General Cycling Discussion - Cell Phones Again!!

Was out riding this morning - and, coming in the opposite direction was a roadie steering with one hand on the bars and talking on the cell phone with the other hand, while riding!!

Yes, I carry a CP, and very occasionally get a call, but I ALWAYS stop before answering and talk while stopped. This is my first experience of seeing a biker talking and holding a CP while riding.

haha...cp's are evil. I don't get why people can't turn them off when travelling and use them for emergencies only. I have seen this and usually start looking around at everything and driving irratically just to see how well the rider reacts. It usually turns out badly, but in this situation it is a well deserved fall.

Originally posted by Maelstrom
haha...cp's are evil. I don't get why people can't turn them off when travelling and use them for emergencies only.

A mobile phone can be used for emergencies in both directions. I have a special profile on my phone that forces a ring only when certain people call. I do have to trust that caller-ID works properly though. When I'm out on a ride, everyone except these special folks get sent to voicemail. This affords me the luxury of riding when I otherwise couldn't and it allows me the peace of mind that should something happen like my home's alarm system getting tripped or my wife getting into a car accident, I'll still be notified and can respond. Sure, it's nice to think that we can just leave it all behind when we go riding but the reality of life is that there's more to life than just cycling.

You can always use a ear piece so you won't have to hold it on your hand.

I noticed that all of the USPS people have ear peices. Are these receivers or transmitters too?

seems to be 2way, at least for Lance.

I read in his It's Not About The Bike that his coach would tell him his HR or cadence was too high or low or whatever, and also how far back people were, that kind of thing. IIRC, he could respond.

as far as cell phones, I have to stay in touch and be available. just gotta. I do screech to a stop to answer, but if I had an earpiece? dunno. I'll have to get one and find out how it works for me.

--alex.

Just don't ride and talk. Same with don't drive and talk. If you have to, use an ear piece or one of those things that attaches the phone to your head.

I don't mean leave your life behind but don't ride with one hand. Its not even the one hand thing it is how distracted a 'mobile' user becomes while on the phone.

haha...cp's are evil.

No they are not. They are just one more tool of modern man - to be used in both good and evil ways.

My CP allows me to get away for long rides, yet still be in touch in case of a medical emergency or other urgent situation (and they happen far too frequently in my life). Otherwise, I would never have the pleasure of a 30 mile ride to destinations unknown.

Originally posted by unrelated
You can always use a ear piece so you won't have to hold it on your hand.

I would never ride while talking on a phone... even with an earpiece. If I get called or have to call while out for a ride, I'll pull over and keep the conversation as short as possible. "Yes... yes... okay. Well, I'm out on a bike ride now but I'll take care of it when I get back."

Originally posted by Maelstrom
Its not even the one hand thing it is how distracted a 'mobile' user becomes while on the phone.

There are many areas of vehicular operation in which communications is vital. These people do not have a problem with talking while doing. I think the problem arises when the topic of communication has nothing to do with the tasks at hand. This is a context switch problem. Cycling and automotbile racers use two-way radios... pilots use two-way communications... police/fire/rescue people rely on constantly being in contact with one another by way of radios. The difference between them and Joe Suit in the SUV weaving around on I-405 while yakking about the upcoming board meeting is that the former's topic of discussion is highly related to what they're doing at the moment and they have had training to properly incorporate communications into their operation. In general, we as human beings are horrible with dividing our attention between unrelated tasks. When Lance is talking on the race radio during the TdF, I'm sure it's not to hear about Johan's opinion of Men In Black II.

Unless the caller knew you were biking they might get offended at all the heavy breathing into the phone.

You know what's even funnier though? People who smoke while biking. Usually seems to be those who obviously lost their licence for drinking and were in the habit of lighting up whenever they got in the car. I even know of one who bikes with a backpack full of beer.:beer:

Originally posted by Oxymoron
I even know of one who bikes with a backpack full of beer.:beer:

I hope that person opens the beer carefully at the end of their ride. I remember once when I was a teenager filling my water bottle with rootbeer. Big mistake. That first drink atempt was... well... enlightening.

I think it is a double standard to say people should not talk on the phone while driving, yet we all talk to our passengers in the car.

If you have an earphone/headset OR speakerphone that allows to focus on the road, then I don't see the difference between that and talking to someone in the car. If someone gets distracted by that, then they are just a menace and will cause a problem, regardless of wether they are talking on the phone or not.

The distraction comes first from looking for the right buttons to hit, then from trying to hold the phone up to your ear and drive. Your arm blocks your head movement, and you have to focus some of your attention on holding the phone up, etc.

That said, I bring a phone with me when I Cycle, but I hope it never rings. Cycling is an escape for me --- and I would have to break that escape to stop and talk on the phone, and I HATE stopping.

IMHO, of course.

Originally posted by RollingGeek
I think it is a double standard to say people should not talk on the phone while driving, yet we all talk to our passengers in the car.


