Living Car Free - Texting/calling when cycling?

The other day when i biked to the store I yelled to get the attention of a girl who was texting over her handle bars. She almost drifted into oncoming traffic and it could've been ugly.
I'm sad to say it's not the first time i see people texting/talking when on their bicycle.
I either don't answer or pull over and talk to be safe for everybody.

Do you do it? I was wondering if you think there should be legislation against cyclists talking/texting while biking similar to doing it when driving?

I see more and more cyclists apparently calling with their cell. Haven't actually caught anyone in the act of texting to my knowledge.

I don't text, largely because I think it is an intermediary technology. (I suspect soon you'll see USB implants becoming popular. Your brain will just sent the message down the USB port.)

Should text be outlawed for cyclists? Yeah, sure, let's do it...

Do you do it? I was wondering if you think there should be legislation against cyclists talking/texting while biking similar to doing it when driving?

No, I do not do it. I have answered my phone while on my bike but pulled over to "take" the call. Texting does not apply to me as I blocked that feature from my phone nor do I think it makes sense for anyone to text when it is easier to place a call.

Texting is much faster than making a call and also a lot less bother some to both people involved because you can answer a text whenever you have a free minute. The problem comes when people attempt to answer a text when they DONT have a free minute, such as while driving or riding a bike. A lot of people used to say that e-mail was a waste of time because it was easier to jsut pick up the phone, and we all know how that technology developed in popularity.

The only bicycle accident I have been in in that last 4 years was when I was on my cell phone trying to get directions to a friends how that I was near. I was on a sidewalk on a poorly lit street that did not have a wheel chair ramp onto the curve. I rode right off of it not even noticing that the ramp was not there! Was it my fault? Hell yes, hang up and ride. Could it have been prevented if the street had proper lighting and infrastructure? Probably.

I always stop my bike now for texting and phone calls.

The problem comes when people attempt to answer a text when they DONT have a free minute, such as while driving or riding a bike. A lot of people used to say that e-mail was a waste of time because it was easier to jsut pick up the phone, and we all know how that technology developed in popularity.


The issue of texting while driving will soon be taken care of . As soon as the Nigerian mafia, along with the many other spam artists, learn how to penetrate text networks, NO ONE will bother to pick up a text, unless they are completely bored and willing to spend minutes weeding out the spam.

here is the official
most up to date
USDOT
http://www.rita.dot.gov/distracted_driving_summit/
on distracted driving

The issue of texting while driving will soon be taken care of . As soon as the Nigerian mafia, along with the many other spam artists, learn how to penetrate text networks, NO ONE will bother to pick up a text, unless they are completely bored and willing to spend minutes weeding out the spam.

This has already happened here in South Korea, I usually get about 5-10 text advertisements a week. Or at least I think thats what they are because my Korean is not exactly perfect yet. However, despite the widespread use of texting for spam, Korea remains one of the most text happy countries in the world. I get lots of spam e-mail but that doesn't seem to stop too many people form utilizing it. Simple matter of not allowing numbers that are not in your address book to text you....

Do you do it? I was wondering if you think there should be legislation against cyclists talking/texting while biking similar to doing it when driving?

Guilty as charged -- almost exclusively on empty, rural roads. I provide no justification, but if you can text without constantly looking at your phone, it's "not that bad."

Should there be a law? Probably wouldn't hurt...

I text & ride as well. Left hand on handlebars while right thumb is texting. I automatically slow down a lot when I text. I don't even realize how slow I'm moving until I'm done and look down at the speedo to see I'm moving at 7mph.

I pull over to use my phone.

Cell phone use, whether texting or calling, is a distraction and I've learned that distractions really impair one's ability to react and adapt effectively to ones environment while moving. When walking, sometimes I use my netbook to pull up information (Like bus schedules), but even walking on the sidewalk can be hazardous as I didn't quite notice that 1" piece of lifted sidewalk and subsequently I trip. When on those kinds of sidewalks, I typically take to the smoother and more predictable street.

On a bicycle, where an accident at those speeds can seriously be injurious (Especially when it involves cars), I have always pulled over when getting a phone call. A bike has that special ability to get on the sidewalk or otherwise out of the way almost everywhere...

in philly it is illegal to use a phone while operating any wheeled vehicle. That includes skateboards, rollerblades, bikes, and cars.

in philly it is illegal to use a phone while operating any wheeled vehicle. That includes skateboards, rollerblades, bikes, and cars.

Which is a law that is broken regularly, and a law that might be 100% unenforced. (?)

I'd tell you whether I've broken that law, but I might incriminate myself.

It's kind of like stop signs and speed limits in Philly - people follow the law if they want to, otherwise they don't. Bike or car, doesn't matter.

Usually it's only bikers who blatantly disregard red lights though.

