J. R., I too use a cell phone and feel the same about it as you do.
I don't have a car, but if I did, I would use my phone the same way as you.
And having the cell phone with me on my bike is not only a comfort because (1) I ride through lots of dangerous areas; (2) I might crash and the cell phone would permit me to call for help; but also because I might see somebody else that needs help, and be able to call.
Pay phones are getting scarce around here!
One time I was walking in midtown and came upon two cars that had collided. Passers-by were standing around one car and two occupants of the car had blood streaming down their faces. One passer-by was saying nice banal comforting things like "Everything will be all right" and "Don't worry" but I wondered where the ambulance was. I broke in to ask, "Has anybody called 911?" Blank stares. "I don't think so," said a bystander.
I went over to a nearby pay phone (this was before I had a cell phone) and called 911. Police came within two minutes. Eventually the wreck required two ambulances....
Sometimes I think people are out of touch with reality: they think everything is just TV.