Originally Posted by
SpeedyBlueBiker
Just like you are up to speed on basic bicycle maintenance, one should also be up to speed on other options that could possibly help them in situations where it could be beneficial to the user. The use of a mobile phone, credit cards, and ride sharing apps can take you to where you can get the services you need if you find yourself unable to self extricate yourself or others from the situation that you or they are in. It's true, in remote areas this may not be possible but in other very rural areas there may still be some type of service. Numerous incidents of people using mobile phones to call 911 for medical and/or rescue services (not bike related) while in remote mountain areas or on glaciated peaks. Mobile phones can and do work to access those services even though they might not provide internet or regular phone service.
As I explained in post 34 above, I live in a large metro area but I can get out of cell service range in dozens to hundreds of places within 60 miles in just about any direction. Increase that to 200 or 300 miles and there are thousands of places. That includes emergency services and in areas that are very rural. There are very large rocks in the way of any kind of signal or simply no cell tower anywhere nearby. Getting a ride from someone is even less likely since the “ride” is unlikely to be able to get anywhere close to you.
My responses to this thread and to the “credit card” issue were to someone suggesting that credit card was all that anyone needs when riding. While most of my riding is in a metro area, I…like many here…wander very far afield where services aren’t available. I can easily do a 300 mile ride just in my state where there aren’t even towns. If I need it, I had better carry it.
I plan on getting a satellite messaging system in the future but that is not something that I would depend on for anything
but emergency services. The best plan is to be prepared to self-extract in just about any situation and
not depend on spotty cell phone service or ride shares. I
do carry a credit card…as I’ve explained above…but I don’t depend on it.