Advocacy & Safety - Letter to the Editor.. but more

Perhaps if someone has some relation to the newspaper printing industry would be able to respond best.

Most cities (or small groups of cities) have a local newspaper.
Most cities (o s g o c) have daily cyclists.
Most drivers do not know the rules of the road pertaining to cycling, such as where they should be riding, often demanding that the cyclist use the sidewalk, even if it's clearly labeled that they aren't allowed to.

What would it take to have a "RULES OF THE ROAD" printed and included prominently in a newspaper? I don't mean a pamphlet thrown in with the coupons and department store ads, I mean something that if someone wants to read the paper, they'll see it. Perhaps even an eye-catching thing below-the-fold on the front page.

Aside from that, what would it take to have the state DMV's to include some form of cyclist laws on the written test for drivers? Many of us have been needlessly harassed, hit, cut off, doored, etc. because of drivers that are just plain negligent to the fact that we are allowed to be on the road. We pay our state taxes and use a footprint 1/32 the size of a motor vehicle and also about 1/16 the weight. The damage and stress that we put on the roads is negligable compared to the hulkning automobiles driving on roads built 20 years ago intended for daily use by much smaller vehicles.

Why is it that the only people that know the cycling laws are avid cyclists? Parents don't teach their kids the laws because they don't know them themselves. Schools don't teach kids the laws because they expect parents to do it.

Just the other day, my girlfriend was driving while on her cell phone talking to me and started complaining about a cyclist being in the road and that she had to slow down on her way to class while he passed a line of parked cars. She even went so far as to say that she should (although she would never) just hit him and drive on because he shouldn't be allowed in the road. When I tried to explain the laws and that it's attitudes like hers that put people like me in danger, she said she wanted to see the laws because she didn't believe it. I sent her the laws and she still said that they should have to be doing the speed limit if they want to be on the road. Then I explained that Speed Limit doesn't mean "Speed Minimum" as most drivers seem to think and that very few cyclists can go 25mph uphill.

I didn't want to start a major argument about it, so I let it drop. I know she wouldn't do anything about her frustration to cyclists that are "in the way" but others do.

What would it take to get the information out to the public?

With more bike commuters starting up due to the rise in gas prices, I think that there should be some way to inform both the drivers and the new bikers of the laws for everyone's safety.

I had similar discussions with my sister and mother recently when I was visiting Washington state.

My mom suggested that a cyclist she sees many mornings commuting should be on the sidewalk. I don't know WA law, but I said that it was probably illegal, and definitely less safe for the cyclist and pedestrians.

The next time I drove down the street where she usually sees the cyclist I noticed the sidewalks were buckled in spots, and had an occasional fire hydrant in the middle of them.... they were also narrowed significantly and frequently by power poles. Of course, my dear mother (65 years old) later the same day said that people should drive "at least" the posted speed (which I had just corrected my sister on the day before).

I did correct both my mom and sister, but only mildly as I didn't want to spoil my visit/vacation by leaving on the wrong note...

BTW - A letter to the editor I wrote last month did get attention. A couple of non-cyclists at work congratulated me on the letter.

I have considered writing a full article and asking each of the local papers to publish it. I am also considering offering to teach bicycle laws and safety at local schools, and also renting a booth at local fairs and events to promote safety and understanding.

I also plan to get others to join me, and taking the opportunity to ride in this Spring's St. Patrick Day parades in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre to promote cycling, especially safety and awareness of the law.

I have co-worker who gets irrate at cyclist who stray out of the bike lane or over the shoulder stripe and he goes out of his way to drive as close as possible to them in his truck to 'wake them up' and 'teach them to stay off the road'

No matter what I say about laws, etc. he is convinced he is doing them a favor.

Al

he goes out of his way to drive as close as possible to them in his truck to 'wake them up' and 'teach them to stay off the road' …No matter what I say about laws, etc. he is convinced he is doing them a favor.

Seems like the self-righteous teaching other people "a lesson" are getting to be quite a problem today, in cars and on bikes.

what would it take to have the state DMV's to include some form of cyclist laws on the written test for drivers?

