John_

Recently, in the Chicago area, as it is dark earlier, the are more near serious accidents involving cyclists and unwary pedestrians and other improper cyclists who are casually and suddenly crossing streets without yielding right-of-way, without looking, using electronic devices, using no lights, wearing dark colored cloths, and, being unaware of their changing surroundings. One summer night on Lincoln Avenue near Lincoln Park, I almost experienced a head-on collision with another cyclist who was traveling in the wrong direction with no lights. Even while using the NiteRider 250 and CatEye HL-EL320 headlights during nighttime, if others are not using lighting and not wearing reflective cloths, there is a consistent vision compromise. Foremost, people need to look.

At first we might have thought that mobile technology was distracting to motorists alone. Now, we are not so sure, as other cyclists and pedestrians are using the same distracting, aggressive and dangerous technology such as phones, multimedia devices and GPS electronics, and also not subject to any formal or practically enforced regulation that motorists, as much as possible, are. Regarding this matter, we suddenly seem to be at the early part of the technological-societal compatibility learning curve with cyclists and pedestrians, much as we were during the advent of the automobile, when much was new, hap-hazzard and unregulated.

Way back-in-the-day of 1980s decade, I'm not sure if many kids absentmindedly crossed streets while playing their portable Pac-Man mini-arcade game. Or, not?

Be careful, all. And on the lighter side of, George Harrison's song titled "Beware of Darkness" gives some guidance.

bjorke

I California it is also illegal to play GameBoy on a bike -- not just in the car (it's also illegal to wear headphones, grrrrrr).

But, that said: very few motorists are traveling 15mph while texting. Big difference.

8Fishes

Headphones maybe illegal but at least one earbud inserted isn't. I just prefer noise dampeners (also legal) because of the loud buses, trollies, etc on my commuting route. They are also great when I need to airzound the god damn taxis that think they rule the road.


I'll have to agree with you on the fact that people biking in the dark don't seem to care if they are lit up or not at night. It freaking bothers me but like 50+% of the people I see don't seem to care to add a dinky blinker to at least be seen by other cyclists. I have also noticed that the ones that don't have lights tend to appear more 'aggressive' when riding. Maybe some sort of correlation can be assumed from the aggressiveness of a rider and safety of one's own well being.
I haven't seen much of a problem with texting or cell usage at least. Most people seem pretty good at just stopping to take a call. I've seen a dude on aero bars that looked like some texting action was going on but that was during bright summer days.

muu

Just get one of these guys and ditch the earbuds. Doubles as a mini handlebar bag, and frequently you won't have to get the attention of pedestrians because they'll hear you coming.
https://www.amazon.com/MP3-Bike-Stere.../dp/B003DQE8EM

I've had friends in Japan tell me the texting-on-a-bike thing is a huge problem over there, but every time I hear it I just let them know it's much less painful to get bopped by a 30lb bike going at 10mph. Some of those guys truly believe the world will be for the better if those folks drove instead...

spiker

I couldn't give any real numbers but I've seen tons of cyclists talking, texting & often smoking while riding. I don't think the word aggessive (I did note the quotes) does it, oblivious would be more accurate.

Steely Dan

the title of this thread really should begin with the word "Some".

sudoshift

Naturally given the season changes, I was in a potential head-on collision with a ninja-salmon. The other afternoon which is almost night with the time change as part of my hybrid commute. I decided to take my 16" folding Dahon Curve SL to work and meet up the missus at a local mall afterwards. Well since it was a last minute decision and I was antsy. I forgot to transfer over my Planet Bike Blaze from the regular 20" commuter. Since I gave away a separate PB 3-LED to my cousin for her bike. Yes the days get darker after 430 and this is riding near the beach where the friggin' sun sets no less!

I am riding along with my rear blinkies and in the front a Topeak Alien flashing LED. Hmm, in hindsight, I suppose I could have clamped one of the regular blinkies up front. Ah well. So the lane appears empty and suddenly a sillouhette appears. It was a guy riding dark. I move right and he moves to my left. Just shake my head and we continue on our way.

I was also blasting music from my Skully speaker. That mght have helped avoid the collision. Also noticed other riders with blinkies that might have been caught by surprise by the time change.

v0_boulder

Personally one can not change others actions and behaviors you have to look out for your self. Furthermore some sole just don't have the money or the desire to invest in proper gear. I would say let natural selection take care of its self. One can try to educate the masses but some times its not effective.

sonatageek

No, this is why there are laws and regulations for things. For example the threat of speeding tickets and points on ones drivers license surely reduces the number of speeding cars and I bet reduces the top speed of most of those people who do tend to speed.

It would be a hassle for people and the level of screaming and squealing would be deafening, but I would not be unhappy if folks riding bikes without lights and maybe without reflective cloths (or a vest) in the dark got tickets. It amazes me how people only think of themselves and never the other folks on the road/trail etc.

v0_boulder

Yeah try to tell a cop that he is on bicycle duty he would probably get laughed at. Unfortunately cycling does not command enough respect in most places. For example, bike thefts, being hit by cars. Unfortunate we don't get noticed by any authorities till critical mass or we hit someone.

CB HI

Although you, the cops and most judges think it is illegal to use headphones, the actual law simply prohibits hearing protection 'headsets and earplugs' on/in both ears (exception for motorcyclist) to prevent missing emergency sirens.

neil

And yet, we still kill fewer people.

Being a distracted pedestrian really only puts yourself at risk. Distracted cyclists can hurt somebody, but thanks to our fairly low speed, low weight, and high maneuverability, the likelihood and severity of an injury are still orders of magnitude lower than a distracted motorist. Motorists kill about as many people in an average hour as cyclists do all year.

These aren't equal sins.

distracted pedestrian < distracted cyclsits <<<<< distracted drivers

I think most judges have a better handle on the law than you do.

LesterOfPuppets

I'm typically hyper aware when I'm cycling, even when I have an mp3 player in ear. I think joggers, as a mode, have to be the most distracted lot I've ever come across. They're the most likely to be zoning out and impervious to exterior audio stimuli due to iPods.

Actually I don't think distracted is the right word for joggers. They're just the most likely to be situationally unaware.

Mark Stone

+1

Mark Stone

Agree. And automobile manufacturers are adding more electronics in new vehicles to make drivers even more distracted.

Booger1

They are if they wish to stay alive......

TurbineBlade

Yeah, equating the danger of cycling while texting to driving while texting is a perfectly reasonable thing to do.

I have a better idea -- pick one of the below scenarios as a demonstration of this:

1. You are a pedestrian crossing a major intersection at a crosswalk and you are t-boned by an cyclist wearing headphones/texting at 20 mph.

2. You are a pedestrian crossing a major intersection at a crosswalk and you are t-boned by a Ford Explorer at 20 mph because the driver was texting/fishing milk duds off of the carpet.

Note: If you require longer than 3 seconds to make a selection, you may be a champion of idiocy.

orionz06

Have you ever seen what a cyclist at even 15mph can do to pedestrians? Obviously the bigger hunk of metal wins, but both situations suck. Not really a fair comparison at all. Hell, look at what hits in contact sports can do, say rugby. Both parties are prepared for impact and still get injured. Lets line someone up who is not expecting it and see if they fare as well.