelutkjohn

My thoughts exactly, I guess I don't understand the whole cell phone craze. Thankfully I don't have one yet and don't se it anytime soon, but if you don't need it for work, my stance is: If you are outdoors, enjoying things, do you really want to be troubled by all of lifes little problems and dramas?

Well, to each his own

lrzipris

I find much cellphone use in public to be a kind of noise pollution, and I don't appreciate "second-hand noise" anymore than I care for second hand smoke. Hasn't Amtrak instituted "cellphone-free" cars? Chatting away on your phone while riding is rude, inconsiderate, and, most importantly, dangerous to others, as well as to yourself. It's this last factor that takes the issue out of the realm of "hey, it's my choice."

tomsanborn

I must confess that I did not read all of the posts. I use my cell phone when I'm riding my cruiser. I wouldn't use one if I was riding a road bike or an MTB off-road. Is it dangerous? Sure it is - especially if you're trying to dial and watch the road. It is also dangerous to ride while using headphones to listen to music, ride on the wrong side of the road, not using hand signals, etc. Assuming one knows safe riding practices, it is a matter of personal choice.

JavaMan

You didn't like your girlfriend's comments so you're asking for ours? Listen to your girlfriend! It's definitely an added risk while riding. Are you sure you're not just showing off?
Tom

sapolin

My 2 cents: cell phones SHOULD be banned, period.

Each time I see an idiot with a cell phone (they come together nicely), my anger management skills are put to test.

No one, NO ONE is entitled to wear a cell phone. I see too much people using this thing just to splatter their no-life all around (public transit, how come the people talk SO LOUD in a cell phone in a bus ?)...

On another note: research has been thouroughly done in cell phone + driving, and the outcome is clear: cell phoning (?) while driving is dangerous. It can be more dangerous than drinking and driving... the activity of the brain enters a virtual «zone» (the space of the conversation) and that leaves less attention on the road, where it belongs first for security's sake...the moronic cell phoners should all be caned...

Sapolin

Travelinguyrt

Don't/Won't own a cell foney

Thats why I have/pay office staff

Sides U ever hear an important call being made?, and everyone who has a D-M cell talks loud enuf so everyone cal hear the conversation, what ever happened to privacy

Hornbiker

Touche.

A friend of mine occasionally answers his cell phone while we're riding. Rude as hell, so I find that it's a perfect time to sprint off in a cloud of dust and drop his sorry cell phonecentric ass

wfin2004

I agree a hundred percent with this Gastro. Although I used to carry one only for purposes of making emergency calls if problems arose on trails. But no more.

obscenesimian

I personally think it is my right to do whatever I want on my bike. I don't know about you folks but I can ride perfectly well with a breakfast burrito in one hand. I mean I have to eat breakfast, right? I just ride on the sidewalk since no one uses it till i get near the pharmacy across from the old folks home. Seriously though, have you guys figured out how to mount a cupholder for a big gulp on the handlebars? And how do you guys light your cigs? I was thinking maybe about a dyno thingy or something hooked up to a cigarrette lighter like the one in my canyonero!

Sheesh, I strted riding my bike to end all of this crap, I can't imagine why someone would bring it with them, it's like smoking in yoga class!

ngateguy

No you don't have the right to do whatever you do on your bike. Bike riding, like driving is NOT a right, it is a privilege. When you learn what the difference is maybe we can talk.

Remember your actions do have an impact on what is going on around you. If you are stuffing your face with a breakfast burrito you sure are not paying attention to what is going on around you.

sbhikes

I've been thinking that giving cell phones to schizophrenics would be a great solution for them. They could talk to their voices while holding a cell phone and everybody would think they were normal.

I'm personally incapable of using a cell phone while driving. I can't pay attention to both things. I hate the phone anyway. I prefer to not be reachable at all ever.

I've seen people using phones on bikes and thought it was crazy. How can they pay attention? Hold the handlbars? I saw a woman on a bike once with a phone in one hand and a big purse swinging on the other arm.

I wish everybody would put their phones away, slow down and relax. Be in the here and now. Maybe even spend some time with the person/place they are with! Have you ever seen two people out to dinner both using their phones?

But what do I know? I'm a total nerd and so far behind when it comes to gadgets and fashion, so whatever. Don't listen to me.