I got the renewal for the vehicle tag the other day and here in Pennsylvania and in the letter they included a pamphlet on safe motorcycling. It alerts other types of motorists to be on the look out for motorcycles, which can be hard to see, subject to road conditions and the like. Pennsylvania motorcycists must have a powerful lobby they recently got the helmet laws repealed in the state. Perhaps Cycling organizations could approach the state and get them to include a pamplet about bicycles and how they have just as much rights to the road as autos and all that stuff.

Sounds like you GF might have had other issues on her mind and just said that crap about hitting the cyclists just to piss off her bike riding BF. I have seen some evidence that old folks and new drivers get confused about when to pass. Especially if they can almost get by you. Since it is not lilkely that they will hit you it is probably best to take up the whole lane, in slower, tighter situations.

This gets right to the heart of the feeling I have long had about most motorists.

Helmet Head and I have gone back and forth on this, where I feel that most motorists see us not as legal valid users of the road, but as obstacles that simply have to be avoided... like trash cans or stray dogs.

I feel that in order for cyclist to get full respect on the road, to be fully accepted as a fellow user of the road, motorists must be made aware of our status on the road as equal users.

Folks simply do not know the rules, they then make up their view of the traffic rules or worse yet, use something they once heard as the rule... "cyclists should be on the left side of the road," or "cyclists must ride in bike lanes or on sidewalks."

Even though the laws may be presented in the drivers' handbooks, drivers just flip through those pages as they (as yet) are not tested on those laws.

This is where I have stated time and time again that it is not just education of cyclists that is important, but also the motorists.

I now carry a copy of the laws (as I had done in the past) to pass out to motorists when and if they pull a bone head move around me. Will they listen... probably not... but they certainly can't say they were not told.

This is where I have stated time and time again that it is not just education of cyclists that is important, but also the motorists.

I really think that some PSAs that explain in a friendly tone laws about cyclists (not aimed at cyclist or motor vehicle drivers specifically) would both heighten awareness of cyclist on roads and clarify some laws that most drivers are ignorant of.

I'd start with a bit that when passing a cyclist one must by law give at minimum 3ft clearance. I did an informal office poll and found that no one of ~15 people knew this was law. Interestingly though all did know cyclists can legally use the road and must (but, blah, blah, yeah, yeah, don't) obey all laws.

Al

With more bike commuters starting up due to the rise in gas prices, I think that there should be some way to inform both the drivers and the new bikers of the laws for everyone's safety.

We will have to wait for more people to die for anything to change. That's the American way, dontchaknow?

I really think that some PSAs that explain in a friendly tone laws about cyclists (not aimed at cyclist or motor vehicles specifically) would both heighten awareness of cyclist on roads and clarify some laws that most drivers are ignorant of.

I'd start with a bit that when passing a cyclist one must by law give at minimum 3ft clearance. I did an informal office poll and found that no one of ~15 people knew this was law. Interestingly though all did know cyclists can legally use the road and must (but, blah, blah, yeah, yeah, don't) obey all laws.

Al

Fully agree... PSAs that adress both cyclists and motorists... tell the cyclist that they should ride with traffic, and tell the motorist that it is OK for us to be there.

I have done the same type of informal polls in my office and been really shocked at what folks "know."

I got the renewal for the vehicle tag the other day and here in Pennsylvania and in the letter they included a pamphlet on safe motorcycling. It alerts other types of motorists to be on the look out for motorcycles, which can be hard to see, subject to road conditions and the like. Pennsylvania motorcycists must have a powerful lobby they recently got the helmet laws repealed in the state. Perhaps Cycling organizations could approach the state and get them to include a pamplet about bicycles and how they have just as much rights to the road as autos and all that stuff.


I am new to PA (moved here at the first of the year) but I wonder... I have heard of 4 or 5 motorcycle deaths locally already (within 20 miles), and know of a few others where the riders narrowly escaped death (I work with one that has been out of work for several months). If the number of motorcycle related deaths and serious injury is the same across the state, I can understand the including of motorcycle related materials in the tags.

