I like to use my cell phone while biking, and my girlfriend hates it!

I am posting this so that my girlfriend and I can both see what others have to say. She is concerned about safety and so am I.

I believe I am doing it in a safe manner and would like to get others' opinions on this subject. I don't believe this is all that different from driving while using the phone, as long as they are done in a safe manner.

Firstly, I'd like to give my thoughts on cell phone in a car, and then compare to bicycling.

YES, I AGREE that using a cell phone in the car increases your chances for an accident. But so does eating, drinking a refreshing beverage, chewing gum, smoking, changing the stations/volume/CD on the stereo, adjusting your cruise control, pushing the button to electrically roll up or down a window, and turning the switch to activate your windshield wipers. Someone might also be able to pose an argument that all of these things actually DEcreases your chances of an accident, since without them all of those muscles might get stiff from non-use. By changing the radio stations you are excercising your wrist, fingers and arm, and perhaps this helps keep those muscles in a more ready situation for an emergency.

Over the years the car manufacturer's have improved the features in order to accomodate these "things" that people want to do while driving. Some of the enhancements might be considered luxury items, but if you think about it, they also help with safety. Surely pushing a button to electrically up/down your window takes less effort and IS SAFER than twirling the knob/handle to do so, or leaning across the seat for the passenger side! It's a lot easier to SCAN radio stations with the new stereos. They even now include pop-out cup holders. I wouldn't be surprised if the earlier cars didn't even have ashtrays! And maybe their windows didn't even open/close!

Communicating while driving via a cell phone is just a way of life for us. PERIOD!
I've had my cell phone for about 8 years now, and I've ALWAYS used the hands-free while in my car. I don't see any safety problem with this any more than someone who is drinking a soda or smoking a cigarette. I absolutely cannot imagine someone driving a car and NOT using a hands-free.

Just last Tuesday my hands-free broke. I thought I'd just wait for the weekend to shop for a new one. Tuesday night I wanted to make a call on my phone and did so, without the hands-free. I was QUITE FRIGHTENED when I was on that call! I had to hold the phone to my head with one hand. I felt I was at such a disadvantage at that point. I always thought that people today that drive cars without a hands-free are nuts. Well, now I think that they are insane and should be committed! I'm actually surprised that it was only recently that the laws were enacted that required the use of hands-free in a car.

There are features built into the phones that make it easier, and safer, to use. You have the one-button-call feature which allows you to call someone by pressing a single (or two) digit(s). The buttons are designed so that you can dial by FEELING them instead of actually reading them. And they also have the ability to dial by VOICE COMMAND! WONDERFUL STUFF !

Ok, so now back to the biking.

I'm sure everyone's situation is different, so I'm just going to tell you about mine.

I have mounted my flip phone onto the top of my stem with velcro. Unfortunately, I don't believe that a quality hands-free product exists that has a good enough noise-cancelling feature to work while on a bicycle. So the only way I could find to use the phone while biking is to actually have the flip phone open and up against my ear. Well, I figured out that I could do that, and the phone is thin enough that the strap from my helmet can hold it in place with tension. It's not so tight that should I fall off the bike it would most probably fall off the strap. In other words, I don't expect that if I got into an accident that I'd wind up with a cell phone in my mouth. The phone would dislodge immediately.

I also ride primarily on very smooth, very minimal traffice roads, or in our local gigantic park which has virtually no traffic thru the 1 mile lap. I am not a speedster, so I am only doing about 14-23mph.

When I want to place a call, I go very slow and when I end the call I go slow in order that I can remove the phone from the strap. After the call the phone is placed right in front of me velcroed to the stem.

I find it pleasureable to use my cell phone while biking. Of course once/if I join a bike club and I go out with other bikers then it would probably be rude to use the phone while biking, so then I wouldn't do it at all.

Ok, there you have it.

Comments?

Geez dude, couldn't you just spring for the piece that fits around your ear? It would be a lot less hassle and you would be able to keep your phone some place SAFE like a pocket and just voice dail.

