No cell phone use while biking

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Today, the cell phone ban while driving comes into force. Cycling Advocates' Network (CAN) congratulates the government for this road safety initiative.

CAN has long been asking for such a ban. "We have made submissions to Government for years on this topic, as it's such a no-brainer. If you want to get the road toll down, then this is one of the really simple initiatives", says CAN technical adviser Andrew Macbeth. Our policy on the matter can be found on our website.

CAN co-chair Axel Wilke points out that the changes to the road rules also include cyclists. The Road User Amendment Rule talks about 'drivers of vehicles' in relation to cell phones, and the relevant definitions include cyclists and bicycles. "As long as your cell phone has a speaker phone facility, it's very easy to build your own hands-free set, as in our example", Mr Wilke says (see photo at http://can.org.nz/media/2009/no-cell-phone-use-while-biking).

ENDS

See http://can.org.nz/canpolicy/cell-phone-use-in-vehicles for the CAN policy on cell phone use in vehicles.

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