I have heard it said that in most cases if you see a traffic light, it was paid for by someone's death, so perhaps the same is true for flyers enclosed in official correspondence.

tell the motorist
Arrgh, in my quickness I wrote "aimed at ... motor vehicles" the drivers of course, the drivers! (I edited original post) I'm just thinking ahead for when vehicles watch TV and reprogram themselves ;)

Al

Arrgh, in my quickness I wrote "aimed at ... motor vehicles" the drivers of course, the drivers! (I edited original post) I'm just thinking ahead for when vehicles watch TV and reprogram themselves ;)

Al

I knew what you meant, but I think it is really a two way street out there... that the PSAs should be aimed at all users of the road... both the cyclists and the motorists. The potential reach is far greater and the message cuts both ways in that manner.

Just the other day, my girlfriend was driving while on her cell phone talking to me and started complaining about a cyclist being in the road and that she had to slow down on her way to class while he passed a line of parked cars. She even went so far as to say that she should (although she would never) just hit him and drive on because he shouldn't be allowed in the road. When I tried to explain the laws and that it's attitudes like hers that put people like me in danger, she said she wanted to see the laws because she didn't believe it. I sent her the laws and she still said that they should have to be doing the speed limit if they want to be on the road. Then I explained that Speed Limit doesn't mean "Speed Minimum" as most drivers seem to think and that very few cyclists can go 25mph uphill.

I didn't want to start a major argument about it, so I let it drop. I know she wouldn't do anything about her frustration to cyclists that are "in the way" but others do.

Get a new girlfriend.

Get a new girlfriend.
I'm glad you said that and not me. I only thought it.

I'm glad you said that and not me. I only thought it.

Here's how I envision the conversation would have gone if it were me.

[phone rings]

Me: "Hello?"

GF: [road noise in background] "Hi."

Me: "Hey, what's up? Are you in the car?"

GF: "Yeah, just on my way to class.".

Me: "You know I love you, and I'd love to talk, but why don't you call me back when you get where you're going."

GF: "Oh geez, you're such a dork. Ok. Bye."

Me: "Later."

See how easy that was? Argument avoided, and I'm still blissfully ignorant of my GFs secret cylist-hatred.

Hmm. On second thought, maybe there's a reason I don't have a GF ;).

-Trevor

You want to hear PSA's and see a video? Well here you go! Trailnet had them done here in Missouri! http://www.trailnet.org/oldsite/bw/main.htm

Enjoy! One was done by our local (Florissant MO) native Miss Missouri!

We don't watch regular TV or listen to the radio much so we missed hearing / seeing them "live".

I am with you all about getting more exposure. I think it needs to be a saturation campaign!

Keep Cycling!

Jeff

Here's how I envision the conversation would have gone if it were me.

[phone rings]

Me: "Hello?"

GF: [road noise in background] "Hi."

Me: "Hey, what's up? Are you in the car?"

GF: "Yeah, just on my way to class.".

Me: "You know I love you, and I'd love to talk, but why don't you call me back when you get where you're going."

GF: "Oh geez, you're such a dork. Ok. Bye."

Me: "Later."

See how easy that was? Argument avoided, and I'm still blissfully ignorant of my GFs secret cylist-hatred.

Hmm. On second thought, maybe there's a reason I don't have a GF ;).

-Trevor
This attitude about cell phone use eliminates one of the great values of cell phones - using driving time for communication.

There is a lot of work and personal communication happening now that did not occur before cell phones, and would not occur if cell phone use in cars was banned or discouraged.


You: "Hello?"

GF: "Sorry I didn't call when I got there, but I had to run to class. Anyway, I'm out now."

You: "No problem. I'd rather you focus on driving when you're driving."

GF: "I know, anyway, the reason I called you earlier was to see if you could come over for dinner tonight... I was going to pick up some steaks, maybe you could bring a bottle of wine..."

You: "Oh darn, my aunt called a half hour ago and invited me. Since I didn't have any plans..."

GF: "Well, too bad we didn't finish talking on my way to class..."

You: "Yeah, but driving while talking on the phone is equivalent to driving after drinking a half-glass of wine... Raincheck?"

GF: "Uh huh. I gotta go. Bye."

You: "Bye..."

:eek: