Silly Cyclist on his phone

[Marbler]

This idiot takes offense to me reminding him not to use his phone on the road.


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIuvD3ZQduE


Personally if he wants to risk his neck go crazy but do it away from everyone else.

Plopa

 

[GFamily]

This idiot takes offense to me reminding him not to use his phone on the road.

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=YIuvD3ZQduE

Personally if he wants to risk his neck go crazy but do it away from everyone else.

Plopa

I don't think that he was putting himself or others in particular danger. He was travelling at a reasonable speed and seemed to be in control.

I do wonder if you were paying him too much attention though; as it did seem to be affecting your positioning.

 

[frank9755]

You seem to think the cyclist was doing something wrong. He wasn't.

There's no law against cyclists, or pedestrians for that matter, using mobile phones.

 

[guitarpete247]

I spotted a guy last month on the phone with a bus breathing down his neck.

By 'eck there's some idiots out there

. I expect to see them soon on the Darwin Awards sometime soon

.

 

[ianrauk]

I agree with the above. He wasn't actually doing anything wrong in the eye's of the law. Certainly no £30 fine. He was just pootling along at a slow speed on the phone. Didn't look to be endangering anybody. So think you inflamed the situation to be honest. If it was me I would have just let him get on with it.

 

[BlackPanther]

I wouldn't pay too much attention to others bad habits on the road, just be extra cautious when passing them, get in front and don't get stressed. There is no specific offence for talking on a mobile phone while cycling. However, you could be prosecuted for careless or inconsiderate cycling contrary to section 29 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

I'm reminded of an incident last year. A couple of kids on a pedestrian Xing crossed on the 'red man'. A cyclist in front of me had to almost stop on a green traffic light. He turned to shout a brief lecture at the kids (now on the opposite pavement) about waiting for the green, only to sail straight through a red light himself 20 yards further on! He would have been taken out by a car if the driver hadn't done an emergency stop.

 

[straas]

I was getting a lift the other day on a route I cycle in the day.

During rush hour there was a woman riding along with one hand on her handlebars - she was also holding her d-lock with this hand.

She was texting with her other hand, though she may well have been sending an email as she carried this on for about a mile and a half - don't think she looked at the road once.

 

[Bman]

You seem to think the cyclist was doing something wrong. He wasn't.

There's no law against cyclists, or pedestrians for that matter, using mobile phones.

I would say he was breaking the law, but your right in the fact there are no laws preventing cyclists using mobiles (specifically).

I would argue he wasnt in full control
He did not have the two required methods of braking
Could not signal his right turn
Was not paying proper attention (shoulder checks)

The OP is right. Why is this any different to motorists doing the same? (Ok, except for the "level" of extra danger caused - ie, weight of vehicle).

Its socially unacceptable, or at least, should be.

 

[BentMikey]

I don't think you could argue the cyclist was doing nothing wrong on the phone. Cyclists are prosecuted for this reasonably regularly, IMO. I believe some coppers tried to nail a skater for skating in the road on the phone, but it failed due to having no handlebars or other controls.

 

[Marbler]

Interesting. I wasn't aware it wasn't a specific offense.

Having said that its still an offense to cycle without due care and attention (which he has commited) under the RTA which I believe carries an FPN of £30 anyway.

 

[gaz]

The cyclist is certainly silly, whilst he may not be in any danger just cycling along, being on the phone is a distraction as it is. Yet alone not having the use of your front brake, this cyclist will not be able to stop in an emergency!

 

[Bicycle]

I answer my 'phone when cycling if I think it's safe. When it's my wife or a good friend I yell "I'm on the bike!" in a failed attempt at comedy.

I stop if it looks like it's going to be a long chat. Often people hear me puffing away and cut it short as they know where I am.

Sometimes I let it ring out - if I'm fixed-gear on Euston Road between a bus and a white van... never a good place for a private chat.

Once or twice I've made a call from a moving bicycle, but usually off-road or on an empty rural A-road.

Similarly, I get snacks out of my back pocket while moving, unwrap Mars Bars (surprisingly hazardous) and drink from my bottle.

When I was a motorcycle courier I answered my radio on the bike (shouting through a full-face, of course).

Sometimes people will overstep what many will see as the mark, but I'm not sure your Youtube transgressor was doing anything terribly naughty.

In truth I thought his restraint was quite admirable, coupled as it was with a slightly bemused look.

I'd be inclined to take that clip off Youtube.

 

[snorri]

its still an offense to cycle without due care and attention (which he has commited) under the RTA which I believe carries an FPN of £30 anyway.

Is that not the charge you leave yourself open to whilst attempting to establish a shouted conversation with another moving road user?

 

[david1701]

good luck to him, I tried holding my phone as a sat nav the other day at 3 mile an hour while lost on some lanes and ended up dropping it and running it over before abandoning the enterprise and pushing the bike until I knew where I was going

 

[jeltz]

Whether its legal or not doesn't detract from the fact he's a cock. No road user should be on the phone while in motion.

JMHO