Biking and cell phones?

I started riding my bike again about a month ago after a 3 year hiatus. I ride on a wonderful hike/bike trail. Last week I nearly ran off the trail and landed in the creek because I was avoiding  a woman who was talking on her cell phone while riding on a bike. She wasn't using a "hands free" phone either. She was holding the phone between her ear and shoulder. Of course she never even noticed me. She just Kept on riding.

Well, I thought it was a strange "one time" thing, but now, I've seen a couple more bikers on their cell phones while riding.

Is this a common occurence for any of you?

I have never seen anyone talking on a cell phone while riding a bike.  I did ride one day with guy that was wearing a bluetooth earpiece which I thought was a little odd.  I always carry my cell on the bike but I never use it while riding.  I actually considered the bluetooth option because it is annoying to have to stop and return messages which I do often but I decided the earpiece would get all sweaty and nasty and I'm not sure I'd really be able to converse over the wind noise so I have never tried it.

I've seen it too...i think it's funny...about as funny as a motorcyclist on a cell phone with no handsfree set.

I've done it, but only on my slow, heavy cruiser on a mostly abandoned street.  I would never answer it while riding in a crowded area or at a higher speed.

My boyfriend will sometimes answer his phone in heavy traffic while riding his brakeless fixed gear. He's crazy!

Oh my!!  When I see people coming at me that I know aren't paying attention I angrily yell things at them, like Get off the phone!  Watch out!!, to get their attention -- they are usually not amused.  I also yell at people who havent bothered to train their dogs *not* to attack everything that comes near them or let their kids run around all over the trail -- dont they know bikes may not stop in time?  Gees!

/rant off

Its a good rule of thumb to *always* announce yourself when you come up from behind people, too.  Just sayin. 

I'm laughing too hard. I can't tell you how many dogs and children I've almost run down (including my own daughter.) I always announce myself by saying "passing on your left or right" but they always go in the direction that I am trying to pass them on. I was going to post this question, but now that you have brought it up...what is proper aproachment/passing etiquette?

trhawley: I carry my cell phone too, but I'm with you. I think the bluetooth would get kinda groady.

I used to live in China and, like everyone else, got around by bike...everyone was on their cell phone, including me...and i'm embarassed to say it but I regularly smoked cigarettes while riding my bike...and even rode drunk on occassion.

Haha, alisonm!  Me too.  I think that "passing on the left/right" is really the only thing you can do and just hope for the best. 

Otherwise, always have your wits about you!  The park's a dangerous place.

So this has nothing to do with the bike thing, but OMG alison! I laughed when you used the term "groady" because I've only ever heard my mom use that, but when I saw you're in Texas it totally made sense!

Hey Kelli_m_w
I guess my "Texan" was kick'n in. I'm glad I'm not the only mom that talks funny. ;-)

I have used my phone while riding. The wind noise makes it hard to hear.