Cyclists using mobiles - WTF?

[knonist]

In cambridge, it is quite often to see people smoking whilst texting on a bicycle

 

[Arch]

In cambridge, it is quite often to see people smoking whilst texting on a bicycle

I know, some of those kids' thumbs move really fast when they text...

 

[shunter]

In cambridge, it is quite often to see people smoking whilst texting on a bicycle

I remember seeing a lad cycling with a fag in his mouth. Looked like he was breathing through the cigarette - maybe some sort of resistance training

 

[Mr Pig]

You might not be able to look ahead, plan ahead and steer with one hand at 10 mph, but I can

And use a mobile phone? Without compromising some of the above? If you say you can either you're talking rubbish or you are some kind of a god!

 

[addictfreak]

This is such a silly comment, try and get a sense of perspective, which is more dangerous: 1.5 tons of metal travelling at over 25 mph or 100 kg of cycle and rider travelling at 10 mph?

You might not be able to look ahead, plan ahead and steer with one hand at 10 mph, but I can, as most cyclist.

Get real! Just because you drive a car you are not God, the laws of physics still apply, sadly there are too many people with driving licences who do not understand this simple idea.

100kg of cycle and cyclist is more than capable of killing a pedestian, should he step out in front of you while you are riding and using your phone!

 

[knonist]

Is it actually "cool" to cycle with both hands off the handlebar?
Not just kids, I have seen a few 30 -40's yrs old doing it recently.

 

[garrilla]

I often ride no handed. And I have been known on the odd occasion to text while doing so - although you'd be hard pushed to find me doing when it wasn't safe to do so. However, there was a one occasion where a friend of mine saw me texting while riding as she drove the other way (I didn't see her, of course) and she sent me text asking if I should be texting and riding. I replied asking if she should be driving and texting.

 

[HJ]

100kg of cycle and cyclist is more than capable of killing a pedestian, should he step out in front of you while you are riding and using your phone!

Stop and think for a minute, how often does that happen? On average 7 people are killed by drivers everyday and thousands more are injured. In an average year 2 people will be killed by cyclist, usually where the cyclist is travelling at high speed.

Yes there is a very small risk with cyclists using phones, but it is vanishingly small. Cycle requires effort, to cycle fast requires a lot of effort. Therefore the speed at which a cyclist will be traveling when using a phone is very limited, it is only really possible at speeds of below about 10mph. At that speed, most people are capable of swerving out of the way if someone steps in front of them.

Driving on the other hand requires very little effort, and the level of effort doesn't increase significantly with increasing speed. Secondly the driver is heavily protected and so is less aware of the risk to them selves and other, the consequences of which are stated above. Driving is actually a relativity dangerous activity, but is rarely regarded as being so. Cycling is actually a relativity safe activity, but is rarely regarded as being so.

There is a very distorted perception of the risk in modern society we need to get this into perspective. We need to confront the way in which we look at road safety...

 

[knonist]

Stop and think for a minute, how often does that happen? On average 7 people are killed by drivers everyday and thousands more are injured. In an average year 2 people will be killed by cyclist, usually where the cyclist is travelling at high speed.

Yes there is a very small risk with cyclists using phones, but it is vanishingly small. Cycle requires effort, to cycle fast requires a lot of effort. Therefore the speed at which a cyclist will be traveling when using a phone is very limited, it is only really possible at speeds of below about 10mph. At that speed, most people are capable of swerving out of the way if someone steps in front of them.

Driving on the other hand requires very little effort, and the level of effort doesn't increase significantly with increasing speed. Secondly the driver is heavily protected and so is less aware of the risk to them selves and other, the consequences of which are stated above. Driving is actually a relativity dangerous activity, but is rarely regarded as being so. Cycling is actually a relativity safe activity, but is rarely regarded as being so.

There is a very distorted perception of the risk in modern society we need to get this into perspective. We need to confront the way in which we look at road safety...

the point is, even at 10mph, road users still need to concentrate on the road - and with at least one hand on the control

 

[garrilla]

the point is, even at 10mph, road users still need to concentrate on the road - and with at least one hand on the control

I'm not wanting to be facetios here, but why is that?

 

[Mr Pig]

At that speed, most people are capable of swerving out of the way if someone steps in front of them.

Assuming they notice them?

 

[knonist]

I'm not wanting to be facetios here, but why is that?

To brake and to avoid collusion (steer)

 

[garrilla]

Is there any danger of oversteering if a one-handed rider has to brake sharply?

(now I am being facetious)

 

[knonist]

Is there any danger of oversteering if a one-handed rider has to brake sharply?

(now I am being facetious)

I don’t know, but one is definitely better than none

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Is it actually "cool" to cycle with both hands off the handlebar?
Not just kids, I have seen a few 30 -40's yrs old doing it recently.

Of course it's "cool". It always was and always will be.