As long as you can keep both hands doing what they are supposed to be doing (ever wonder how those folks that just have to express themselves with their hands while talking manage to use a phone?) and you don't try to multitask too much it should be okay although when I was a cab driver I made a point of looking at the people around me in their cars (trying to determine if they see me) and a lot of people that talked on phones not only had one hand busy with the phone but also had other things going on at the same time. Often they seemed to have this glazed look in their eyes and you knew their attention was else where and not on the road. Maybe your girlfriend sees this quality in you while your on the phone and finds it disturbing that you aren't effectively delegating your attention where it needs to be. Kinda makes me wonder when it's clear you don't have the sense to by a inexpensive earpiece for your phone and instead go through a bunch of contortions. Or maybe she finds it insulting that you would be more conciderate of some bike club strangers then you would be to her.

By the way sorry if I come across harsh. Cell phone use while driving was a pet peeve of mine when I was driving cab because I was on the road so much I would see at least 50 bonehead stunts a day. A lot of them involved people holding cell phones to their ears.

This has been discussed a whole lot. If you want to see what people on this forum think, see:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=62571&highlight=cell+phone

Why don't you just pull over, stop, and make the call? Why are you out riding a bike if you're going to be on the phone?

Try leaving the phone behind and enjoying the ride.

ANY kind of distraction to the operator of a vehicle is hazardous. Phone talking is one of them, even with hands-free.

Including eating, drinking, smoking, flipping the radio controls. Just because the car manufaturers accomodate us by providing these controls doesn't mean it's a good idea to use them. McDonalds will sell me any number of Big Macs, doesn't mean I should buy all I am capable of eating.

YOU are responsible for your safety, not anyone else. You are the pilot, whether you are in the left-hand seat of an aircraft, powering a motorboat, on the saddle of your bike, or driving your car. Don't try to pass it off on anyone else, esp. not the equipment manufacturer.

My employer's (Schlumberger) safety dept. did a lot of research, and our company policy is: no cell phone while moving, even with hands-free. If you crash a vehicle on business, and you were talking on the phone, you could be terminated. People have been axed for this reason.

We have one of the lowest vehicle accidents rates in our industry. Which we are proud of.

I agree with your girlfriend. Safety issues notwithstanding, many cyclists ride in order to escape from cell phones, not bond with them.

Out of curiosity, what kind of calls are you possibly making while riding? Business calls? Chit-chatting with friends? Psychic hotline?

If someone riding with me made or answered a call, I would never ride with them again.
I consider it boorish, distasteful, and a serious breach of cycling etiquette.

Well, I'm referring to rides where I am by myself, and the calls are to friends/relatives. For any given 60 minute ride I might spend 15 minutes on the phone, not the whole ride. I think it kinda makes the ride more pleasurable and interesting!

Studies have shown that hands free devices make no difference in cell phone related traffic accidents. The problem is not what your hands are doing, it's what your brain is doing. I expect it's no difference with cycling if not worse.

Equating the risk of phone use to chewing gum, adjusting wipers, etc. is silly and is a denial tactic. Using the phone in a car carries similar risk as reading a book or watching TeeVee while driving.

I bring a cell phone with me in case of emergency's, but I would never attempt to talk on it while cycling. Phones are a distraction, chewing gum is not.

If you have nextel you can dc people while your riding like the messengers do but If you get a call from some one it's best to pull over and talk.

I ride out on quiet country roads where cars are a rarity, and I'll admit that I'll grab my phone when it rings....BUT.... I immediately begin slowing down from my pace when I feel it, then grab the phone as I'm pulling to the side of the road. Every once in awhile, I'll keep spinning along at ~5mph if I know it's just going to be a 5 second call, but keep in mind that I'm riding in backwoods, Indiana. Sometimes, for whatever reason, I'll take the bike/jogging trail, and I constantly see shirtless guys on mountain bikes, talking on their phones, weaving back and forth across the trail. I always scream "COMING AROUND YOUR LEFT!!!!" as loud as possible right in their ear when I see that sort of crap. The LEAST the slowpokes could do for anyone who is actually riding their bike is hold a straight line. Okay... rant over.

