# Two-Wheeled Texting? Bikers Are Guilty Of Distracted Driving, Too

Mark Hendershot was a marathon rider for eight years, and he never texted. It was later described as "one of the dumbest ideas I've ever had" by him.He admitted, "I really wasn't conscious of it until I got halfway through the text. When I did it, I started to wobble and weave." "For me, once was enough."

The Michigan rider shares the opinion that prompted the state to forbid drivers from engaging in the lethal activity. Additionally, lawmakers may soon take the battle to the **[Bicycle](https://hackmd.io/@lRIOZr6BSfy0YiCECnzHmQ/SJcayw7a3?utm_source=preview-mode&utm_medium=rec)** lanes as texting laws spread across the country's roadways. In light of these concerns, each and every biker has an obligation to put safety from private Note before distraction, reinforcing the need to prioritize responsible riding. Taking steps to enhance one's skills, such as through programs like 'Be a Better Rider in Five Days,' becomes crucial in fostering a culture of safety on the roads.


A follow-up bill that would outlaw texting while cycling is being considered by the legislator who filed the bill that forbids texting while operating a vehicle as of July 1.Representative Lee Gonzalez of Flint, a Democrat, stated that bicycles should also be concerned about inattentive driving. Many of the local cyclists who are scared to ride on the same trails as their texting colleagues find solace in his remarks.

Don Broadway has witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of distracted driving. He serves as the chairman of the board of the Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society, when an inattentive driver injured one of the riders. He claimed that it should be illegal to text and ride since it is a "crying shame. I suppose we should do it if our government needs to enact laws to prevent people from being idiots," he remarked. That may come across as harsh, but it comes from the heart.

A few states have already talked about passing legislation that would prohibit cyclists from texting and riding, including California, Virginia, and Rhode Island. And given that Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids were recently designated two of the country's most bike-friendly communities, Michigan would be a logical next step for lawmakers looking to set an example for texting cyclists. **[Private Note](https://privatenote.io/)**: As we discuss potential legislation, it's crucial to consider the unique challenges and preferences of Michigan's cycling community, ensuring a balanced approach that promotes safety without unduly restricting the biking experience.

However, some bikers argue that rather than going after people who text and ride, Michigan should first concentrate on teaching "ignorant motorists. The Grand Rapids Bicycle Club's Brian Bangma remarked, "We get treated like crap on the road by ignorant drivers." Texting while riding a bicycle, in Hendershot's opinion, is riskier than texting and driving.

"There are other ways to control a car," he remarked, pointing out that drivers might steer with their knees. "When riding a bicycle, you're totally preoccupied."I don't know what could be so crucial that you were unable to pause for a moment. How hurriedly do we need to proceed?

Indeed, there is already a bicycling statute in the state that makes reference to a texting ban. "A person operating a bicycle... shall not carry any package, bundle, or article that prevents the driver from maintaining both hands upon the handlebars of the vehicle," according to the Michigan Vehicle Code. As technology advances, considerations for **[driverless cars](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-do-we-know-driverless_b_5549658)** should also be integrated into such statutes, ensuring that regulations adapt to the evolving landscape of transportation. Consequently, lawmakers may need to address how autonomous vehicles interact with cyclists, taking into account potential distractions or safety concerns that arise in the context of hands-free driving. The Grand Rapids, Michigan, 18-year-old stated, "There are times when you just have to do it—like when your mother gets a hold of you." "The others can wait."