New Calif. Law Would Ban Texting While Biking; What's Next?
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — It could soon be illegal to ride a bicycle and text if a California lawmaker gets his way.
Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), who authored the 2008 California law mandating the use of hands-free technology while driving, has proposed extending that law to bicyclists.
Senate Bill 1475 would ban bicyclists from texting or talking without a headset.
Bicyclists would be fined $20 for their first offense and $50 thereafter with no additional fees.
The new bill was originally part of the 2008 driving ordinance, however the bicycle portion was omitted from the final law.
It is supported by the California Bicycle Coalition.
The bill is currently working its way through the state senate. Sen. Simitian hopes to make it law by the end of 2012.