What is different about the distraction of a cell phone whether hand held or not and other distractions is that the caller cannot see your traffic situation and if you stop talking for a few seconds the caller demands attention by saying "are you there?" It is dangerous whether on bike or in a car. It is illegal to use an earphone on a bike in the USA. All states now accept the Univeral Vehicle Code.

I don’t understand how anyone can have the breath to carry-on a conversation on a cell phone while biking? When riding with someone, conversation is usually spoken in short bursts of verbige with a pause between sentences that would leave someone on the other end wondering if they were dropped.

With that said… I’m looking for a waterproof, easy access, cell phone holder for my bike. I often receive “emergency” calls from home (5 kids), or work (24/7) while riding. I see an average of 10 cars on my 13 mile commute. So I feel it safe to answer the phone, but I want easy access so I don’t have to come to a stop.

I don’t understand how anyone can have the breath to carry-on a conversation on a cell phone while biking? When riding with someone, conversation is usually spoken in short bursts of verbige with a pause between sentences that would leave someone on the other end wondering if they were dropped.

With that said… I’m looking for a waterproof, easy access, cell phone holder for my bike. I often receive “emergency” calls from home (5 kids), or work (24/7) while riding. I see an average of 10 cars on my 13 mile commute. So I feel it safe to answer the phone, but I want easy access so I don’t have to come to a stop.

Zip lock baggie and stick it in your rear pocket.

simple, I will talk,but only after I parked my bike.

i refuse to talk while riding, and anyone who call bombs, me including my boss will be told to kindly "f---ing stop". Yes, i told my boss off for calling me 15 times in 3 minutes....I told him even in a car I will NOT answer a call, but instead will find a safe place to pull over and then call him back...if he call bombs me , I will not reply. I don't play that game. Just because you CAN use it while driving, doesnt mena you SHOULD.

It's funny how when it's buisiness, people think they can get away with being rude and outright dangerous behavior like this.

Anyways cell phones are the most useless items for some people....i actually saw two women who were ACROSS THE FREAKING STEET, using their camera phones to window shop with each other....now WTF is that? Some people make my head hurt :(

Well, I'm referring to rides where I am by myself, and the calls are to friends/relatives. For any given 60 minute ride I might spend 15 minutes on the phone, not the whole ride. I think it kinda makes the ride more pleasurable and interesting!

If my sister called me while I was on the bike, I'd ride right over to her house (which would be a fantastic workout) and kick her ass. Seriously though, it's dangerous and I can't think of any reason short of someone dying to talk to someone on the phone while riding. I carry mine at all times in case I need it, but it's not for casual conversation. It's packed in a trunck bag so I can't hear it if it rings.

I carry my cellphone in a cellphone holder probably deigned to be carried on a person, instead I have it wrapped around my handle bars. I carry it strictly for emergencies. If I receive a call, which is a rarity I will pull off the trail or road to take it but will not ride and talk.

For any given 60 minute ride I might spend 15 minutes on the phone, not the whole ride.
What the...? Why don't you just cut your ride short to 45 minutes. Then you can talk to your heart's content without jeopardising other road/path users like me.

But then I suppose you blow red lights and stop signs, ride on the incorrect side, ride on the sidewalk and do all those other illegal things that really don't matter.

blow red lights and stop signs, ride on the incorrect side, ride on the sidewalk and do all those other illegal things that really don't matter.

Now we are talking

simple, I will talk,but only after I parked my bike.

i refuse to talk while riding, and anyone who call bombs, me including my boss will be told to kindly "f---ing stop". Yes, i told my boss off for calling me 15 times in 3 minutes....I told him even in a car I will NOT answer a call, but instead will find a safe place to pull over and then call him back...if he call bombs me , I will not reply. I don't play that game. Just because you CAN use it while driving, doesnt mena you SHOULD.

It's funny how when it's buisiness, people think they can get away with being rude and outright dangerous behavior like this.

Anyways cell phones are the most useless items for some people....i actually saw two women who were ACROSS THE FREAKING STEET, using their camera phones to window shop with each other....now WTF is that? Some people make my head hurt :(

Although mine is never turned on, and I only check for voice mail occassionally.........."What He Said".

