Cellphone Cyclists

[teigyr]

Count me in as one of the people who isn't graceful enough to talk and ride at the same time. I can retrieve my water bottle AND drink but that's about it. I've never been able to ride with no hands, even when I was young. I do carry my phone with me when I ride but it's on vibrate. If it rings and I'm at a chance to stop, I will unless I'm having a great ride and don't want to

I guess I don't know why people have to do it. I understand if there is something going on (like when my dad was in the hospital, I had my phone with me at all times) but rambling conversation? I also don't understand why people don't care that we hear all of it

Dunno. I don't want to judge but then again there is nothing worse than hearing a loud monologue about somebody's friends STD. And yeah, I will talk on the phone but I'll go lurk in a corner or something -- I just feel goofy walking around talking to nothingness.

[lizbids]

I hate hate hate cell-cyclists. I find they put themselves and everyone else in danger by not being totally focused. I feel the same way about drivers of cars.

I will say, if you are expecting a super-important call, then pull over safely. Between phones and iPods, people just tune out their surroundings. And don't get me started on no helmet-riders crusing against traffic, blowing stop signs and red lights, etc...

I always feel I am a target if I have my iPod on. In fact, when I get off the train to get to work in the morning, I purposely put it away in my bag, as the area I work in is known for muggings.

I don't mean to offend other cyclists who choose to join in this recreational-type behavior, but I do think it's wise to consider eliminating it. We can't be 100% sure of our saftey all the time, but we can certain improve our odds for successful, safe rides, correct? Safe riding!

[Veronica]

I hate hate hate cell-cyclists. I find they put themselves and everyone else in danger by not being totally focused. I feel the same way about drivers of cars.

You hate me and you don't even know me.

V.

[chickwhorips]

You hate me and you don't even know me.

V.

I still like ya.

[ace]

Apropos of this discussion, I was amazed when I was in Florence (Italy) recently that despite the INSANE traffic, I observed a fair number of cyclists riding while both talking on their cellphones and smoking cigarettes, and yet narrowly avoiding death. Impressive. I tried to get photos, but I never had my camera at the ready when I saw one of these folks. The best one I saw was a guy riding his bike, talking on his cellphone, and LIGHTING HIS CIGARETTE WITH A MATCH without slowing down. Viva Italia!

The weirdest part is that very few Italians seem to smoke anymore. I think I saw more smoking cyclists than smoking pedestrians.

[Zen]

I hate hate hate cell-cyclists. I find they put themselves and everyone else in danger by not being totally focused. I feel the same way about drivers of cars.

I will say, if you are expecting a super-important call, then pull over safely. Between phones and iPods, people just tune out their surroundings. And don't get me started on no helmet-riders crusing against traffic, blowing stop signs and red lights, etc...

I always feel I am a target if I have my iPod on. In fact, when I get off the train to get to work in the morning, I purposely put it away in my bag, as the area I work in is known for muggings.

I don't mean to offend other cyclists who choose to join in this recreational-type behavior, but I do think it's wise to consider eliminating it. We can't be 100% sure of our saftey all the time, but we can certain improve our odds for successful, safe rides, correct? Safe riding!

I agree wholeheartedly.
When someone is engaged in a cell phone conversation they are not mentally focused on the situation at hand which in turn endangers others. Not even the "hands-free" laws that are being implemented can resolve this.