Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Teen charged after texting while bicycling

OWEN SOUND, Ont. -- You've heard about the dangers of texting behind the wheel -- here's a case of texting behind the handlebars.

Police in Owen Sound, Ont., say a 16-year-old boy was texting on his cellphone while riding a bicycle Sunday morning.

The boy -- who wasn't wearing a helmet -- hit the rear of a parked vehicle and was ejected from his bike, striking and smashing the vehicle's rear window. Police spokesman Stephen MacKinnon said it's the first time police have seen a case of texting while biking.

"This is the first time I've heard of somebody being so enthralled in texting that they've actually lost control, and weren't watching where they're going and hit a parked car," he said.

Insp. MacKinnon said the boy was treated at hospital for some scratches and was released.

But the errant rider is being charged with careless driving.

-- The Canadian Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 27, 2010 A8

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