Modern life is a balance. Juggling work, family and social life - everyone’s short of that precious commodity - time. Unfortunately, riding a bike isn’t always the fastest way to get from A to B, but what cycling can attest to is that it is fun, healthy and good for the planet.
These days, a popular way to get around by bike is to use a bike navigation app or tap away on Google Maps. But how do riders stand legally when doing this out on the road? For example, when your phone battery is low and you have a last-minute invitation to a friend's house, you just don’t want to pull over to let them know you can make it. Is it illegal to use a phone whilst cycling?
Phone Cycling Laws by Country
Laws for phone use whilst riding a bike vary widely from country to country. Some major nations have specific regulations about mobile phone use, while others apply more general rules about safe riding or distracted behaviour - these often lump cyclists in with all road users. Below, we break down the legal stance of several major countries.
United Kingdom
In the UK, there is no specific law that makes it illegal to use a mobile phone while cycling. However, cyclists are expected to follow the Highway Code, which states they “must not ride in a dangerous, careless or inconsiderate manner.”
If using a phone causes a cyclist to ride dangerously or without proper control, they can be prosecuted under general road traffic laws for "cycling without due care and attention" or "dangerous cycling". Fines can be issued, and in serious cases, it could result in court proceedings. A sensible idea then to add your phone to a bike phone mount, not just to avoid the full force of the law, but also to aid your overall safety whilst riding.
United States
In the U.S., cycling laws, like many laws, are determined state by state, so the legality of phone use while cycling varies.
Most states, like California, have laws which lump cyclists in with every other road user. Here’s the exact piece from the California Vehicle Code CVC 21200(a): "Every person riding a bicycle upon a highway... is subject to all the provisions applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this division.” Another good example of this lack of explicit mention is New York, where a cyclist “shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this title.”
The state of Texas is another example that should be cited, where the law states that “A person operating a bicycle may not carry any object that prevents the operator from keeping a least one hand on the handlebars.”
Canada
In Canada, distracted cycling laws also vary by province. For example, Ontario has strict distracted driving laws, which also apply to cyclists.
Over in British Columbia, laws state that, much like in the US, cyclists are bound to comply with the legislation for all road users, and that means not using a phone whilst riding. As is the case with most countries, laws state that the use of a mobile phone while safely parked and off the roadway is perfectly fine.
Australia
In Australia, lawmakers have generally taken a similar, yet more explicit stance on phone use whilst riding a bike. In Queensland, it is illegal to use a handheld mobile phone while riding a bicycle. “Holding a mobile phone in your hand or resting it on any part of your body when riding is illegal - even if you're stopped in traffic. The phone does not need to be turned on for it to be an offence.”
Helpfully, the directive continues: “You are allowed hands-free use of a mobile phone, for example, in a cradle attached to the bike. Hands-free can include accepting a call, using navigation apps or skipping a song.”
Laws in Victoria are much the same. A rider can use a phone whilst riding if “the phone is secured in a commercially designed holder fixed to the bike.”
Interestingly, laws in Western Australia are less clear. There is no mention of using a phone whilst riding a bike.
Germany
Germany has clear laws regarding cyclists and phone use. It is illegal to use a handheld mobile phone while cycling, and violators can be fined. The fine typically starts at €55, and enforcement is relatively strict. Using a phone hands-free is even discouraged by road safety groups.
France
In France, using a mobile phone while cycling is explicitly prohibited. Cyclists caught using a phone can face a fine of up to €135. This rule is part of France’s broader commitment to road safety, and enforcement can be strict, especially in urban areas. Hands-free systems are allowed, but the cyclist must remain in full control of their bicycle.
While the wording and exact legislation for using a phone while cycling vary from country to country, the common thread is that safety and control are paramount.
Even if legislation for phone use whilst riding a bike isn’t set out, more often than not, overall traffic laws apply to cyclists. In most major countries, cyclists face stiff penalties should they be caught using a phone whilst riding, without it being mounted to a bike that is.
And whilst even the best bike phone mount wouldn’t absolve riders of all their responsibilities when riding, they can make navigating by bike a whole lot safer.
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