Dutch Cyclists Face Mobile Phone Ban

Megalith

Megalith

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Using a smartphone while riding a bicycle is dangerous, says the Netherlands: the Dutch, whose legislators have already banned the use of phones while driving a motor vehicle, is extending that current law to bikes. Cyclists were initially excluded because of their lower speeds.

While research suggests the number of cyclists who need emergency care after an accident involving a mobile phone may not be particularly high, less serious accidents have become increasingly common, particularly among young people. One in five bike accidents involving people aged 12 to 25 last year involved a smartphone, according to one estimate.
 
I don't understand how some people manage to hold a smartphone in one hand, a drink in another and think they can still come to an immediate stop.
 
i had slight cyclist using mobile crash into my parked car as i was walking back to it (well it Conveniently and funny was someone i know 2 doors away from where i live and he hit my car 3 miles away, out of any one who could of done it it was him :p )
 
Smashing Young Man said:
How hard is it to stop your frickin' bicycle if you need to use your phone?
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Depending on speed, posture and brake type, trivial to stupidly hard.

Upright bikes have very high center of gravity, so when a person decelerates on a bike, unless they are properly bracing themselves against the handlebars, they stand the chance of losing grip and falling off and into their own bike.
Unless the single hand is holding onto the stem, there is also a factor of the handlebars being turned, as the body pushes into the handlebar. Turning handlebars when coming to a quick stop is a good way to wipeout. It is really only possible to grab the stem and brake with a bike that has coaster (backpedal) brakes, or fixed gear.

Now, as with all things brakes, It's a lot more effective to brake with the front wheel, and I have yet to see a bike that has a front brake that can be actuated by foot or otherwise, so bikes with rear only brakes cannot come to a sudden stop.

TLDR, don't go faster than walking speed, approximately 5km/h, if you are riding one handed... That is, unless, you want to win a Darwin award.
 
cyberguyz said:
Ok, now that is going just a little too far. This rampant control crap has to stop!!! Let evolution weed out the numbskulls that can't ride a bike and talk at the same time.
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That is tempting, and dont get me wrong the heard really do need thinning.

BUT ! if you get in any alterations here with a Bicyclist of pedestrian then there will be hell to pay if you are in a car, this are one of the prime reasons i got into dashcams, cuz no way in hell will i retake my license cuz some zombie stroll out in front of me.
 
Megalith said:
Using a smartphone while riding a bicycle is dangerous, says the Netherlands: the Dutch, whose legislators have already banned the use of phones while driving a motor vehicle, is extending that current law to bikes. Cyclists were initially excluded because of their lower speeds.

While research suggests the number of cyclists who need emergency care after an accident involving a mobile phone may not be particularly high, less serious accidents have become increasingly common, particularly among young people. One in five bike accidents involving people aged 12 to 25 last year involved a smartphone, according to one estimate.
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Using a <insert anything> while <insert activity that requires close attention> is dangerous. No shit...
 
Here in Denmark you get a medium sized fine for doing either - the same fine that is.

Don't talk on your phone and operate a vehicle at the same time. I never talk on my phone or operate it while driving either car or bike. It's irresponsible.

And the people going "oh but it weeds out the idiots" are idiots. If we look away from the idiot in question, then that person has someone who potentially kills them or otherwise injures them in an accident who is now traumatized. That has impact. The person who died or was injured probably has responsibilities and family, so that has a potentially even higher impact. It's not a singular accident.

Wear a helmet, don't drink and drive, don't smoke while you drive, don't talk on the phone while you drive and don't text or google things while you drive or ride or whatever you do. You're not just endangering yourself, you're endangering others. And THAT is why it's so contemptible to act in that way.
 
I believe bicyclists have right of way over cars and pedestrians in Holland so that kind of adds another layer as to why they are being banned.
 
Kvhr36m31 said:
I believe bicyclists have right of way over cars and pedestrians in Holland so that kind of adds another layer as to why they are being banned.
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Correct, wasn't always the case but the last 35 years or so.
 
What about unicyclists? They naturally have hands free to use for whatever.
 
cyberguyz said:
Ok, now that is going just a little too far. This rampant control crap has to stop!!! Let evolution weed out the numbskulls that can't ride a bike and talk at the same time.
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I guess you couldn't think to far to realize the cyclist impact on other trafficants?
 
Malurt said:
Here in Denmark you get a medium sized fine for doing either - the same fine that is.

Don't talk on your phone and operate a vehicle at the same time. I never talk on my phone or operate it while driving either car or bike. It's irresponsible.

And the people going "oh but it weeds out the idiots" are idiots. If we look away from the idiot in question, then that person has someone who potentially kills them or otherwise injures them in an accident who is now traumatized. That has impact. The person who died or was injured probably has responsibilities and family, so that has a potentially even higher impact. It's not a singular accident.

Wear a helmet, don't drink and drive, don't smoke while you drive, don't talk on the phone while you drive and don't text or google things while you drive or ride or whatever you do. You're not just endangering yourself, you're endangering others. And THAT is why it's so contemptible to act in that way.
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You are talking common sense and respect for others here.
You have to realize thats' not the US mentality its all about MY freedom over here.
 
SvenBent said:
You are talking common sense and respect for others here.
You have to realize thats' not the US mentality its all about MY freedom over here.
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And you know this how? Because of the media? The US is comprised of a large number of disparate ethnic groups with a variety of viewpoints some of which do not agree with your statement. I live in the US and some of my neighbors will gladly trample all over my freedoms just to feel good about themselves...
 
kju1 said:
And you know this how? Because of the media? The US is comprised of a large number of disparate ethnic groups with a variety of viewpoints some of which do not agree with your statement. I live in the US and some of my neighbors will gladly trample all over my freedoms just to feel good about themselves...
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Offcause there are people with exception it would be weird otherwise.
I'm talking about the general trend hence a general statement
Do you really think, I thought all of the US population are clones?

