Originally Posted by
D1andonlyDman
I definitely disagree that cell phones haven't resulted in a sea change in the overall hazard level for cyclists - it's a statistical fact that nowadays, cell phone distraction rivals drunk driving as the largest cause of auto accidents in general - and while drunk driving happens mostly at night - cell phone use in the car happens mostly during the day time when most of us ride. It is a fact that drivers distracted by cell phone use while driving is the single greatest safety threat for recreational cyclists on public roads.
And yet, where are all these accidents? The
overall accident rate is not rising dramatically. And more to the point that the OP is dealing with, it certainly isn't rising dramatically enough for bicyclists to abandon the right side of the road and play dodge-em on the left.
However, if you believe I'm wrong on that point, feel free to ride against traffic or on the sidewalk, or abandon the roads entirely. For my part, while I agree about the risks of driving while texting, I'll continue to take my chances on the right. In short, there may be a storm, but the sky isn't falling.