Illinois moves to ban texting while biking

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Feb. 9 (UPI) -- Illinois lawmakers are pushing legislation that would ban texting while biking, officials said.

The Illinois House Transportation Committee voted in favor of a bill that prohibits bikers from texting while in motion, the St. Louis (Mo.) Post-Dispatch reported Wednesday.

The bill, proposed by state Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago, allows bicyclists to use hands-free devices while biking and text when the bike is stopped and pulled to the side of the road.

Opposition to the legislation came from state Rep. Michael Unes, R-East Peoria, who questioned whether the ban would be difficult to enforce and stop cyclists from using other devices such as global positioning satellite systems.