And how I know: Living in the states, albeit mostly just in one state.


The constant enemyification of anyone who is disagreeing with you is hurting acceptance, tolerance and understanding in the states. Right/left the Media all acting like a bunch of kids in a screaming contest, and its not good for our population.


P.S.
I'm not sure I understood you correctly here:
"and some of my neighbors will gladly trample all over my freedoms just to feel good about themselves..."
Isn't that exactly what im saying?
You neighbors all full of themselves and there rights/freedom and not showing your respect?

Please elaborate
 
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dgz said:
What's overreaching about expecting people to take just a bit of responsibility to their surroundings?
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Expecting people and forcing via law are two vastly different concepts. This is just a nanny state bullshit law. If people want to be stupid on the bicycle, let them suffer the consequences.
 
I guess the reality there are people who get paid to make up laws and regulations. It's what they do and no, they have nothing better to justfy their existence with.

The problem is that even though all these laws are created, they are not enforced.

Where I live if you get talking or texting while driving - it is commonly called "Distracted driving" and covers anything that distracts your attention away from the road, you get slapped with a $490-$1000 fine + 3 demerit points. Your license is yoinked at 15 but the Insurance companies dry-hump you for the next 5 years for even one point. Every day when I drive I will see at least 1 other person driving with a phone held up to their face or looking down at a glow coming out of their lap. Most of those people have never been caught even though they are more likely to cause an accident than a drunk.
 
Dekoth-E- said:
Expecting people and forcing via law are two vastly different concepts. This is just a nanny state bullshit law. If people want to be stupid on the bicycle, let them suffer the consequences.
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You don't seem to realize someone bumping in you with a bike could be VERY dangerous. I honestly don't get your point.
 
dgz said:
You don't seem to realize someone bumping in you with a bike could be VERY dangerous. I honestly don't get your point.
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You don't seem to understand a little thing called personal responsibility and accountability. If someone hurts someone because they are too stupid to put their phone away on a bike, there are already laws in place to deal with that. There don't need to be more laws to baby sit grown ass adults.
 
Dekoth-E- said:
You don't seem to understand a little thing called personal responsibility and accountability. If someone hurts someone because they are too stupid to put their phone away on a bike, there are already laws in place to deal with that. There don't need to be more laws to baby sit grown ass adults.
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OK. That would make total sense if you are against such laws for car/truck/etc drivers.
 
dgz said:
OK. That would make total sense if you are against such laws for car/truck/etc drivers.
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I am but nice false equivalence argument. Comparing the damage that can be done by someone on a bicycle to that of a car is pretty absurd.
 
Dekoth-E- said:
I am but nice false equivalence argument. Comparing the damage that can be done by someone on a bicycle to that of a car is pretty absurd.
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Eh, I just think discrimination is wrong. And it's not about direct damage only. All kinds of crazy outcomes are possible. What if a car driver tries to avoid the cyclist but ends up killing others? Why are you so stubborn? Just admit you were wrong.
 
dgz said:
Eh, I just think discrimination is wrong. And it's not about direct damage only. All kinds of crazy outcomes are possible. What if a car driver tries to avoid the cyclist but ends up killing others? Why are you so stubborn? Just admit you were wrong.
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I'm not wrong. It's an unnecessary bullshit law. I hope it never comes to the US, but I'm not holding my breath. We seem to be on a high speed train to stupidville.
 
Dekoth-E- said:
I'm not wrong. It's an unnecessary bullshit law. I hope it never comes to the US, but I'm not holding my breath. We seem to be on a high speed train to stupidville.
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Half of the US don't even know how to ride a bike, and the other half that do are a danger to themselves.
 
This isn't about individual rights or making regulations for the sake of it. Really guys, knock off the silliness.

This is a case where people can injure others and it's easily avoidable.

Phone + car = nope
Phone + bike = nope
 
Laowai said:
This isn't about individual rights or making regulations for the sake of it. Really guys, knock off the silliness.

This is a case where people can injure others and it's easily avoidable.

Phone + car = nope
Phone + bike = nope
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This is absolutely a case of individual rights and making regulations for the sake of it. People being distracted while riding a bike isn't a wide spread problem by any stretch of the imagination. People being assholes on bikes and not obeying traffic laws is a far bigger issue. I've never seen one person texting and riding. I've seen people act like they are completely above the law nearly daily.
 
Dekoth-E- said:
This is absolutely a case of individual rights and making regulations for the sake of it. People being distracted while riding a bike isn't a wide spread problem by any stretch of the imagination. People being assholes on bikes and not obeying traffic laws is a far bigger issue. I've never seen one person texting and riding. I've seen people act like they are completely above the law nearly daily.
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I'd imagine it's a bigger issue in the Netherlands where this law was implemented.
Furthermore, if this is the hill you're staking a flag on, it's absurd.

"I have a right to ride my bike and play Candy Crush at the same time!"
 
readeh said:
Half of the US don't even know how to ride a bike, and the other half that do are a danger to themselves.
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I laughed my ass off when a bike rider at work here got hit when running a red light. Well actually no I laughed when he sued the guy that hit him and the judge not only threw the case out but had the bailiff put the rider in jail for a few days for contempt of court. The guy was saying that bikes didnt have to stop for red lights and that any cars in the intersection should just stop for them...
 
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Laowai said:
I'd imagine it's a bigger issue in the Netherlands where this law was implemented.
Furthermore, if this is the hill you're staking a flag on, it's absurd.

"I have a right to ride my bike and play Candy Crush at the same time!"
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The hill I'm staking my flag on is being 100% opposed to nanny laws that take personal accountability away from people.
 
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