I don't think that banning cellphone use while driving will have much effect. I also think that we can train ourselves to talk while driving and manage distractions. The problem is that most of our society is geared around our reluctance to change our ways. Many of us have fallen under the impression that we no longer can or need to learn. There are ways to minimise risks of distractions and manage priorities. For example, airline pilots for instance rely on both verbal and radio communications. But during the moments of preflight, takeoff and landings, they observe a sterile cockpit rule... absolutely no distractions or conversations that do not have a bearing on aircraft operations. It all starts with proper training.

Originally posted by RollingGeek
I think it is a double standard to say people should not talk on the phone while driving, yet we all talk to our passengers in the car.

No actually It's not because, generally, when you are talking to a passenger you have an extra set of eyes looking around, which is a luxury that even the most advanced cell phones can't offer.

Originally posted by DnvrFox
Was out riding this morning - and, coming in the opposite direction was a roadie steering with one hand on the bars and talking on the cell phone with the other hand, while riding!!
The obvious difference between a motorist using a cell phone while driving and a cyclist using one while riding (as in your illustration, DnvrFox) is that the motorist might kill somebody, while the cyclist might only kill himself.

Still, this distinction does not encourage me to chat on the phone while riding with traffic.

I think there is more to it than just the hands. Cellphones often have bad sound quality causing the brain to pay more attention to listening than usual. The lack of using body language causes the brain to focus more on how to say what the brain thinks to make sure that the other person understands. When talking to someone in the car (or two people on bikes) they can avoid talking during tight situations as opposed to someone on the other end of a cellphone. I have even misplaced things at my home while talking on the phone that took a while to find, but that might be just me :).

I do have a cellphone with me while riding, and it is on, but I have it on a quiet setting so I usually won't hear it. I can check the phone when I stop. Of course, if I expected an urgent call I would have it on a louder setting. But I would never ride and talk, hands-free or not.

/Csson

The obvious difference between a motorist using a cell phone while driving and a cyclist using one while riding (as in your illustration, DnvrFox) is that the motorist might kill somebody, while the cyclist might only kill himself.

Gosh - this cyclist was riding where there were a number of other cyclists. He might not kill them (me) but he sure could cause a bad accident.

It's pretty obvious that there are instances when all of our concentration needs to be focused on the task at hand (the SUV next to you starts pulling into your lane) and times when the task at hand is not demanding at all (stopped at a red light)

I'm pretty sure than Johan is not going to radio Lance when he is in the middle of a hairpin turn or going 70 MPH down hill. At the same time the guy next to you in the car is not going to philosphise about existentialism while you weave in and out of midtown traffic. The problem is that someone on the other end of a cell phone has no idea whether you should be spending more concentration on driving/riding or talking.

That's why I think cell phones are distracting.

Originally posted by Blackjack
That's why I think cell phones are distracting.

Yep... it's another case of context mismatch. Also in many other situations of two-way radio communications, there are specific protocols of speech that are followed. These are designed to reduce confusion and maximise efficiency. "... four november delta... squawk VFR... radar services terminated... frequency change approved..." During a typical phone conversation, the line of discussion can weave around wildly forcing the user(s) to devote even more brain processing cycles to maintain coherent thought... cycles that are stolen from other tasks.

Originally posted by RollingGeek
I think it is a double standard to say people should not talk on the phone while driving, yet we all talk to our passengers in the car.


Much as I hate to admit it, I'm a terrible driver while trying to have a conversation with passengers. I can't imagine going out of the way to be a bad driver--as in chatting when I don't have to. :D

Originally posted by DnvrFox
Gosh - this cyclist was riding where there were a number of other cyclists. He might not kill them (me) but he sure could cause a bad accident.
Good point. I guess I'm used to riding almost exclusively with motorists.

We are still one of the few who do not own or immediately plan to get a cell phone..Here in California many roads have emergency phone boxes that connect with the police. Or else, walk to phone and use my credit card..
But my point about cell phones. One of the things I do when out riding is observe motorists, particularily when I am stopped at red lights. I would guess, about 10 percent of all motorists are talking on their cell phone while driving, at any one given moment.. Ever notice how they drive while on the CP. Scarry..

Originally posted by khuon


I don't think that banning cellphone use while driving will have much effect. I also think that we can train ourselves to talk while driving and manage distractions. The problem is that most of our society is geared around our reluctance to change our ways. Many of us have fallen under the impression that we no longer can or need to learn. There are ways to minimise risks of distractions and manage priorities. For example, airline pilots for instance rely on both verbal and radio communications. But during the moments of preflight, takeoff and landings, they observe a sterile cockpit rule... absolutely no distractions or conversations that do not have a bearing on aircraft operations. It all starts with proper training.

You insult me by insinuating that I don't want to change my ways. I don't like cell phones. Crap I don't like phones or pagers. When I am at home I want to be there, no distractions and no connections. On the trail this is doubly so. When I am at work I carry a cell phone and a pager, work with a laptop on a large network between 13 properties. I work with wireless connections to direct double 56k lines. I just think that if someone is out of the trail in nature they should be there. People are constantly in communication with me. I don't need the same at home.

