It's Our City is a project that uses TV, Radio and Web
to promote civic engagement in the Philadelphia region.Philly Close to Adopting a Cell Phone Ban for Bicyclists
Thursday, April 16th, 2009 at 3:55 pm - by Matt Campbell. Filed under: Transportation.
Not under Philly's cell phone ban is the Big Wheel / Image by Emily Hoyer via Flickr
(fyi: City Councilman Bill Green, a co-sponsor of the ban will be on Radio Times Tues, April 21 @ 10 a.m. to discuss the cell phone ban) added 4/20/09 1:01pm
(fyi: Mayor expected to sign bill into law) added 4/17/09 11:00am
The first thing you should know is that the Philadelphia City Council passed a bill today that would ban hand-held cell phone use in cars. The headline didn’t mention that because bans like this are being adopted globally. Around here drivers crossing into nearby New Jersey or Delaware face hand-held cell phone bans. Pennsylvania does not ban hand-held phone use, but there is a bill currently under consideration. (fyi: if PA adopts this ban, it would likely make a local ban null and void)
What is striking - is that this bill extends the ban to bicycle riders, in-line skaters, and anyone riding push-scooters or skateboards. A similar bill introduced two years ago in the New Jersey State Legislature was ridiculed so much that its sponsor withdrew it.
I do think driving and gabbing is bad idea, but how did we make the leap to Nokia-powered stray-bullet bicyclists? As for skateboarders, I’ve never even seen a skateboarder talking on a phone. Have you? If you did, did they swerve into your lane? If you really want to be a radical, I dare you to skate board in Love Park gabbing on your Motorola.
If Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter signs the bill, it would ban hand held cell phone use which would mean no texting, web browsing or emailing while driving or riding on a city street. You will be allowed to use a hands free system or Bluetooth earpiece. If you are caught violating the law, police can issue a fine between $150-$300.
The language of the bill makes a few of the following arguments for why Philadelphia needs to such an expansive ban.
Drivers operating motor vehicles while using a mobile phone are
as impaired as drivers with a 0.08 percent blood alcohol level-the level that
defines drunk driving in most statesThe act of dialing a mobile phone is the most dangerous part of
making a mobile phone call while operating a motor vehicleToday, Americans send and receive more text messages per month
than phone calls
All of these seem like valid arguments for drivers. But are these reasons to ban hand held cell phone use for skateboarders or bicyclists? We’d like to know what you think. Should Mayor Michael Nutter sign this ban into law? Should he veto it? Should he say he would support a more limited ban that just includes cars?
Related links:
Image credit: Emily Hoyer via Flickr
April 17th, 2009 at 8:07 am
Just having a law will keep some unnecessary phone calls from happening, which makes everyone safer. As far as bikes and even pedestrians, the same distraction occurs as with drivers, but there’s no 3000 pound projectile involved. However it could be said that this law would protect people from themselves, as bikers and walkers are more likely to miss something and get themselves into a dangerous situation if they are on the phone. How many times have you seen someone step off a curb when traffic is coming, because they’re not paying full attention - the phone call is more important.
By the way, for drivers who need a good solution, check out EasyHandsFree.com which is a company that installs hands-free phone systems in vehicles. These allow drivers to be safer and legal, and are great for people who rely on their phone and their car. EasyHandsFree…
April 17th, 2009 at 11:13 am
Things not covered under the ban. Riding a bike age 12 and older without a helmet and riding a bike hands free. (remember how cool we were on our 10-speeds), Wait, it’s also not against the law to jump using a wood ramp Evil Knievel style and smack your unprotected head into the pavement. But the good news is once you’re on the ground you can use your cell phone to call for help.
April 17th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Will the cell phone ban use also extend to:
1. Truckers using CB radios while driving?
2. Taxicab drivers using their onboard computer GPS systems for accepting trips and typing mails to their dispatch companies.
Truckers and taxicabs are major source of driving accidents in the city of brotherly love!
April 20th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
@David. The Philadelphia cell phone ban bill does not cover CB radios or fiddling with the GPS units. Truck drivers and cabbies can continue to gab on the phone using bluetooth earphones.