The smartphone ban for cycling has now come into force, so you cannot just sit on your two-wheeler with your phone in your hands. Difficult if you want to navigate somewhere or operate your phone. iPhoned gives you four solutions!
This is how you navigate the bike hands-free with your phone
Since 1 July 2019, you are no longer allowed to use an electronic device while cycling. So no iPhone either. Not always nice, because for many their phone on the bike is also their music player or route map. Fortunately, there are several ways to get to your destination safely without breaking the law.
Also interesting: 7 questions and answers about the smartphone ban on bicycles
1. ‘Hey Siri’
You can always operate your iPhone without hands by giving a voice command to Siri. Have the voice assistant read messages, start a route, or turn on a song in Apple Music. Still, it can be a bit difficult to understand Siri in the open air and from your jacket or trouser pocket. For that reason, it is advisable to use earplugs.
Especially with AirPods it is easy to use Siri. With the first generation of these earbuds you can call up the voice assistant by tapping an earpiece twice, and with the AirPods (2019) simply with ‘Hey Siri’. You can also easily receive spoken notifications of your directions via earplugs.
2. Put on a smartwatch
A smartwatch such as the Apple Watch is ideal for cycling. Thanks to vibrations, you know when you receive notifications on your iPhone. Because you also get a preview of the message, you can quickly check whether it is important. It is nice that a smartwatch is not covered by the law because it is an accessory. You can therefore use it legally if you sit on your steel steed.
The vibrations are not only useful for notifications, but are also used for navigation. Before you start cycling, start a route in Maps on your iPhone and you will then receive instructions via your watch. You will feel a tap when you have to turn somewhere and you will see the next step of the directions on your wrist. A small disadvantage is that this is currently only possible on an Apple Watch with Maps, Google Maps, for example, does not have watchOS support.
3. Mount a smartphone holder on your handlebars
If you find a smartwatch too expensive or not an option for some other reason, then there is the smartphone holder. It is allowed to secure your phone in such a holder on your bicycle for navigation, for example. You can also quickly set up the next number, but sending an app or searching for a destination, for example, is still prohibited.
It can therefore be compared to the fact that it is also tolerated to record a telephone conversation in the car if your phone is clamped in a holder. Moreover, this is a cheap solution to still use your phone for navigation.
As far as phone holders are concerned, there are different variants. For example, you have holders where you clamp your phone, but also holders where you place a sticker or suction cup on the back of your phone (case) and it can quickly and easily click in and out of a system mounted on the handlebar. To help you on your way, we have listed three different types of phone holders for your bicycle.
Budget smartphone holders
The cheapest solution if you want a phone holder on your bike are the variants where you clamp your device. For a tenner more you have a holder with a cover for your iPhone or one that can be mounted on a stem. Conveniently, all these holders are universal.
- Universal phone holder for iPhones up to 6 inches – available at bol.com for 19.04 euros
- Various universal holders from Accezz – available at Smartphonehoesjes.nl from 14.95 euros to 34.95 euros
- Azuri smartphone holder with storage space for iPhones up to 5.5 inches – available at Coolblue for 24.95 euros
Easy to assemble
Some holders require a matching cover, but with a version with a suction cup or sticker for the back of your phone you are so safe on the road.
- SP Connect Phone Holder Bundle Bike Universal – available at bol.com for 27 euros
- LifeProof LifeActiv universal phone holder – available at bol.com for 44.54 euros
Dust and waterproof containers
If you often cycle, it is advisable to choose a holder that protects your iPhone from wind and weather. This way you won’t be bothered by a flooded phone after a ride in the rain.
- Lenv waterproof bicycle holder iPhone X available at bol.com for 24.95 euros
- Lenv waterproof bicycle holder iPhone 7/8, iPhone 7/8 Plus, iPhone 6 / 6S, iPhone 6 Plus available at bol.com for 29.95 euros
- Interphone iCase holder iPhone X available at Coolblue for 64.99 euros
- Interphone iCase holder iPhone 7 available at Coolblue for 59.95 euros
- Interphone iCase holder iPhone 7 Plus available at Coolblue for 59.95 euros
4. Take your moment at traffic lights
A last resort is to simply stop to view the route. For example, quickly check which direction you need to go at a traffic light. You can often see at a glance whether you should go straight ahead or at which intersection you should turn.
The danger, however, is that you are still inclined to use your smartphone on the road. However, if you have your smartphone in your hands to check the route, there is more risk of distraction involved. In the meantime, have you received a message and the traffic light is turning green again? It can then be difficult to resist the temptation and continue cycling with your device in your pocket. If you want to view the route better or respond to a report, just get off.
Check out more helpful tips
Do you want to navigate by bike without using data, on a cycling holiday for example? Then check out what the best apps are for offline navigation. Also useful is that in iOS 13 you can share your arrival time from Maps. For example, friends can check in the evening whether you will get home safely or how long you will be on the bike to the final destination.