Advocacy & Safety - Hang up and pedal!!!

Heard on NPR this morning.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111897770

Good for Philly. I've been nearly hit a few times by people on the phone while biking. Even saw someone texting while biking a couple of weeks ago, no hands on the bike and not in good control.

Very good, indeed. Personally, when I ride my bike I like to ride my bike.

I like that, a lot.

This is bs if it's still legal to drive a car while on the cell.

You've fallen out of your car while on your cell???? Dude!

Mitch, you can read the article and find out.

Mitch, you can read the article and find out.You mean this part?
making the city the first in the nation to extend the measure to include non-motorists.

If you ask me, the cell phone restrictions aren't tight enough; they've been PROVEN to be a distraction, to the point of being hazardous, during personal travel. Geez -- PEDESTRIANS have been near-missed because they were celling/texting while walking across streets, stepping out into moving traffic!

A lot of people complain about "the nanny state", and not being able to do as they please with their own whatever; GUESS WHAT, FOLKS? The idea is simple -- the gov't is telling you, and has been for decades, "If you don't control -- WE WILL." Well, you the people have not been controlling your conduct in society. NO ONE has unlimited rights, or rights without attendant responsibilities.

Society,as it is today, is NOT what I put my azz on the line for when I raised my hand and wore the uniform.

OK -- rant over. But you get my meaning.

I was almost mowed-down by yet another ditz yakking away on her freakin' cell-phone while staring at the sky - on her bicycle. Of course! Weaving from right to left to right. No concept of others using the path. Probably call 911 if I'd chased her down and given her a good, stiff lecture.

No more Mister Niceguy. I hope she rode off a cliff.

I don't think Philly has banned cellphones for motorists. If someone can point to something that says differently, I'd be interested. If not, they really have their priorities backwards.

Cell phone use by drivers is banned in Philly:

http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/drivers-handheld-cell-phone-use-banned-in-philadelphia-110163.php

You mean this part?
making the city the first in the nation to extend the measure to include non-motorists.

Yes.

Cell phone use by drivers is banned in Philly:

http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/drivers-handheld-cell-phone-use-banned-in-philadelphia-110163.phpthat's good thanks. Now if they could just ban usage by pedestrians ... I'm almost serious here.

A guy texting nearly walked right in to me as I came out of the grocery store yesterday. There is no end to the madness.

What we need is more government control over the people.

What we need is more government control over the people.

No. What we need is more government protection of the people.

What we need are smarter citizens.

Cell phone use by drivers is banned in Philly
No, it is not. And it's not banned for cyclists either. The restriction is just on 'hand-held' phones, which misses the point of almost all the safety studies. They show that the problems are caused by the mental distractions due to having the phone conversation - not by the act of holding the phone in your hand. The drivers (and next cyclists) using hands-free phones are still distracted and not paying as much attention to the traffic situation.

We need less dumbererer pee poh.

Cell phone use by drivers is banned in Philly
No, it is not. And it's not banned for cyclists either. The restriction is just on 'hand-held' phones, which misses the point of almost all the safety studies. They show that the problems are caused by the mental distractions due to having the phone conversation - not by the act of holding the phone in your hand. The drivers (and next cyclists) using hands-free phones are still distracted and not paying as much attention to the traffic situation.

No, it is not. And it's not banned for cyclists either. The restriction is just on 'hand-held' phones, which misses the point of almost all the safety studies. They show that the problems are caused by the mental distractions due to having the phone conversation - not by the act of holding the phone in your hand. The drivers (and next cyclists) using hands-free phones are still distracted and not paying as much attention to the traffic situation.

Thank you. I stand corrected.

The article was vague and now I'm disapointed.

The article was vague and now I'm disapointed.

I'm sorry, Mitch.

No, it is not. And it's not banned for cyclists either. The restriction is just on 'hand-held' phones, which misses the point of almost all the safety studies. They show that the problems are caused by the mental distractions due to having the phone conversation - not by the act of holding the phone in your hand. The drivers (and next cyclists) using hands-free phones are still distracted and not paying as much attention to the traffic situation.

You're right, and it's disheartening that most people (including legislators) can't understand this simple point: handsfree is probably just as bad as handheld.

I think the fact that hands-free is still allowed is just a reflection of how difficult it would be to enforce a total ban. I understand that the studies show differently, but my observation is that holding the phone is a real problem for many people.

I have experienced the disorientation that telephone conversations cause first hand. When I just call someone to shoot the breeze, it really doesn't seem to be much of a problem keeping engaged with driving. When I have to make decisions, it becomes a real problem.

I have experienced the disorientation that telephone conversations cause first hand. When I just call someone to shoot the breeze, it really doesn't seem to be much of a problem keeping engaged with driving. When I have to make decisions, it becomes a real problem.

And you have to make decisions on a continual basis while driving or riding!

I don't make or take cell calls to 'shoot the breeze' while driving. And I don't take or make cell calls while riding - I pull over to use the cell. I don't like to ride for very long without both hands on the bars.

I'm sorry, Mitch.

So it's bs after all.

I ride straight at a person as they approach me on a phone, no handed or texting. I have a right to believe I am fairly safe when riding. I do not believe I need respect people that are clearly unsafe.

I ride straight at a person as they approach me on a phone, no handed or texting. I have a right to believe I am fairly safe when riding. I do not believe I need respect people that are clearly unsafe.

Do what?