Advocacy & Safety - Jersey or Shirt back Message for Motorists?

I have noticed a few mentions here of riders either having or considering to put some type of message on their back for motorists to read. Obviously it couldn't be much more than two or three large words to have any effect. It seems to me that this could provide at least a small benefit to rider safety, and/or driver enlightenment.


Pass Safely
Share the Road
Support your local POLICE
Something else?
Nothing at all?

Your thoughts please.

Don't Tread on Me

A big arrow pointing to the left with a caption "Pass a minimum of three feet that way"

<--- Peace
War--->

A big arrow pointing to the left with a caption "Pass a minimum of three feet that way"

I've seen this on a jersey. The arrow and caption were on a "yield sign" type graphic. I complemented the wearer, but I forgot to ask where he got it.

You are assuming that the drivers that need to read the message see you at all...

Az

You are assuming that the drivers that need to read the message see you at all...

Az

And you're assuming drivers can read in full sentances in the first place.

That explains why when I drive, I completely loose my ability to comprehend street signs. Consequently, it takes my 3 times as long due to the aimless driving.

My suggestion:
If you can read this, back the f off!

Don't kill me!

Next Of Kin,
Lawyer.

or...

I'll
Leave
A Dent.

You need to appeal to their selfishness.

If you Hit me, I'll ruin your paint job

They gotta be short.
Maximum 5 words on 3 lines.

How about a big STOP sign on your back. Or a target.

I Shoot Back.

Ex-Wife Got the Car

How about:
Surveillance camera on board

how late
you'll be
if you hit me

Respect

Team Armed & Dangerous... with a shoulder-holstered 9mm included in the artwork.

Seriously though, I've suggested to at least one advocacy leader in Georgia that it would be nice to work out an arrangement between Georgia Bikes and the Governor's Office of Highway Safety to allow the use of the GSH seal as the centerpiece of a Georgia Bike's advocacy jersey. Perhaps placing "Share the Road" above the seal and "It's the Law" below it.

http://www.gahighwaysafety.org/images/2006lawenforcefront.jpg

Of course, what I think cyclists and cycling agencies across the country need to do is to follow the lead of the American Motorcycle Association (AMA) and their "Justice for All" program (http://www.ama-cycle.org/justice/index.asp) (aka, kill a biker go to jail) and create a similar nation wide effort to get driver accountability back under control.

http://www.amadirectlink.com/justice/images/logo_mn.gif

As I've mentioned in this forum before, I have a real problem with the official DOT "Share the Road" signs that depict a bicycle in profile on a "road hazard" sign analogous to a deer, school crossing, children playing sign instead of on a square black on white regulatory sign that would remind motorists that yielding to cyclists was just as much a part of their responsibility as following the speed limit and other road regulations.

"POLITE" using uppercase letters

"POLITE" using uppercase letters
I like that.

How about the time honored and familiar: SHARE THE ROAD or maybe: PLEASE SHARE THE ROAD

It needs to be available in reflective letters as well!

"Your Haste Is Your Problem"

How about "Get Out of Your Cage!"

how late
you'll be
if you hit me

Assuming they'd even stop! :(

Only Worth 5 Points


Now think about it, you want to distract a driver by having them try to read a t-shirt form a distance on a potentially hunched over rider?

Human On Board

Now think about it, you want to distract a driver by having them try to read a t-shirt form a distance on a potentially hunched over rider?

Yeah, I considered that. That's why the message has to be large and short, unlike some bumper stickers that make drivers run up close as they are straining to read them! How long does it take to read a few large words? One or two seconds? I WANT drivers to look at me for at least that long.

Maybe a giant reflective NRA logo?
On the other hand, guns are a leading motivation for home burglary around here. (ironic, eh?) Might be a good way to get ambushed by crazed tweakers.

Take time to
Pass safely

[Surrounded by a randomized multi-font collage] Police, Handcuffs, Ticket, Citation, Court, Insurance rate increase, Jail, Driver’s license suspension, ambulance, death, injury, Hospital fees, Reckless endangerment, Vehicular homicide, Vehicular assault, Aggressive driving, Points, Fines

Like the big lighted signs for road construction: one big, bright, reflective yellow arrow pointing to the left.

I see no reason to further intimidate motorists. Most already don't know how to react.

I like the share the road one...or this:
http://media.threadless.com//product/563/zoom.gif
It's just polite to inform people before you run them over.

I see no reason to further intimidate motorists.

Intimidate? You gotta be kidding.

I think it's a good idea. I would buy one.


STATE
LAW
3 FEET
TO PASS
<--->

How about a picture of the "share the road" sign, with

MY TURN

written over it in "spraypaint" font?

Great for those streches where you have to play in traffic or play CX.

How about:

HORN IF YOU'RE *****!

i have t-shirts that say:

1) "99.9 mpg" from wife's Toyota Prius, gets conversations started!
2) "human powered" that hasn't seemed to insight much feedback (still fishing)
3) "one less car" classic, have gotten most reponses from this one

i think it's a good idea to plant seeds this way; i like some of the other suggestions!

I mentioned this same subject back in May where I was considering mounting a sign on the full back-rest of my semi-recumbent that would read: PASS IN LEFT LANE ONLY. I figured with drivers trying to approximate 3 feet might make no difference with the distance they currently pass me at. In the thread I started, the topic concerned an innovative program that allows camera/video-phones to be linked to a web-site where images or video segments are sent to the website every 5 seconds. A sign advising 'This Bike Equipped with Streaming Surveillance'

Lately, I've thought of applying a professional-looking sticker onto the frame stating 'This vehicle protected by wireless location tracking device' and give it an official-sounding fictional name to deter thieves. Of course, they might look around for where a transmitter might be installed and wouldn't find one, but it would likely discourage potential thieves anyway.

What I really want to say is "CARS SUCK", but some may take offense. So I'll stick with "POWERED BY SWEAT".

"POLITE" using uppercase letters
I like it, add a big six point star or shield background!

Watch It

Besides Pass Safely or Share the Road, I also like Human on Board or Human Powered Vehicle. I'd also like to comment on the legality of cycling on the road since many drivers around here don't really have a clue. How about:


LEGAL
ROAD
USER

LEGAL
ROAD
VEHICLE

LEGAL
AND
FUN

Any other ideas?

A big arrow pointing to the left with a caption "Pass a minimum of three feet that way"

That's just begging to have some teenager see how close he can get to you! :eek:

That's just begging to have some teenager see how close he can get to you! :eek:


yes. That's what I meant by "let's don't intimidate motorists more than we have to". They will respond negatively and we really don't need any more crap than we already have to deal with.

How about "How Much Per Gallon?"
or, "Got Ga$?"

The Starbucks line is slower!

I see no reason to further intimidate motorists. Most already don't know how to react.

When was the last time someone took offense to a bumper sticker? Then again, it wasn't attached to 3000 lbs. of metal and bigger insurance premium... :rolleyes:

I would like to have one of those scrolling signs saying, "I know some motorists would not mind running me over until they think of the paperwork involved." :D Big enough to read from a distance and long enough to make them slow down.

How about turning things around? Instead of preaching to people in cars, how about a slogan that tells about us? Something like "UNCAGED!"

I'll
Leave
A Dent.

You need to appeal to their selfishness.

I was lurking on the forums and after reading this post, I was laughing so hard. I just had to register to say your post touched me. Keep 'em coming.