The other day when i biked to the store I yelled to get the attention of a girl who was texting over her handle bars. She almost drifted into oncoming traffic and it could've been ugly.
I'm sad to say it's not the first time i see people texting/talking when on their bicycle.
I either don't answer or pull over and talk to be safe for everybody.

Do you do it? I was wondering if you think there should be legislation against cyclists talking/texting while biking similar to doing it when driving?

Using a cell phone while cycling is a brain dead as driving drunk or anything else that takes you attention from controlling your vehicle/bike.

Maybe I'm an old-school grouchy grump, but I think there needs to be some serious action against texting while MOVING. not necessarily legislation, that's kind of a last resort, but cultural pressure can be brought to bear. Don't ask me for details, I'm just spouting an opinion on this one.

texting & riding...err no I don't think so.

Got this crazy thing about not wanting to die.. :)

Which is a law that is broken regularly, and a law that might be 100% unenforced. (?)

I'd tell you whether I've broken that law, but I might incriminate myself.

It's kind of like stop signs and speed limits in Philly - people follow the law if they want to, otherwise they don't. Bike or car, doesn't matter.

Usually it's only bikers who blatantly disregard red lights though.

agreed but it might just make one less person pick up there phone to call/text.

and to me thats one less distracted person that needs all of their attention on the road as it is.

I read text messages while riding normally but I only write text messages when coastind downhill at night so I dont need to use my hands.

I pull over to take a call or to text because I'm a klutz. I have friends who can do both with no loss of control. I think it's a bad idea to use a phone on a busy or high-speed road, but I don't see a problem (for non-klutzes) on a quiet residential street.

Here's a great video tutorial on how to text while on two wheels :twitchy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K59eMpWsyNE

I'm pretty sure it will be illegal to text or call on a cell phone while riding a bike starting Jan 1 2010 in Oregon (along with any other vehicle).

As for it being safe? I find it impossible to believe that texting while riding a bike (or driving a car), unless stopped, is safe. Talking on a cell phone I am a little more forgiving for. Can I ride 5 mph and talk on my phone? Probably. Will I have better situational awareness if I am not on my phone? Sure, but I still don't see the problem at low speeds unless the place you are riding is crowded.

I hate texting, I don't even like cell phones. I have one obviously because I don't have a land line, but I get really irritated when people question why I didn't answer. I am allowed to not answer my phone.

If I need to text while riding, I go no hands and check the road to see that traffic is clear of cars or potholes for a few seconds before looking down at the phone. I have enough peripheral vision to see cars pulling out of drive ways. I put a hand on the handlebars at intersections. So far so good. I have been hit by a car twice, once from behind in the city and once sideswiped on the highway. Neither time was I texting.

There have been many times where people have become so distracted in their communications and risked getting into accidents. One day, while walking along the sidewalk of a busy city street, a woman rode her
bicycle toward me on the sidewalk while talking on her cell phone. She was so involved in her telecommunications that she was riding erratically as she talked. Noticing this, I moved as far over as I could without stepping into the street so that she could pass. But even that wasn't enough as the lady swerved out and directly into where I was walking. She came two feet short of hitting me when she swerved out of the way. She continued riding in this manner and never stopped talking on her cell phone.

I don't talk on my cell phone while riding my bicycle. If I need to make or take a call, I find a safe place to pull over, dismount, and then use my cell. Texting or talking on a cell phone while riding can be dangerous.

I saw a video clip somewhere recently of people walking and texting/talking, they walked into parked cars, light poles, trash cans, sides of buildings as well as other people. To me being that out of tune with your surroundings is not only dangerous but anti-social as well.

Aaron:)

Texting - not coordinated enough.
Making a call - usually would pull over but sometimes its time saving to make one while riding if its a low traffic/uncomplicated street.
Taking a call - only if current traffic scenario allows it. If anything on the road starts requiring more attention/both hands I'd just tell the person to hang on and put the phone down on my handlebars, navigate the situation, then probably pull over on the sidewalk to stop and finish the call

I can't get to my phone without pulling over. Wouldn't consider it. Too hard to hear, and I need both hands for braking.

If I had a bluetooth on my ear.. maybe. But why ruin the ride?

I can't get to my phone without pulling over. Wouldn't consider it. Too hard to hear, and I need both hands for braking.

If I had a bluetooth on my ear.. maybe. But why ruin the ride?

:thumb:

Best point yet.

Texting does not apply to me as I blocked that feature from my phone nor do I think it makes sense for anyone to text when it is easier to place a call.

Ah folks and their text-o-phobia. Texting is like an abbreviated e-mail, the main advantage of which is rapid asynchronous communication. Receiving a text is much faster than checking a voice-mail and can often carry as much or more information.

