General Cycling Discussion - Multi-tasking

This could actually fit in many threads:

I saw a fast cyclist on a road bike making a left turn at an intersection in downtown St. Louis yesterday.
He looked to be in good shape: muscular, thin.
He was African-American.
He was wearing tights and did not look like a fairy.
He had his right hand on the bar, and in his left hand, at his ear, he had a cell phone.
He looked to be carrying on an animated phone conversation.

I don't know about anyone else, but I do carry a cell phone with me when I'm on the bike. I consider it useful to let the family have a way of reaching me, to give me a way to reach them if I have to, and to give me a way to get help if I need it (haven't needed it, though). When the phone rings, I stop, put my feet on the ground, and answer it. If I can't answer it in time, I check the missed calls list and return the call. I don't think I could hold the phone to my ear and cycle any distance well at all. I have tried using a headset while on the bike, but since I want to hear cars approaching behind me, I wouldn't keep the earpiece in. Without the earpiece in, answering a call is almost as clumsy as pulling the phone out of a back pocket.

I do use a cell phone while I drive, though I know many people object to that. I think I am capable of driving-phone multi-tasking. Is anyone really all that capable of cycling-phone multi-tasking?

Like you I wait for a safe place to pull over and stop to answer or return a call. Many people seem to THINK they can talk and ride at the same time, but then, many people think they are good drivers, too, with or without a cell phone!

OK, I have to confess. I have talked on the phone a couple of times while riding. But only on a bike path all by myself at 8-9 mph. And only to pick on friends who I knew would still be working as I rode along on a beautiful day on my way home along the lakefront. Is that so wrong? :D

I think the same sort of inattentivness probably applies to somebody on a cellphone riding a bike. He had one hand on the handlebar (which makes him incapbable of doing anything in an emergency, stopping or turning). If I saw this, I would shake my head, and not want to share a road or bikepath with him. I do not carry a cellphone, but I would certainly stop and answer it like you. I would not use this person as an example of the right thing to do!

Actually Prosody I have ridden and talked on the cell phone befor, I realize that's its dangerous, so you really have to pay attention when you're doing it, but I think it can be done in certian conditions...I find most of the time I use it when I'm riding on my tandem, but I have used it on my cruiser and road bikes also..I find it's easiest to have it in my left hand, so that my right hand is free to operate the shifting mech. for the rear derralier, in case I need to change gears..

But I'm with you I normally only carry it for emergencies and would prefer to stop riding if I have to talk on it..Or if I'm just going with a fast group and can't get to it, I'll call the person back when I get a chance...I keep it in my left hand pocket of the jersey that I'm wearing, so I have to first hear it go off, and sometimes that's not always possible.

Benjamin
in michigan

Originally posted by Prosody
I do use a cell phone while I drive, though I know many people object to that. I think I am capable of driving-phone multi-tasking.
I doubt if there are many people that can do both.
Most people are so engrossed in the phone conversation they can barely drive their car safely. And driving usually requires two hands.

I'm one of those people that strongly objects to talking on the phone while driving. :fight:
I guess you've seen the bumper sticker that reads "HANG UP THE PHONE AND DRIVE". My sentiments exactly!!

If you want to talk on the phone - pull over! Then you can talk all day for all I care.

Riding a bike and talking?? Give me a break.

I sometimes carry a phone when I ride, but it's switched off. I carry it as an emergency in case something happens and I'm unable to make it home.

I ride to escape everything for a while, so I'm certainly not going to carry on a conversation with somebody on the other end of a phone.

As for driving and using a phone that's a big NO. I always think about legendary drummer Cozy Powell when this subject comes up. He thought he could do it also.

My cell phone is for emergency use only when
I'm riding. If I need it, I'm off the bike.
Like RonH I believe most people can't drive
and talk on a cell phone (or walk and chew gum
for that matter!), let alone ride a bike.

Marty

I don't carry a cell phone when I'm riding.

Originally posted by RonH

I doubt if there are many people that can do both.
Most people are so engrossed in the phone conversation they can barely drive their car safely. And driving usually requires two hands.

I'm one of those people that strongly objects to talking on the phone while driving. :fight:
I guess you've seen the bumper sticker that reads "HANG UP THE PHONE AND DRIVE". My sentiments exactly!!

If you want to talk on the phone - pull over! Then you can talk all day for all I care.

Riding a bike and talking?? Give me a break. Testify my brother!

Originally posted by Prosody
I don't know about anyone else, but I do carry a cell phone with me when I'm on the bike.
I've seriously considered carrying a cell phone on my bike for emergencies. Nothing wrong with that. Even in a car, a cell phone could be a valuable resource in an emergency. I once pulled my car over to help a woman in trouble, only to find she had already called for help on her cell phone.


I do use a cell phone while I drive, though I know many people object to that. I think I am capable of driving-phone multi-tasking. Is anyone really all that capable of cycling-phone multi-tasking?
Good question.

--In a rainstorm, got splashed by a cell-phone conversationalist
as he merrily chatted while plowing through a gullywasher next to me (I used my umbrella as a shield; he never knew what hit me.)

--Almost got hit in the crosswalk by a lady arguing on a cellphone who tried to turn the wrong way up a one-way street. Good for her she didn't crash into all those cars waiting at the light behind me.

--Watched as two cars were waiting to turn right on red. The second car rear-ended the first car. He was still on the phone when I passed.

--Watched as a guy in a three-piece suit talking on the phone while walking down the sidewalk fell into an open manhole (OK,
I made this one up!)

:eek: