What the..... vent....

[sbell111]

Solely based on the OP, I don't see this as a big deal.

 

[FireDancer]

I think there are two completely separate issues here. First, should anyone be operating a vehicle while on a cell phone. I say no. I cycle a lot and if I have to use the phone I pull over and get off the bike. This is especially true if I am in a place with traffic.

Which leads to point 2, where should bikes be ridden. Again, I cycle a lot (more so now that I am training for a triathlon) and the street is the only place to be. Not only does the law have provisions for how cyclists should operate their bikes on a street but also how cars should interact when they come upon a cyclist.

I biked a lot as a kid as well and unless we were in a park with a designated bike path (or all purpose in our Metroparks which includes bikes) we always rode in the street. Where we lived the streets were maintained a lot better than the sidewalks anyway. Just about every slab was at a different size than the ones adjacent to it.

As far as how the kids look, you can't tell age by how they look. I always looked younger than I was, and still do. I'm 31 and on more than one occasion have been given the studen price at movie theaters without even asking, the person just assumes I am under 18 and gives me the ticket (I do correct them though so I don't feel dishonest). When I was living in FL I used to Rollerblade between the two offices I work in (again, in the street) and a police officer stopped me once because I looked like I should be in school. I was 26 at the time.

In the end if we all mind our own business and not nanny people we have no responsibility for the world will run a bit more smoothly.

 

[sbell111]

i think there are two completely separate issues here. First, should anyone be operating a vehicle while on a cell phone. I say no. I cycle a lot and if i have to use the phone i pull over and get off the bike. This is especially true if i am in a place with traffic.

Which leads to point 2, where should bikes be ridden. Again, i cycle a lot (more so now that i am training for a triathlon) and the street is the only place to be. Not only does the law have provisions for how cyclists should operate their bikes on a street but also how cars should interact when they come upon a cyclist.

I biked a lot as a kid as well and unless we were in a park with a designated bike path (or all purpose in our metroparks which includes bikes) we always rode in the street. Where we lived the streets were maintained a lot better than the sidewalks anyway. Just about every slab was at a different size than the ones adjacent to it.

As far as how the kids look, you can't tell age by how they look. I always looked younger than i was, and still do. I'm 31 and on more than one occasion have been given the studen price at movie theaters without even asking, the person just assumes i am under 18 and gives me the ticket (i do correct them though so i don't feel dishonest). When i was living in fl i used to rollerblade between the two offices i work in (again, in the street) and a police officer stopped me once because i looked like i should be in school. I was 26 at the time.

In the end if we all mind our own business and not nanny people we have no responsibility for the world will run a bit more smoothly.

+1

 

[Debbie7452]

Bikes in the street or sidewalk...ok, it might depend on the circumstances...but in the dark, unsupervised, and jabbering on cell phones? that's just asking for trouble and some smooshed kiddos.

As far as cell phones go...I'd like to announce that MY SON, who's 11 and in
6th grade is the LAST remaining kid on Earth without a cell phone!!

At least that's what I've been led to believe...

 

[traviesojmt]

Bikes in the street or sidewalk...ok, it might depend on the circumstances...but in the dark, unsupervised, and jabbering on cell phones? that's just asking for trouble and some smooshed kiddos.

As far as cell phones go...I'd like to announce that MY SON, who's 11 and in
6th grade is the LAST remaining kid on Earth without a cell phone!!

At least that's what I've been led to believe...

You may now tell your son that you "spoke" with a lady today who has a 12 years old son in 7th grade who also does not have a cell phone. Next year, he will be a 13 year old 8th grader who still does not have cell phone.

 

[daisyduck123]

As far as cell phones go...I'd like to announce that MY SON, who's 11 and in
6th grade is the LAST remaining kid on Earth without a cell phone!!

At least that's what I've been led to believe...

Please tell your DS that there's a DS11 in my house (6th grade as well) that DOES NOT have a cell phone either.

 

[dakcp2001]

I think if you all saw what I saw where I saw it, you would have been just as shocked and horrified. I guess you had to be there. I do not need to know exact ages to know these were small young children and they were in immediate danger. I wouldnt suggest an adult ride on this street. These were def elementary school kids. This is not a little side street, it is a windy main route full of traffic going 55 mph. It is not safe to ride your bike there. I promise! These kids wouldnt have even seen a car coming up behind them. They were not paying attention at all.

I promise, my venting and rant was purely based on fearing for these children,this was NOT safe!!!!

 

[Chicago526]

I live in the 'burbs, and around here kids under about age 12 (give or take) tend to stick to the sidewalks and only older kids and adults ride in the streets. I think technically the law says no bikes on the side walk, but I've NEVER heard of the cops giving little kids or their parents a hard time about it. It's just safer for the little ones to be on the side walks. Then again, we don't have many pedestrians in the 'burbs, everyone drives everywhere.

Now, CELL PHONES while riding at any age is just nuts. 8 year olds having cell phones is nuts (I"m sure there are a few parents with real and legitimate reasons to give their 8 year old a phone, but generally it's just not needed at that age). 8 year old kids riding in the street after dark talking on cell phones is just beyond belief!

 

[jenlynn0808]

I'm in WA, and around here we actually have bike lanes on the road with the cars. The lanes are all marked and painted on the roads (they are even in my sub).

 

[mjkacmom]

I live in the 'burbs, and around here kids under about age 12 (give or take) tend to stick to the sidewalks and only older kids and adults ride in the streets. I think technically the law says no bikes on the side walk, but I've NEVER heard of the cops giving little kids or their parents a hard time about it. It's just safer for the little ones to be on the side walks. Then again, we don't have many pedestrians in the 'burbs, everyone drives everywhere.

Now, CELL PHONES while riding at any age is just nuts. 8 year olds having cell phones is nuts (I"m sure there are a few parents with real and legitimate reasons to give their 8 year old a phone, but generally it's just not needed at that age). 8 year old kids riding in the street after dark talking on cell phones is just beyond belief!

"Burbs here, and my kids have been riding in the street (with the traffic) starting around age 10 or so. They bike all over town! I can't imagine a 10 year old riding on the sidewalk.