Advocacy Statements by Cyclists

[oilfreeandhappy]

Many bicyclists wear clothing touting advocacy. Messages displayed on a cyclists back are much more prominent than a bumper sticker. Put yourself in a motorists postion. What do you perceive passing motorists think about this?

[mac]

What do you perceive passing motorists think about this?
"Look at that pus sy cyclist" - SUV Nation

I'm don't care for wearing political messages when I'm riding my bike because I'm... riding my bike. Leave the political nonsense where it belongs, at rallys. I don't want motorists to see you and your politically charged statements on your shirt, then assume that all cyclists think the same way.

[galen_52657]

If I commuted, I would consider some funny comments printed on the back of a shirt like: 'Bean Power' or something silly like that. Try to lighten the daily grind to work.

[San Rensho]

Many bicyclists wear clothing touting advocacy. Messages displayed on a cyclists back are much more prominent than a bumper sticker. Put yourself in a motorists postion. What do you perceive passing motorists think about this?

I think a message advocating sharing road, be careful with cyclists etc is good. What do you (or others) propose as a message that will make it safer for cyclists and not piss off car drivers?

[velonomad]

Only clothing I ever wear on my bike that has a message on it says
"My wife wouldn't let me have a Harley" It get more positive results that "Kill an SUV and save the world"

[sbhikes]

I think most people, if they notice me enough to think about it, are thinking how much they'd like to make a lifestyle change. I believe this because it's what people actually say to me most often.

[oilfreeandhappy]

Only clothing I ever wear on my bike that has a message on it says
"My wife wouldn't let me have a Harley" It get more positive results that "Kill an SUV and save the world"

That's a good one!

[The Gravy Train]

I'm not exactly sure that cars spend alot of time reading cyclists backs/milk baskets/any other "stickable surface", unless they are at some kind of "red light". In this case, a motorist would read the afformentioned back/milk basket/ etc. only if the motorist has already made comments on any and all bumper stickers in front of them. Then, when this has happened, they might think about some kind of life change. At this point the light would change.

[CommuterRun]

Interesting, but not for me. My situation doesn't allow it.

I think this is closest to the truth, but even more so, an often unadmitted truth, is that more people won't do it because it requires physical effort on their part and may detract from their perceived physical comfort.

In other words, people tend to be as lazy as they can be, or as they allow themselves to be.

[slagjumper]

I don’t see many advocacy statements on cyclist's clothing or bumper stickers for that matter. I think that we are largely ignored. People will do anything to avoid thinking about something that they see as controversial. Like Mac, they try to not be the nail that is sticking up, lest they get pounded down. I’d wear a red stripe oil jersey if for no other reason to remind people that there just might be an issue or two concerning oil that they should be aware of. Here is where I agree with Bush – America is dependant on oil and it is killing the world and our own economy.

[sbhikes]

Yeah, nobody ever reads the back of your shirt. It is simply your presence out there that makes some kind of statement to people.

Although today I saw a bike with a giant no smoking sign on the side. One of those cigarettes in a red circle with a slash. I certainly read that.

[slagjumper]

Yeah, nobody ever reads the back of your shirt. It is simply your presence out there that makes some kind of statement to people.

Although today I saw a bike with a giant no smoking sign on the side. One of those cigarettes in a red circle with a slash. I certainly read that.

When the Steelers won the SB, I went out around 11pm after the game in the snow, with my "Steeler" bike. That is a black bike with gold tires-- I got plenty of notice for that-- by the drunken revealers, (but the streeker got more attention). Got the idea of using a fiberglass flagpole with a banner. Perhaps I could get some advertising money to do my commute with a company's logo in tow off the flag pole. Or when no ad money is rolling in I could fly the social justice issues, typical of crazed American liberals like myself. You know something like "Free yourself from XOM domination". But that is a lot for most drivers to "get" in the 2 seconds that it takes to blow past. The peds might like it though.

[jimmuter]

I wish I could remember where I read it, but I once saw something about a guy trying to get the pick up truck crowd to quit hassling him on his rides. He got a shirt that said something alluding to divorce to the effect of 'my wife got the car'. His wife didn't like it, but it seemed to work. You need to know your target audience.

[77Univega]

Put yourself in a motorists postion. What do you perceive passing motorists think about this? --- I have no way of knowing what passing motorists are thinking. When I am driving my car, my own perception of written bike advocacy messages is that they are redundant. The very presence of a bicyclist on the road is its own advocacy statement.

[ItsJustMe]

I think 999 out of 1000 people think that they couldn't do it, or it's insanely dangerous, or something like that. It's extremely rare to talk to someone about riding on the road at all and not have them smile that little smile and try to get away from the crazy person.

[JohnBrooking]

I used to have a clear plastic sleeve on my backpack where I posted messages. The only reason I'm not still doing it was it wore out and I haven't bothered to replace it. (Well, maybe that means I got tired of it.)

I didn't answer the poll because I didn't do it to make motorists think any one particular thing; everyone's going to take it differently anyhow. I didn't really care what they thought. (Well, I suppose I hoped it would make them think, but my identity is not invested in that hope.) I mainly just wanted to express myself. (I was always the kind to put stuff on my college room door, too.) Think of it as a kind of quick transportational form of blogging.

I made all the signs myself. Some were political in nature, some were environmental (1000 MPG!), and if I felt daring and slightly mischievous, I'd go with "What Would Jesus Drive?"

Responses were mixed, some negative, some positive. But no one ever tried to run me off the road, and a number of people honked in a friendly way or said nice things.

[duane041]

--- I have no way of knowing what passing motorists are thinking. When I am driving my car, my own perception of written bike advocacy messages is that they are redundant. The very presence of a bicyclist on the road is its own advocacy statement.
Unfortunately, where I live, most passing motorists figure that if I'm riding to work I must be a recovering alcoholic who lost his license.
I do wear a HCCMF alert shirt courtesy of Eggplant Jeff" over in "Commuting". Simply states "Ride to Work, Work to Live, Live to Ride".

[John E]

Circa 1970, "This Vehicle is Smog Free" placards were often seen hanging from bicycle saddles or rear racks.

[iBarna]

There are people who will read your message... I like to read people's t-shirts, stickers, etc.

[The Seldom Kill]

I think that the difficulty in this is to find a message that doesn't come off as being smug halo polishing, freaky fanaticism or limp-wristed tree hugging. You're either offering something that the driver doesn't want to be or preaching to them.

The appeal repeatedly drops to zero and occasionally introduces alienation to the situation. Getting people to read something is easy, inspiring them is somewhat more difficult.

[Map tester]

I do wear a HCCMF alert shirt courtesy of Eggplant Jeff over in "Commuting". Simply states "Ride to Work, Work to Live, Live to Ride".

+1 :D