Riding with mobile phones

[nickf]

Both phones call my emergency contact if they detect a crash. The one on the handlebar has tried to call them once when I dropped off a big ledge, but as it was visible. I stopped the call.

I'm interested in this functionality as I mostly ride alone and often in remote areas. Several times I've clipped something (rock or branch) on very narrow "balcony" singletracks running along the side of a very steep ridge and been thrown down the drop, generally ending upside down and tangled in the bike amongst the down-slope tree branches that saved a further fall.

I always carry my phone with me and generally in my small backpack (to avoid damage in the event of incidents like this). But as a friend pointed out to me, if I had seriously injured myself or was simply unable to extract myself from the trees I wouldn't be able to access the phone in my pack. Carrying it in a shorts pocket would make it more accessible but more exposed to crash damage.

I looked into Garmin watches where some models have this kind of "crash detection" feature, but the feedback seems to be that they aren't too reliable - often giving false positives or not reacting to a genuine crash.

Is your crash detection function an App on your phone, or a feature of the phone itself? iPhone or Android? Is it reliable "enough" and would you recommend it? Thx.

 

[JoeBlow]

But you could say that about pretty much anything or any situation. The odds of injuring myself with my phone (especially my balls which are not really close to my phone), are pretty slim compared to the million other ways I could (and have) injure myself on a bike. Safety is all about playing the odds, if I try to eliminate all the risk from biking I might as well just sit at home or go for an XC ride in full armour rather than just a pair of riding trousers, knee pads and a t shirt.
Should I remove all the pins from my pedals because (not recently) I have had hundreds of shinners over the years? What about wearing a back protector on every ride regardless of the chances of coming off and breaking it (because it could happen on a Sunday pootle with the kids)? Or maybe not riding off road at all and just sticking to quiet tarmac cycle paths.

I know people who’ve injured themselves riding across the carpark to the trail, and other people that have cased 40 foot step downs and walked away with nothing but a few mild bruises.

I don't disagree with you but like I said once you either experience or witness the consequences it's hard to ignore it. It will always be a balance between risk and convenience but I see no harm in mitigating against a risk, perceived or otherwise, if it is easy to do so and at very little cost. I see this as one of those low risk, high consequence possibilities but easily and cheaply mitigated situations so I avoid carrying my phone in my pocket. The same goes for keys. Then there is of course the fact that I do not wish to damage my expensive phone.

What I'm really trying to say without being offensive is that the excuse that you have never experienced something is rather naive and not a good argument. Loads of people have never had an accident until they do. By all means weigh the risks and act accordingly. If people did not report head injuries we might all be riding about without helmets.

 

[Astro66]

Is your crash detection function an App on your phone, or a feature of the phone itself? iPhone or Android? Is it reliable "enough" and would you recommend it? Thx.

It's a function of the phone. It's a Pixel 8. It is reliable. But it sometimes triggers well after the crash. Like up to 30 mins later. It has triggered falsely, but it comes up on my watch that it is going to make the emergency call, so I stop it. It you don't react to the warning. It calls your emergency number.

 

[Polar]

I got "crash detection" on my iPhone and iWatch, two times it was activated within a minute after the crash, first it start to make a loud sound then after ~1 minute send a message to the person I have chosen then the emergency central.
IPhone also do this in the car.
You can choose if you want it activated or not on the phone.
I find it very useful to have especially since I got knocked out.
It also got "fall detection" very useful for us elderly people.

 

[JoeBlow]

I got "crash detection" on my iPhone and iWatch, two times it was activated within a minute after the crash, first it start to make a loud sound then after ~1 minute send a message to the person I have chosen then the emergency central.
IPhone also do this in the car.
You can choose if you want it activated on the phone.
I find it very useful to have especially since I got knocked out.

Does it indicate exactly where you are? Is it dependent on a phone signal? Does it notify your contact with a grid reference or a what3words location? Is it a subscription service?

I cycle mostly on my own and tend to avoid quiet trails as I am concious that I could lay there a long time before discovery. I own an iPhone 15 but there is virtually no signal where I cycle the most at FOD.

 

[Astro66]

Does it indicate exactly where you are? Is it dependent on a phone signal? Does it notify your contact with a grid reference or a what3words location? Is it a subscription service?

I cycle mostly on my own and tend to avoid quiet trails as I am concious that I could lay there a long time before discovery. I own an iPhone 15 but there is virtually no signal where I cycle the most at FOD.

The newer Iphones in Australia can use Starlink to send an emergency message. It comes standard with a standard phone plan. But it won't work under dense cover.

 

[nickf]

Does it notify your contact with a grid reference or a what3words location? Is it a subscription service?

I own an iPhone 15 but there is virtually no signal where I cycle the most at FOD.

It's clearly more problematic if you crash in an area without mobile phone coverage. I looked into alternatives for this situation and I think the Garmin inReach mini is the most cost-effective option. Garmin inReach mini

Unfortunately it doesn't detect a fall/crash, so you have to be able to press the "emergency" button on the device. This sends an automatic message with your GPS position to a centralised Garmin rescue coordination centre who will attempt to communicate with you and/or contact the local rescue services to come to your aid. No good if you're unconscious, but as long a you can press the big red button the rescue process kicks off. Garmin rescue service

Pros: it's a satellite communicator so works when no phone coverage, you can also send and receive texts, and it can track your position

Cons: it requires an annual subscription, but Garmin have recently woken up to the fact that there's a potential market of users who only occasionally need such a device, so they now have a subscription option that you can turn on/off per month so you only pay when you want to use it.

 

[Polar]

Does it indicate exactly where you are? Is it dependent on a phone signal? Does it notify your contact with a grid reference or a what3words location? Is it a subscription service?

I cycle mostly on my own and tend to avoid quiet trails as I am concious that I could lay there a long time before discovery. I own an iPhone 15 but there is virtually no signal where I cycle the most at FOD.

Yes it gives correct coordinator just like any other GPS tracking systems.
You can also choose to automatically send a sms to a friend/familymember with the coordinates and a short message. Emergency sms tells the operator that you need help and coordinators.
You must have the iPhone with you or iWatch with simcard.
In some countries you can be connected to Starlink if you don't have GPS signal.

I wouldn't be surprised if Avinox soon comes with a similar system.

 

[nickf]

I wouldn't be surprised if Avinox soon comes with a similar system.

That would be more useful than 2000W in their next upgrade!

 

[Just gan]

I sometimes take a PLB and sometimes I don't. Yes the places some of us go alone who knows when someone would find you.

 

[nickf]

I sometimes take a PLB and sometimes I don't. Yes the places some of us go alone who knows when someone would find you.

Sorry if I'm dim, but .... PLB ?

 

[Jackware]

Sorry if I'm dim, but .... PLB ?

Pink Life Belt;

Worn uninflated during normal riding but can be inflated in an emergency with co2 or a pump to ensure floation and high visibility.

 

[DirkWisely]

Sorry if I'm dim, but .... PLB ?

Personal Locator Beacon.

 

[Just gan]

Sorry if I'm dim, but .... PLB ?

Personal location Beacon. I got it for Sea Kayaking but ideal for hillwalking or biking.