Ann.Occupanther

I'm making a mini flyer to distribute at my university's campus as well as the lbs to promote safer cycling habits in my town. Thought you guys could help me fact check it and tell me if I missed anything important. I'm also happy to share the print quality file when it's done if anyone wants to print some for their own use. It's Texas specific right now, but I can make alterations if needed.

kickstart

Is riding on the sidewalk prohibited where the flyers will be distributed?

Ann.Occupanther

It's not specifically outlawed in my town that I can find, but the highest speed limit here is 30mph. There's no good reason to ride on the sidewalk. If one doesn't feel comfortable riding on the busier streets (there's only two), they can just go one street over and it's much calmer.

I-Like-To-Bike

Tone down some of the declarative statements, implying that YOUR preference/opinions are necessary in all cycling situations or the law.

The first paragraph should emphasize the precautions to take if riding on sidewalks rather than just declare don't do it. Do not use the derisive term "salmoning"; it may be understood/used by cycling enthusiasts but is unlikely to enlighten or amuse cyclists less familiar with cycling lingo.

The center of the lane is NOT necessarily the only correct position at all intersections. Reword the statement.

Omit the instructions on using hand signals for stopping. It's intent is unlikely to be recognized/understood as a signal by most motorists, as well as being unwieldy when using hand brakes or preparing for a turn.

Giving "warnings" when passing pedestrians and other cyclists depends on the situation and is not necessary or desirable in many situations with sufficient clearance. It often prompts unexpected results (pedestrian jumps left when warned by a shout of "on your left"). Giving sufficient clearance or slowing down if sufficient clearance is not possible when passing pedestrians is often a safer and smarter technique.

Tone down the rhetoric on use lights paragraph. Cyclists are NOT invisible and reflectors are NOT ineffective.

Ann.Occupanther

Thanks for the feedback! I'll make some changes and repost.

kickstart

Since riding on sidewalks is legal, it would probably be better to say "avoid sidewalks", rather than "don't ride on sidewalks". For inexperienced riders of limited ability, it may be the best option for some conditions that they may encounter off campus.

B. Carfree

How do cyclists get injured and killed? The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition says the number one cause is dooring. You might want to include the advice to not ride in the door zone and to assume any car door may open without warning. Not many car doors will open as one rides by, but some will.

It's not just at intersections that cyclists need to take the center of the lane to stay safe. If the lane isn't wide enough for a motorist to safely pass while staying completely in the lane, then it is best for a cyclist to ride in the center of that lane to discourage unsafe passes.

Those two things are what have caused far too many of the injuries and deaths to cyclists that I am aware of. They are far more important than complete stops at stop signs, IMO.

lostarchitect 

Personally I wouldn't bother with notes about things being illegal--people don't care about that. I'd tell people why they should or shouldn't do something--if something is unsafe, don't just say that, say why.

Ann.Occupanther

Thanks guys! I've got some reworking to do.

yugyug

I don't think you should advise cyclists at all to not use the sidewalk, if that is legal. Its common elsewhere the world and footpaths can be great places to ride in the right conditions. Yes bicycles are bigger and faster than pedestrians but thats also true of cars on roads where cyclists ride and we don't restrict cars to car only freeways or highways. At most you should include a conditional clause like "if you choose to ride on the sidewalk, yield to pedestrians etc"