As far as texting or calling while riding. Sure lets pass laws to ban everything remotely dangerous and make our already litigious society even better.

Why not just take a healthy dose of common sense. An experienced cyclist talking on the phone riding down a busy downtown street not so smart. Riding down a quiet residential street not so risky.

The basic fact of life is that all human behavior involves an element of risk. We as individuals should strive to mitigate the risks we take in the interest of living a long and healthy life free on injuries. Turning to legislative "authorities" to enforce what should be a self directed process is playground-league behavior. If you think something is stupid and risky DON'T DO IT it's that easy.

Ah folks and their text-o-phobia. Texting is like an abbreviated e-mail, the main advantage of which is rapid asynchronous communication. Receiving a text is much faster than checking a voice-mail and can often carry as much or more information.

As far as texting or calling while riding. Sure lets pass laws to ban everything remotely dangerous and make our already litigious society even better.

Why not just take a healthy dose of common sense. An experienced cyclist talking on the phone riding down a busy downtown street not so smart. Riding down a quiet residential street not so risky.

The basic fact of life is that all human behavior involves an element of risk. We as individuals should strive to mitigate the risks we take in the interest of living a long and healthy life free on injuries. Turning to legislative "authorities" to enforce what should be a self directed process is playground-league behavior. If you think something is stupid and risky DON'T DO IT it's that easy.

Just because some people chose not to text or receive them does not make them text-o-phobic. Some people still chose not to use computers or cell phones and they are still getting by no matter what is going on in the world.

I read text messages while riding normally but I only write text messages when coastind downhill at night so I dont need to use my hands.

Ah, combining lack of attention with lack of control. This sounds like an excellent way to ride straight into a pothole - or a parked car.


Why not just take a healthy dose of common sense. An experienced cyclist talking on the phone riding down a busy downtown street not so smart. Riding down a quiet residential street not so risky.

You might keep in mind that it's the nature of people to think that they're skilled at an awful lot of things... deserved or not.

Sometimes I observe a driver talking on a phone or texting while next to me in the street, and since they're distracted I'm not sure they know I'm there. So sometimes I thump on the car with my fist, just to be sure.

Now, I know some people advocate treating bicyclists no differently than the operators of other vehicles...

Ah folks and their text-o-phobia. Texting is like an abbreviated e-mail, the main advantage of which is rapid asynchronous communication. Receiving a text is much faster than checking a voice-mail and can often carry as much or more information.

As far as texting or calling while riding. Sure lets pass laws to ban everything remotely dangerous and make our already litigious society even better.

Why not just take a healthy dose of common sense. An experienced cyclist talking on the phone riding down a busy downtown street not so smart. Riding down a quiet residential street not so risky.

Common sense isn't so common anymore.


The basic fact of life is that all human behavior involves an element of risk. We as individuals should strive to mitigate the risks we take in the interest of living a long and healthy life free on injuries. Turning to legislative "authorities" to enforce what should be a self directed process is playground-league behavior. If you think something is stupid and risky DON'T DO IT it's that easy.

Let me know how that works out. Too many people in today's world refuse to take ANY responsibility for the actions. I am perfectly willing to take risks that involve me. However I don't think I need to be put at risk by someone who chooses to do something stupid, like DUI or Distracted Driving. Common Sense says they should put down the phone, the statistics show people don't. So unfortunately we make laws that are seldom enforced, and Darwin continues to lose ground.

FWIW I am of the opinion that you cannot legislate morality or personal responsibility, that has to be taught, but seldom is anymore.

Aaron:)

Tell people where to bike, how fast to bike, what to where on their head while biking, what to do and not do while they bike and pretty soon you don't have to do any thinking for yourself. Just keep following the rules, and if you get hurt, sue the people who are supposed to be protecting you. It sounds very easy. Who can be arsed with taking responsibility for their own actions these days.

I have and I'm sure i shouldn't have. Maybe did it two or three times. I read some news blurp a while back of the dangers of texting while walking and thought come on. took maybe a week before I found myself walking into traffic texting someone!

The other day when i biked to the store I yelled to get the attention of a girl who was texting over her handle bars. She almost drifted into oncoming traffic and it could've been ugly.
I'm sad to say it's not the first time i see people texting/talking when on their bicycle.
I either don't answer or pull over and talk to be safe for everybody.

Do you do it? I was wondering if you think there should be legislation against cyclists talking/texting while biking similar to doing it when driving?

no i dont talk or text while riding. the one time i did try to talk and ride i was almost hit by a guy talking on the phone and driving. that could have been ugly. luckily i still had a better reaction time than the dude in the car.

Why not just take a healthy dose of common sense. An experienced cyclist talking on the phone riding down a busy downtown street not so smart. Riding down a quiet residential street not so risky.


Or better yet, off the bike on the sidewalk making the voice or text call.