When I commute to work I always listen to my iPhone's music to keep the ride interesting. About half of it is on a limited access path, the other half is on roads. I use standard sony (http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR-J10-H.../dp/B000092YR6) headphones plugged into my iPhone, and when I get occasional calls I can answer. I have a backpack that has a spot for a phone on the strap, but during the summer months I use an exercise arm strap that holds the phone.

I get variable results in regards to call quality. Sometimes I can have perfect calls for the entire trip, even if it's very windy. Other days it will be totally calm and I won't be able to talk to the person on the other end.

Regarding safety, the speed of cars on the road I travel would essentially be impossible to avoid by the time I hear them so I might as well be accessible.

CycleMD, welcome to BF :)

Back in the day, if a phone call had to be made it could wait until a pay phone was located or I got home. I cannot imagine what kind of business needs to be conducted over the phone while one is on a bike. I carry my phone for an emergency, in which case I dismount and make my call.

I'm not a big fan either of music while on the bike, but at least it has one argument for it - cadence. Anyone who says they are not at least partially distracted while talking on the phone (hands-free) and operating a vehicle of any sort, is in denial.

Care to share reasons why you find it necessary to talk while you ride?

From my post earlier on:
While biking:
"I actually remove my helmet when i get a call because i find the strap gets in the way when i hold the phone to my ear. When i am not on the phone (this is rare now) i'll usually be writing on people's walls on Facebook or checking out celebrity Twitter posts because it is of the utmost importance i do this. Composing emails while on the bike is also a common thing for me. Ya, multitasking.

Don't worry folks, i hold my iPhone directly in front of my face looking forward so that i can occasionally glance around my phone to see where i am going.

. . i just wrote this while running a red light - i think? Maybe anyway, Lindsay Lohan just said something really cool on Twitter . . . "


I wonder how i could somehow incorporate eating into all this. Must think on this!

Problem is, it is not back in the day. Lot of jobs expect you to be available when just about everyone has cellphone. That would be the reason for work side of story. Back in the day, lot of things were not "necessary" either. Of course, I am not advocating the idea of unsafe riding but there are other perspective out there that are valid.
Maybe the person who need to be reachable just shouldn't ride bicycle if they have to wear headset while riding or change job?

False dichotomy.

The safest action is to pull over and stop if you receive a phone call while riding. Even if it can't wait until you reach your destination, it can wait until you can respond safely.

(I leave my phone in my seat wedge, FWIW.)

"Back in the day" cell phones didn't exist and you'd find a payphone or wait until you could get to a land line. By your logic you shouldn't even be carrying a cell phone for emergencies.

It's not about need or necessity, it's about convenience. I can talk to my sister or dad who are in another time zone while I commute on relatively quiet roads for an hour. Exercise, transportation, maintaining relationships... all made easy with bikes and technology. Pretty cool if you ask me.

Personally I don't care for music while riding unless I need some motivation while training. But with cell phones and headsets, it's virtually no different than having a conversation with a riding buddy. Obviously not appropriate for high traffic areas, but we try to avoid those on commutes anyway, right?

I can see the need for being able to answer. I do have a job where I need to be available in that aspect, and there's an expectation that I'm available. Having the phone in a messenger bag, stopping, getting it out and answering before it's a missed call isn't happening.

"Back in the day" there were pay phones, but we've changed a lot since then and there's an expectation in some fields (like technology) that you keep up.

Let me give you just one example why this might not be.
Emergency situation at work and you are called in. You are doing preliminary diagnostic routine/giving instruction while riding to home where you have better equipment (IE computer and being able to remote in and do it yourself or being able to write documentation once you are there, etc).
More and more jobs expects you to be connected even during "off" hours.
If I only had 8-5 job and never had to call in or get called in for emergency... well... I would probably agree. However, I do have a job where my availability is critical.
Hopefully I portrayed why it might be necessary and we can just agree to disagree and get back to answering original question ;)

You haven't made your point, no. Even in your example there is no reason given why you wouldn't be able to stop to take the call before continuing on to your destination. More over, your particular example would require considerable concentration, making it even riskier to continue on in traffic. (I've done a LOT of telephone tech support, but I wouldn't dare try it while riding or driving). Further, you'll be able to provide better support if you stop and give your full attention to the emergency at hand. (and the person on the other end of the phone will appreciate not having to hear you grunt and wheeze, too ;) )

Being available doesn't mean you MUST talk while riding.

Alright, guys. First off, it is not 'my logic', it is fact about pay phones and landlines. You make it sound like you're on call 24x7, in which case, I pity you. If you cannot afford some time off to just ride your bike without the distractions of everyday life, what a shame. I am not attacking you, I'm merely asking why life has to move so fast in general that you have to be that available? Are you the CEO of a Fortune 500 company?

Before you know it, we'll all accept that we have to be available 24x7 for whatever reason, then it's no longer life, it's work. I am on call every weekend. On my weekend rides, I turn the ringer up really high so there's no mistaking if someone calls. I stop, check the phone if I must, and do whatever is necessary. Nothing is so crucial that I have to have a headset in during my leisure time to immediately respond to a call. YMMV.

EDIT: Admittedly, life moves exponentially faster in this day and age. Availability and proliferation of information creates demands on our time that did not exist 35 years ago. I choose not to move as fast as the information curve.

My thoughts on the safety factor, while noting that I need to be available a large majority of time.

Risks:
1. Distracted
2. Can't hear as well,
3. Look like a crazy person talking to myself,
4. not as relaxed answering calls,

Benefits:
1. I'll actually ride my bike (I'd be too bored to do it otherwise),
2. Actually riding my bike will add more years to my life in terms of cardiovascular health than the minute increase in accident risk takes away,
3. I can keep my job,
4. I like to listen to music

So about equal, but number 1 and 2 of the benefits are the heavy hitters for me, and alone could outweigh the risks.