[mmmdubs]

I was on my way to the grocery before heading home so, being a man of the 21st century, I put my bluetooth over my ear and phoned my girlfriend to see what was needed.

About the time I asked how we were on milk, a middle aged man on a very nice Specialized MTB decided that we did, in fact, need milk, so he told me to pick some up.

To put this into context, I was on a 'greenway' trail, a paved trail reserved for bicyclists and pedestrians. I frequently use this trail as a way to get to the dirt trails.
To me, it falls into the same category as a road. For this guy, it seems I was stepping on his toes by having a conversation on my cell. Which I can sympathize with but...

What's your opinion on cell phone use while riding?

[mmmdubs]

Personally, after the little encounter with a fellow rider, I won't get on my cell until I'm either back on the roads or on a more secluded section of trail.

I actually appreciate the guy letting me know he thought I was being rude, however, I do feel that the greenway is a public space, and unless someone is shouting or otherwise causing danger, talking on a cell is equivalent to talking to a person who is next to you.

[Dubgurl]

I think I feel the same way about phones on bikes as I do on phones and driving. If you have the capability, knock yourself out; if not, than pick one or the other. How do you know if you have the capability to ride a bike and talk on the phone? Simple. Do you remember what happened on your ride while you were on the phone? If not than you were probably paying too much attention to your conversation.

[Shocks_Pegs_LUCKY]

I think it's okay. As long as you can safely ride and talk at the same time. I think most people cannot do this, though. Look at how awful people drive while talking, even on a bluetooth. If you find yourself questioning if that light was really green, you cannot SAFELY do this.

[biker_on_a_budget]

I ride in rural Indiana, there's not many other bikers on the road with me. As long as you aren't having a face to face conversation with a fellow biker, I'd say it's no big deal, but that's just me.

[LarryM]

I think a cell call on a bike is just like a cell call in a car ... it's distracted driving. If no one is around, the only one likely to be hurt is yourself, go do what you want. If others are around, as on a busy MUP or on a road in traffic, your distraction is a hazard to others.

If I need to make/take a call on a bike, I'll stop. I have answered calls while driving the car, but ask the caller to wait til I can pull off the road before engaging in a conversation, even if that means calling them back in 5 or 10 mins.

[PlatyPius]

The problem is, you're on a bluetooth. I talk to people all of the time that I think are talking to me, only to have them turn their head and then I see their Borg aural implant blinking blue light at me.

Bluetooth things are a scourge on the planet and must be destroyed when they are used around other people.

[tallframe]

I look at cellphones like ipods. Dont use while riding, its just another distraction and more noise, if I want noise I have a great stereo in my car..

[photosbymark]

A phone for me is not the distraction that it is for many. I learned a long time ago to prioritize and two magic words work every time. Stand by. I learned because it was a part of the training that most don't get. I would talk briefly on the cell in the car, but not on the bike. Why?? No protection and if there is a problem, I am the one that will take the fall without the structure of any type of vehicle to provide any protection. On a bike, what ever I hit, I hit with my body and that is reason enough to leave the cell phone off.

[rawhite1969]

Why ruin the ride by talking to someone on your phone? I don't get the idea of mounting the darn thing on the handlebars either to use as a cyclo-computer. Put the darn thing away and enjoy the ride. The text/call/email can wait

As far as they guy who was bothered by your call - tell him to get his own milk.