I am not saying not to take one. Just don't use it while 'cycling'. Stop sit down and chat your little connected heart out. I bring one on some of my more extreme trips into the back country. I would be an idiot not to.

If you have a child and have 'real' needs to be that connected to the rest of the world you can ignore that speal. I understand the need for a family connection. I am a single person whose only worry is himself and his gf. Not a wife and kids.

I'm certainly not condoning the use of a cell phone while riding, but I am guilty of answering my cell on those afternoons I have slipped out of work for a ride... :D

I take the cell with me when I go out on rides alone, in case something happens. I have occasionally seen a roadie talking on a cell while riding, but maybe once or twice. If I do see one on a cell, they're usually stopped. Usually, the cell-phone talkers are just yahoos on bikes, like one moron I saw once, wobbling along and blabbing. And endangering my life! Often I see roller bladers yammering on their cells. What bugs me is how people, especially on bike paths, seem to be paying attention to everything but where they're going and what they're actually doing. Another of the many reasons I stick to the road!

it is necessary to have one, but you have to be smart enough how to use it.....

Originally posted by Maelstrom
You insult me by insinuating that I don't want to change my ways. I don't like cell phones. Crap I don't like phones or pagers. When I am at home I want to be there, no distractions and no connections. On the trail this is doubly so.

I think you misunderstood me. What I was trying to say was that it takes a certain amount of training in order to safely operate a vehicle and communicate over some sort of radio-telephone device and most of the population is resistant to changing their habits.

I got rid of mine about four years ago and have no desire to replace it. The thing was more of a hindrance than a help when I had the damn thing anyway, and it cost me too much money. They're only there so people can walk down the street saying really profund things like "yeah, I'm walking down the street" to nobody at all. The only thing that separates cell-phone users from the certifiably insane is the assumption that someone is actually listening.

Personally, I'd like to see the cops given powers to confiscate them outright from people who talk on them while riding/driving. I know it's not terribly 'trendy' for people to just concentrate on what they are doing, but hey, life's tough.

Gawl. One of the reason I like to ride is to get away from all the BS of life. The CP connects you to the insane noise. I like to think I maintain my bike and carry enough of what I need to keep it going, that I do not need a CP.
Rarely do I ride so far away from civilization that I can't walk to a phone booth. Usually when out on a day long ride, I call my wife at least once- to say sorry, I just can't seem to find my way home. Be there soon with wine and roses.. Should I go out and ride the desert for forty days and nights, then I better re-think my ideas about communications..
I know when one of the wacko motorists puts me at risk, maybe I need a CP to call authorities. Just a risk I choose to take..
ps- Certainly a bike is more reliable than an auto, anyway.. That is what I tell my boss, when I commute to work. Couple times the bike has bailed me out when autos did not..either mine or my wifes'..

and now that I have a new job, a cell phone with me when I ride my bike is the next best thing technology has to offer........

What did we do before all these technological wonders????

When I ride, I pretend I'm riding just like I did 10 years ago...phoneless. No different.

I use a cell phone for work, etc., but only when absolutely necessary. Never on the bike.

I think the abuse of cell phones equals that of e-mail. Nothing worse than having the person in the next office shoot you an e-mail. When you ask them why they didn't come talk to you live they answer, "I communicate better via e-mail." Go figure....

Technology is good only if used in an appropriate manner.

I totally agree. But cells are useful for emergencies. There are places where there is no phone booth on my rides, and so I keep the cell tucked into my little pack. BUt it's not like I ride along blabbing on it. I also hate when people at the gym have their phones with them, and blab while on the treadmill. Usually it's some inane conversation. Can't it wait until you get home?

I almost always take my CP with me when I ride. Especially on my commute. If I get a flat, I need to call work and let them know I'll be late.
Other than that, if I get a call while riding, I always let it go to voicemail. I'll pull over and check it, just to make sure it's not my wife calling to tell me one of our kids has to go to the hospital. I never let it ring though. I have it set on silent, and a beep lets me know I have a new voicemail. :thumbup:

Of course, I should point out that in many of the places I ride, a phone would not work because of the terrain etc.

Yes, I carry a CP, and very occasionally get a call

I sometimes carry a CP but it is NEVER on. I have it only in case of emergencies and have to get someone to pick me up. I have used it twice when I was having wheel trouble and could not fix it on the road. The phone saved me from 2 very long walks.

That being said - I would never leave the phone on while I ride. The purpose of my bike ride is not only to recharge my body, but my mind and soul as well. To that end I must feel removed from all the day to day hassles. I don’t even allow my mind to think about that stuff when I’m on the bike. This is what makes my rides seem like small vacations. If I didn’t do that it would not be worth riding.

I carry a cell all the time. I will usually ignore it and let a call go to Voice Mail any time the call would be a distraction. This applies wether on a bike or not. Generally I will pull over to answer a call if I chose to take the call. I always pull over and stop if I am initiating the call. I just feel like I need the phone in case of an emergency, monie or other's.