Yes, I Know Biking And Blackberrying Don't Mix
from the i-can-take-care-of-myself-thanks dept
We've been told that driving while on a cell phone is bad, so is blackberrying while biking worse? Given how legislators are finding it necessary to pass laws forbidding cell phone use while driving, perhaps it's only a matter of time before we start seeing anti-berrying-while-biking laws as well. But, what's wrong with just leaving it to common sense? Back in the 80s, I remember reading about the Winnebiko, a recumbent bike fitted to the gills with electronics, in Popular Science. The Winnebiko was fitted with a chord keyboard on its handlebars, so its driver could type out magazine articles while he biked across the country. He seemed to be able to do that quite safely, so thank goodness nobody tried to tell him that it was unsafe. Let's leave some safety decisions in our own hands, please. I have faith that our my self preservation instincts will stop me from riding a bike while juggling chainsaws, so there's really no need to pass a law telling me that.![Hide This Hide this](https://ii.techdirt.com/s/t/i/topclose.png)
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Filed Under: cellphones, safety
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I used to live in the Netherlands...
The thing is, bikes don't go terribly fast, although a friend of mine is still recovering from being clocked by one at speed two months ago....
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Re: I used to live in the Netherlands...
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Evolution at work: Let us eat Blackberries!
'Course, it is much worse than that- we are quickly returning to a relative infancy, where everything but diapering is not in our parents hands, or our hands, but in the government. Then the government will (ostensibly) realize its pampered employees find diaper changing beneath them, and will convince us dirty diapers are good for the soul.
America, we get what we deserve, and when this "en loco parentis" locomotive gets going, we are going to be paying extra for health insurance if we do not submit regular stool samples.
Personally I am boggled it has gotten this crazy- teachers saying "We havent got money for copy paper" so naive students pass this psycho-bullshit to the parents (the "Holders of the Wallet) but in days same teachers will go on strike for an extra five days off a year paid. (oh, I have THOUSANDS more examples like this- it makes me gag.)
As for my humble self, I am off to Mexico and points south... I grew up and left home to fight in the Marines at 17, and I am just chock full of feelgood phrases and feigned concerns for my safety. Oh, should I mention how useless the Government is in health care? No... you need your sleep, and I dont want the reality of what confronts us all you to hinder life goals and sleep.
If you want to keep me safe, my beloved country, STOP PRETENDING YOU ARE THE SOLUTION WHEN YOU ARE THE PRIMARY PROBLEM CAUSING AMERICANS HARM by pretending parental capabilities when you are DESIGNED to get NOTHING done, so you do not destroy the country. (Jefferson, Madison, helped design the US government to be incapable, and it worked for a very long time)
For all us civilians: GROW UP and Start Mouthing Off- when the "parent" starts to get in your face KEEP PUTTING IT IN ITS PLACE. Or just start saving your pee.
Semper Fi.
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duh
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Re: duh
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I have friends who ride home drunk all the time, If they are too drunk then they can't ride anyway and the fact that they are drunk makes it quite difficult for them to pedal and balance enough to get up to any kind of dangerous speeds.
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Talking while performing activities
I want to make clear to absolutely everyone how stupid and utterly useless this law really is.
Talking while driving is distracting. Studies have proven (It's also basic logic) that holding a conversation while performing any activity is distracting. The level of distraction is THE SAME if you're talking on the phone or if the person is right next to you.
The law here states that it is LEGAL to drive while talking on a HANDS FREE phone but ILLEGAL to drive while talking holding a PHONE in your hand. This is where the SUPITIDY of the law comes in. Both activities are equally dangerous / safe.
Once again, we have to look at the argument of how useful something is compared with how many lives will be saved. The safest thing would be to ban cars, that would save the most lives. Except cars are way too useful to abolish. Cell phone usage (and talking) is the same. It is extremely useful to be able to talk while driving (be it to passanger or on the phone).
The real truth is that the goverment always needs to find ways to increase their budget. Fining driving is a great source of money. Any law that they think of that might "seem" sensible that will generate the government money and create work for the policeforce will be accepted.
The result?
People will just continue to talk on the phone while driving either illegaly, with hands free kits, or to the passengers in the car. Some people will be fined, the police/government will make more money and some people will end up in jail and without licesses for repeat offenses. A questionable and small number of accidents might be avoided.
SENSIBLE LAWS PLEASE!
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Actually...
Get on the sidewalk (if possible) or onto the grass/off the road
Talk
Hang up
Continue riding.
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The problem is...
In all fairness, I've also heard of people in accidents that have been distracted by other means (children, radio, reading, intercourse, etc.)
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Re: Re: I used to live in the Netherlands...
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Re: Re: duh
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Re:
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Re: Re: Re: I used to live in the Netherlands...
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We need these laws...
-We need to protect the children.
-If we don't have these laws, then the terrorists have won.
-If we don't have these laws, then the drug problem will spread to middle america.
-Mission accomplished!
-[Insert government catch-phrase here]
And, yes this is sarcasm designed to distract people. While we argue over what the phrase "the terrorists win" has to do with bicyling with Blackberrys, lawmakers are busy working on another "don't-do-this-while-doing-this" law.
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Living in a bike-loving area...
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