At a red light today, I realized the guy on the motorcycle in front of me was talking on a cell phone. When the light changed, he tried holding the phone to his ear with his shoulder, then gave up and drove with one hand. I can’t recall ever seeing anyone do that before. Does this happen all the time and I’ve somehow missed it? I’m not a motorcyclist, but is this as bad an idea as it seems?
Yes.
That’s dumb, but I regularly see cyclists on the phone in Cambridge all the time. It’s not like you can’t buy a handsfree kit if you must talk while on two wheels. What’s more, I see these fools riding on major roads.
Anyway, if you’re riding a bike, I’m sure the wind makes it virtually impossible to hear. Not to mention the motorcycle noise. People are really, really stupid.
I am, and no, it’s worse. I assume the idiot in question wasn’t wearing a helmet either (which would get in the way of a regular cell phone).
Using a cell phone on a bike can be done safely with an intercom system. Speakers and a mike installed into the helmet, and hands-free dialing. Trying to use a handset on a bike is just stupid.
I’ve never seen it – but then I’ve never looked. I guess I always assumed that the sound of the motorcycle, the wind, and the fact that driving a motorcycle requires two hands precluded cell phone use. Apparently, I was wrong, and some people are much, much dumber than I thought.
How is driving with just one hand even possible? The only way would be changing gears without using the clutch, unless he was driving a scooter.
I turned onto another road, so I don’t know how long he attempted to carry on his conversation or how he attempted to change gears, unless that was what he was doing while he used his shoulder to hold the phone. I only had enough time to think “What the hell is he talking about that’s so damned important?”
As wheelie you can get handsfree built into the helmet so that noise is not an issue. Or you can get handsfree where the mic wraps around your neck and pics up sound straight from your voicebox.
So there’s no excuse. What a prat.
I was thinking the same thing. If he’s only driving with his left hand, he can’t use the front break or the throttle. If he’s only driving using his right hand, he can’t use the clutch and change gears. Seems impossible.
As an avid motorcyclist this makes me cringe and say WTF?
Potential Darwin award winner here.
I used a mobile phone on my motorcycle once. I was at a stop light when it rang. I pulled it out of my pocket and told the caller to hang on. I pulled off the road, parked in a business’s parking area, shut off the bike, removed my helmet, and had my conversation.
I have a hands-free kit for my phone, but how would I use it? It’s usually cool enough up here to wear heavy gloves that would make using the buttons difficult. And I’d have to get the phone out of my jacket, hold onto the phone while I’m talking, and safely operate the vehicle. And I’ve never had a quiet helmet. There’s always wind noise, and I don’t know if I’d be able to hear with the ear bud. If I have tom make a call right now, I’ll get off of the road and park. If someone is calling me, s/he can leave a message.
He can set off using the clutch (as the OP seems to suggest) and then change without using it.
This sounds extraordinarily dangerous to me, but if he were well practiced it might be second nature - you don’t need much strength to counter steer, after all.
My friend ends the call when the light changes.
IIRC, certain bikes have a foot clutch that you can use. Also, there are modifications so that one armed people can ride a bike. Mind you, I’d think that those mods would be more expensive than a kit for your cellphone, but never underestimate the levels of stupidity humans can aspire to.
With the exception of starting out you can shift a bike with out using the clutch. I do it sometimes. I can only upshift, but I’ve been told you can downshift as well. I’ve also heard of people who say they can even go from nutrual to first sans clutch.
As for cell phones you can get comm systems that allow hook ups for phones. I know a few guys who do this.
I don’t make calls from the bike. If I hear it ring and I am not doing something that requires two hands, I’ll answer with a “Wait until I stop.” and then drop it in my shirt pocket open and get stopped and then talk.
I ride one handed a lot. Left hand or right hand, just cruising along on an empty road does not require two hands. Some times I ride for miles without using my hands at all.
A lot depends on the bike. Don’t often wear a helmet either. ::: shrug :::: On a Honda Goldwing, hearing a phone is not a problem, they are very quiet. On my choppers, not so much. One of them has a foot rocker clutch and a hand shift. No big deal.
The thing is to be willing to do with the phone the same as with a bottle of cola, I am willing to trow it away if I need two hands to control the bike. If a person just answers anytime or is unwilling to throw it away, he should turn it off while riding.
Those who fuss about guys riding with one hand never ever drive with one hand, I’m sure… Bawahahaha
You think that’s bad? My neighbor came home about a week ago completely livid. She had followed a guy on a motorcycle for about 5 miles who was not only talking on his cell (shoulder to ear) without a helmet, but also CARYING A BABY in his other arm. And the traffic around here is not exactly light.
Around here, it actually isn’t all that rare.
I’ll see at least 1 person during my commute, riding his bike and talking on a cellphone. More often than not, the phone is cradled on the shoulder, but sometimes riders have it in their hand. Riding in traffic :eek:
I used to commute to work on a bike, and I can’t even imagine navigating through traffic one-handed, let alone one-handed while talking on the phone.
I see guys doing it all the time - they just stick it inside their helmet, leaving their hands free. You only notice it when you’re right next to them.
What kind of bike was it? If it were a sportbike, he wouldn’t necessarily have to shift. They’re capable of breaking the US expressway speed limit in first gear.