Bike + talking on cellphone = $250 USD fine in NJ
 

Ran into this while looking for jerseys. http://fanpotai.wordpress.com/2007/0...nj-250-ticket/

This proposal has already been trashed - almost as soon as it was reported.

Mobile phones are illegal in cars in NJ though, so why not bikes as well?

Because bikes aren't cars? Or people riding bicycles are not people driving cars?

I think just a slap to the back of the head by anyone within reach should be mandatory.

I don't see this law as being ridiculous. Riding a bike in traffic requires the riders full attention and coordination. It's always irked me when I see other cyclists swerving all over the road just so they can talk on their cell phones while on a road bike :eek: . Me thinks this law is to protect the cyclist more than anything else. After all we don't have 2 tons of metal around us if we get in an accident.

But then again, this could be natures way of weeding out the idiots.

Unfortunately, it's because we as people are becoming ridiculous.

Take a drive with my Mom and see how much attention she pays to driving when on her cell phone.

Stop and talk, it's simple and safe. Remember what happens when someone downloads ringtones while driving their car? They run people over. It would be better for them to get a $250 fine and potentially save a life.

Sorry for the rant; just sick of cell phones and many obnoxious users.

If cyclists can't use their cells while riding, it'd make it difficult for messengers to talk to their dispatchers. I think if common sense was practiced more, a lot of laws could be done away with.

Well this year when I start riding again I'll be using a http://www.skullcandy.com LINK bag. The bag can't hold a full load unless you mod the shoulder straps with a little more padding. That bag can turn the cellphone into a speakerphone while you're riding and also can play music at the same time while you're on the phone. Because everything is speaker based (yes it has a headphone port on the left strap) and close to the ears you can turn the volume down and totally hear traffic/peds/etc all around.

When riding I normally have a hands free set on the right side ear (because the left side is facing traffic to hear the cars) and just turn the volume as low as possible and when I take a call I always ask the person talking to pause for a moment if I need to make a turn. Most of the times I take to the side of the road or on the grass and take the call.

BTW found out that bag works with walkie talkies as well :D

Zero_Enigma

But... but... but...
If they outlaw cycle-cellphoning, then only outlaws will cycle-cellphone!

The prohibition in NJ for talking on a cell phone while driving is a secondary offense. This means that you can not be stopped or cited for use of a hand-held cell phone while driving unless you commit another violation.

It is very common to see people driving while on the phone in NJ. Maybe the legislature in NJ should make this a primary offense with a hefty fine.

I have yet to see anyone talking on a cell phone while riding a bicycle.

You should ride our MUPs sometime... it happens every d*mn day, I tell ya, every d*mn day!


I still firmly believe that a slap upside the head would be sweet. And if that doesn't work, pepper spray.

I'd pay to see this scene:

(Gasp, choke, splutter) "Sorry, man, I've got to hang up now. I can't see or breathe. Catch you later!"

I often ride and talk on the cell phone.

If fellow cyclists are ready to pepper spray me, I guess I'll have to take that chance. :D

Peper spray: check, safety off: check, now to look for ghettocruiser yaking on his cell.

I once heard a police officer say that most laws were enforcing either common sense or common decency.

Although: I'm basically against this sort of legislation. It validates the idea that if you aren't talking on a cell phone and still manage to have a collision because you are an idiot then its okay because its just an "accident".

To make it easier to identify me, I'll also be having a snack and monkeying with my GPS at the same time.

The more I read about proposed laws to protect ourselves from ourselves - i.e. Can't cross the street with an iPod, moderate portions at restaurants, can't do this and that while on cell phone, the more libertarian I become.

Laws should exist to protect people from defective airbags, plummeting elevators, and exploding microwaves. Something out of the consumer's control. We don't need to be "nanny stated" like a bunch of five year olds.

edit - but I freely admit to being a hyprocite when it serves me, for example I love smoking bans in bars, and the limitation of private growth on open spaces.

The US makes me laugh.

Luxemburg gives me a chuckle at times too.

That's OK, you could email me from your on-bike computers and tell me how you like my new approach to cell phone users on MUPs:

http://www.portlandmercury.com/binar...0/ex-7865.jpeg



;)

I support the law. Maybe you can use one hand and still concentrate enough to be able to ride perfectly responsibly while still holding a conversation, but most people can't, and those people are being reckless. I regularly have to dodge a few Swervy McChattersons on my commute, and I could do without them.

Bring my computer home from work yesterday a coworker commented on how it was to cold to bring it home.

My response "Thats fine, I don't plan on using it on the bike"

Their response "Your an a$$hole"