I just leave mine on so i can hearit ringing and know I have to pull over somewhere and call them back...that is if i'm in an area where i can even be heard...morning traffic on first street is pure noise.

ANY kind of distraction to the operator of a vehicle is hazardous. Phone talking is one of them, even with hands-free.

Including eating, drinking, smoking, flipping the radio controls. Just because the car manufaturers accomodate us by providing these controls doesn't mean it's a good idea to use them. McDonalds will sell me any number of Big Macs, doesn't mean I should buy all I am capable of eating.

YOU are responsible for your safety, not anyone else. You are the pilot, whether you are in the left-hand seat of an aircraft, powering a motorboat, on the saddle of your bike, or driving your car. Don't try to pass it off on anyone else, esp. not the equipment manufacturer.

Exactly. This is my pet hate, even though it is an offence here, there are still thousands of drivers who carry on holding mobiles to their `thick`heads whilst trying hopelessly to control a 2ton vehicle with one hand. In my opinion, car manufacturers are irresponsible by putting all this electronic crap in vehicles. I know, they are just caterring for an increased demand from the public as technology constantly improves, but there has to come a point when legislation is brought forward to halt this insane practice. Enough is enough, there is too much carnage on our roads, due to idiototic driving without adding to it by installing more and more bloody gadgets to distract brain-dead numbties! :mad: Last week I saw a car pass me with a DVD screen built into his dashboard??!! I mean come on, this surely is illegal for crying out loud. :eek:

Personally, I only take my mobile with me when I go out riding on my own - just for emergencies. What did we use to do in the good old days without mobiles? :) When we used to drink from garden hoses, go out playing in the mud, disappear in the morning and come back at night and your parents never batted an eyelid, were scared stiff of a policeman etc. Society has gone too soft. People want their arses kicking nowadays. :mad: Sorry, rant over, flew off on a tangent there....

Anyway, Steve212, I would either take it with you if you really have to and stop to use it (set an example), or leave it behind and get a life back :) .

I only read the first post and have not read any other responses but since you asked here is my opinion

Cell Phones are only a way of life because you choose it PERIOD

Most of your argument for the use of cell phones is justification and full of excuses.

That phone call that you HAD to make with out your hands free was it a mater of life and death or could of it waited until you SAFELY pulled over and placed the call?

Can't you live with out your phone for a couple of hours while you ride?

Its attitudes like yours (spoiled if you ask me, wait you did) are what causes the problem. You act like talking on a cell phone is some kind or right, well it isn't.

I think this was someone's e-mail signature, but it seems to apply here:


Don't get me wrong -- I am not advocating that we kill all the stupid people; I'm only saying we should remove all the warning labels and let things sort themselves out.


Talk on your cell phone, eat your lunch, and fiddle with your radio; and when your luck runs out, you will have no one to blame but yourself.

If you can't figure it out for yourself, there is no explaining it to you.

Dan

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.

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!

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.


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.

I'm surely not sane.
Line me up after you at the lunatic asylum.

Lunitics are more fun :D

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.

When he finally does wipe out I can't say I would feel too sorry for him.

or in cases like my friend who likes to chat all day on it, it could possibly contribute to ending your life

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.

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.

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

I have to admit, I'm not one of those people that get into some nirvana zen like state of masturbatory 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.

Out of curiosity, what kind of calls are you possibly making while riding? Business calls? Chit-chatting with friends? Psychic hotline?
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

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.

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 :)

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.

Why don't you just pull over, stop, and make the call? Why are you out riding a bike if you're going to be on the phone?

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

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."

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.

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

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

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

I never needed a phone every hour of every day for the first 27 years of my life, why start now?

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 :D

I agree with your girlfriend. Safety issues notwithstanding, many cyclists ride in order to escape from cell phones, not bond with them.

Out of curiosity, what kind of calls are you possibly making while riding? Business calls? Chit-chatting with friends? Psychic hotline?

If someone riding with me made or answered a call, I would never ride with them again.
I consider it boorish, distasteful, and a serious breach of cycling etiquette.


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.

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!

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!

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.

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.