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| http://www.urban75.org/london/herne-hill-velodrome-cycling-film-night.html |
Last
October, Chicago Council passed a ban making it illegal for bicyclist to ride
their bicycle while on their cell phone on the roadway. This includes texting and talking on
the cell phone. On February 8, the
97th General Assembly of the State of Illinois voted 5-4 by the House
Transportation Committee sanctioned the ban making it illegal to use an
electronic communication device while riding a bicycle in Illinois! The bill, titled House Bill 3849, was
introduced originally back on October 19, 2011 by Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy. It stated that an electronic
communication device would be defined as, “…including but not limited to a
wireless telephone, personal digital assistant, or a portable or mobile
computer while being used for the purpose of composing, reading or sending an
electronic message, but does not include a global positioning system or
navigation system or a device that is physically or electronically integrated
into the motor vehicle”.
This ban applies to any person
operating a motor vehicle or bicycle on a roadway using an electronic
communication device to compose, send or read an electronic message. There are a few exclusions to this new ban. First, this does not apply to law enforcement
while performing his or her official duties. Second, while using an electronic communication device for
the sole purpose of reporting an emergency situation and continued
communication with emergency personnel.
Third, while using an electronic device in hands-free or voice-activated
mode. Fourth, while reading a
message displayed on a permanently installed communication device designed for
a commercial vehicle with a screen that does not excess 10 inches wide. Fifth
and sixth, are very similar which includes if the vehicle is parked on the
shoulder or in neutral or parked.
This can be read in further detail HERE.
Coincidently, several groups of
bicyclist have been pushing for such a ban to be placed to prevent the number
of accidents. However, there are a
few concerns regarding the new ban as expressed by state Rep. Don Moffitt. Moffitt was quoted in The Pantagraph
stating, “I just have some concerns about how far we’re reaching. This is a concern. One more regulation”. Is the state pushing bans to far? I asked myself this same question! One interesting article
I found about the dangers of texting while cycling involved a 16-year-old boy
in Owen Sound. Ontario. The boy
was riding his bicycle without a helmet and hit the rear of a parked
vehicle. He was ejected from the
bicycle, striking and smashing the rear window. In the article, Police spokesman Stephen MacKinnon states,
“You need to be careful and have your wits about you and what you’re doing,
because you can walk into things as well as ride into things”. He also stated the boy was treated at a
local hospital for some scratches and was then charged with careless
driving. In another article,
ER doctors discuss their rising number of encounters with injuries from people
trying to text and do something else at the same time. Another interesting case showcased in
this article was of a 39-year-old man who suffered a head injury after crashing
his bicycle into a tree while attempting to ride and text.
I realized the danger of texting and driving after seeing the numerous reports showing texting and driving causes more accidents then intoxication. I like many of you am guilty of texting while I drive every now and then but I never considered the danger of texting while riding a bicycle or walking for that matter. Although it sounds silly, like people would use common sense before texting on their bicycle of course they do not. A study done in 2010 by the faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences in Experimental Psychology at University of Groningen showed that text messaging had the largest negative impact on cycling performance compared to listening to music or just cycling. So next time you think about cycling keep your cell phone put away!
I thought this was a good read! Personally, I feel that banning bicyclists from using handheld devices is a good idea; especially those sharing the streets with automobiles. From my personal experience, I am always too comfortable and complacent while on my bike. I think this happens to me because danger associated with bicycle riding is the last thing that would come to mind. However, the reality of danger while riding a bike is apparent through your examples.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I think this is a good idea, I must admit that I am not sure if I would obey. Just as you confessed, I also text while I drive. The dangers of doing this has been proven true and yet I still do it. On a personal level, I think I would have the same attitude towards a texting while on a bicycle ban.
I completely agree with this ban of not riding a bike while texting, it can be just as worse as texting while driving a car. Driving in Chicago often you would notice the people on bikes drive like they are invinceable as it is. Bicyclists already will ride right in front of a moving car and on the side of you without slowing down, if they were distracted for even a few seconds this would increase accidents drastically. I also think it is fair that the ban excludes police usage because they are properly trained to do so, however, what if bicyclists were offered training, would they then be able to be exempt from this ban?
ReplyDeleteI also agree with banning texting while riding a bike. To often people are texting and not paying attention to where they are riding. As a motorist a texting bicyclist is just one more thing you have to worry about while driving.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that a ban on texting while riding a bike would be a good law to be put into place. Riding a bike and texting at the same time is very dangerous. I think it can be just as dangerous than driving and texting.
ReplyDeleteWay to go, there is nothing more obnoxious than a biker taking up to much of a road to begin with. When they are moving slow and swerving because of phones it can turn into a dangerous situation. Now only if a ban can be placed on texting while walking in Schroeder's hallways so people can sop being bumped in to. Cell phone technology has used to be very useful but it does distract from driving and every day activities that can cause danger to others. i anticipate as technology changes many more laws like this one will be implemented to keep up with the modern times.
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