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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.

7 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 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. 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.

  4. 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?...