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Netherlands Proposes Legislation To Ban Use Of Phones On Bicycles (npr.org)

Posted by msmash on from the common-sense dept.

The Dutch government is considering a proposal to ban the use of smartphones and other "mobile electronic devices" on bicycles. From a report: Infrastructure Minister Cora van Nieuwenhuizen published the draft legislation on Thursday, NL Times reports. If approved, it could go into effect in the summer of 2019. It is already illegal to use a phone while driving a motor vehicle in the Netherlands, the news site says. Offenders face a fine of more than $250. Biking is a widespread form of transportation in the Netherlands, and extending the telephone ban to bikes has been discussed for several years. In 2015, then-Infrastructure Minister Melanie Schultz van Haegen concluded that it would be impossible to enforce a ban on phone use on bikes, according to a 2016 story from Dutch News. But the following year, the government began reconsidering its position.

17 of 143 comments (clear)

  1. That's going to really tick off people by Crashmarik · · Score: 3, Insightful

    That use them for GPS/Speedometer/Odometer or the control system for any kind of E-Bike.

    1. Re:That's going to really tick off people by drinkypoo · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Are you allowed to use them in a cradle in the car there like you are here in California, so long as you aren't texting or doing more than the occasional touch? If so, perhaps you'll be able to use them on a cycle on the same basis.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    2. Re:That's going to really tick off people by Brama · · Score: 5, Insightful

      That really is not a bad thing. You might want to hear what's going on around you if you are on a bike.

    3. Re: That's going to really tick off people by tsa · · Score: 2

      Yes. An amazing amount of people do that here.

      --

      -- Cheers!

    4. Re: That's going to really tick off people by Hognoxious · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I don't think it needs a doctor to tell you that you're using the type that go over your ears (as opposed to in them) or you've got the sound up too high.

      --
      Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
    5. Re:That's going to really tick off people by Niels · · Score: 2

      You can use your phone for listening to music, as a speedometer or even for calling as long as you are not holding it in your hand. That is already the case for cars and from 2019 for any vehicle. Which is a good thing. Besides the distraction of looking at other things than the traffic around you, you probably need both hands in case of an unexpected situation (using one hand to steer will cost you half of your break capacity for example).

      Background information: I am Dutch.

    6. Re:That's going to really tick off people by JaredOfEuropa · · Score: 2, Informative

      You are allowed to use them if they are in a cradle, as is the case when driving a car. Mind, a copper can still do you for 'dangerous conduct' (Art. 5 WVW 1994) if he notices you spend an awful long time looking at the cell phone clipped to the dash instead of watching the road. I wonder if they will apply that law to bike riders as well.

      --
      If construction was anything like programming, an incorrectly fitted lock would bring down the entire building...
    7. Re: That's going to really tick off people by wonkey_monkey · · Score: 3, Funny

      Should've got off your bike before typing that.

      --
      systemd is Roko's Basilisk.
  2. Talking While Moving by mentil · · Score: 5, Funny

    Next thing you know, Netherlands will ban talking on a phone while moving. Perhaps a technical solution can be found, like tethering phones to walls in houses; for convenience, small kiosks (with walls for privacy) can be put in various public places so you can use a phone when not at home. It'll be the next big thing!

    --
    Corruption is convincing someone that the selfless ideal is the same as their selfish ideal.
  3. Re:Why not ban bicycles by balsy2001 · · Score: 2

    I ride a lot. I find that many drivers dont understand the actual traffic laws as they pertain to bikes on the road. Granted there are differences between jurisdictions.

    --
    GENERATION 27: The first time you see this, copy it into your sig on any forum and add 1 to the generation.
  4. Already the case elsewhere? by Corbets · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I’m pretty sure it’s already illegal to talk on your phone while bicycling in Switzerland. Laws that apply to motorists apply to bicyclists, and you can lose your drivers license for actions on a bicycle, so I would expect that phone use - illegal in a car - is also illegal on a bike.

  5. Just not allowed in hand by Njovich · · Score: 4, Informative

    The proposed ban only bans holding electronics in your hand while riding your bike. You can still use a headset, odometer, GPS, etc, just not in your hand while riding. You are allowed to use them when standing still. The same is already true for cars.

    There are lots of kids texting while riding their bike on the public road, leading to an increase in accidents. Things like this are a common occurrence:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

  6. Who are they kidding? by Xenna · · Score: 2

    In the Netherlands, people on bikes drive on the sidewalk (not allowed), fail to indicate direction change (not allowed), drive without lights after sundown (not allowed), drive intoxicated (not allowed) and drive on the wrong side of the road regularly (not allowed).

    Neither of these common offenses is ever punished. The phone ban won't be either.

    Only car drivers are ever punished and then only for offenses that can be easily policed with cameras.

    1. Re:Who are they kidding? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      Well, as a student I did get a hefty fine (~€200) for not having lights on before it was officially daytime. I never got a speeding ticket for my car that was that high, the closest I got was a parking ticket (€180). I never got a parking ticket on bicycle, though I did get it 'towed' and had to fetch it with the police later and got off with a warning. I also got stopped by the police for crossing a light in red on bicycle, though I argued my way out of that because that officer was regulating traffic further down the road and couldn't actually see the traffic light from the side I crossed. Taking the fine, I was in the queue with another 10+ cyclists that morning. I am also proud that I got flashed by an automated speed camera, though I never saw the fine :-). I also know of a student that spent the night in a police cell sobering up, charged with drunk driving (on a bicycle) and attempt to escape the police (drunk on the bicycle). He got off easy.

      Now, I never get any fines, I walk (and moved to a country were jaywalking is permitted). In short, if you take the bicycle as much as you would take the car, you may actually end up with the same number of fines.

      By the way, I think they should also outlaw walking whilst using phones so I don't have to dodge people on the sidewalk all the time.

  7. Re:Why not ban bicycles by thegarbz · · Score: 2

    They do legally as a base case in the Netherlands. If you hit a cyclist the car is automatically at fault. You'll need to go through the courts to prove otherwise. If the cyclist / pedestrian is under 14 you can't prove otherwise, you're just at fault.

  8. Re: Nope by c6gunner · · Score: 2

    I suppose that technically makes it illegal for people with pacemakers to ride a bike.

  9. Re:Nannyland? by MrMr · · Score: 2

    Coastal defence in The Netherlands is regulated by law. It is maintained at mean sealevel+36ft, whatever the rise. We're also nannies about getting shit done.