Advocacy & Safety - Is there a safe way to show support while driving?

I love cycling, and I love cyclist. However, recently, I've been at a conundrum: Is there a way to show your approval / support for fellow cyclist on the road? Rather, is there a SAFE way to do so?

I always thought maybe a thumbs-up or something would suffice, but that seems kind of odd. I know riding the bike on the roads around here can be quite degrading - people honk at you, scream at you, mock you, do just about anything to make you miserable, so I want to show them that not all drivers are ignorant and stereotypical rednecks.

I've done the thumbs up before, too. <_< They wave and seem to smile when they see it, if they see it. Others kind of cock their head and look at you funny.

Either a "share the road" number plate like they have in a few states or bumper stickers? Yelling and gesturing out the window usually just looks like another cranky motorist.

Wait to pass safely, give them a couple feet when you do pass and don't right or left hook. That's probably the best way to show your support.

Have wondered the same thing myself. I may even have the bike in the back of my truck and still be wearing my "colors" and have wondered how to show support for a fellow cyclist.

I love cycling, and I love cyclist. However, recently, I've been at a conundrum: Is there a way to show your approval / support for fellow cyclist on the road? Rather, is there a SAFE way to do so?

I always thought maybe a thumbs-up or something would suffice, but that seems kind of odd. I know riding the bike on the roads around here can be quite degrading - people honk at you, scream at you, mock you, do just about anything to make you miserable, so I want to show them that not all drivers are ignorant and stereotypical rednecks.

I've done the thumbs up before, too. <_< They wave and seem to smile when they see it, if they see it. Others kind of cock their head and look at you funny.


Definitely many things you can do. Yes, the thumbs up and a nice 'shave and a haircut/six bits!' horn beep helps. Second, SLOW DOWN AND SLOW THE PEOPLE BEHIND YOU DOWN. Give cyclists their due, whether it is 3 feet or whatever, and slow down until it is safe to pass. Be vigilant when cyclists take the lane...don't forget, they don't have brake lights so ya need to be attentive to see if they are slowing down to turn right or left at the next intersection.

ADVOCATE better roadways, especially improved (wider, cleaner, well marked) shoulders. This makes the roadway safer for everyone.

roughstuff

Keep you bike rack on your car. I love seeing cars with bike racks on them. lets me know they are not trying to kill me.

Treat them as you want to be treated and lead other motorists by example:

I pass bikes as if they are the vehicles they are, I follow at a safe distance (one car length for every 10mphs of speed as I was taught in Dr. Ed. for following cars), I wait until a safe passing location (including a dotted center yellow if on a marked two lane road), I use my blinker (wish cars would do this when passing cars!), change to the next lane after checking my blind spot, make the pass at a safe speed and with due caution, and use my blinker before changing back to the original lane and checking my blind spot.

I do not do the things which really annoy me as a cyclist: honking, yelling, gesturing, etc. Honks always seem to startle me (even if done in a happy rhythm and with no ill intent), yelling is always indecipherable, gesturing is usually impossible to interpret through the side and rear windows.

Don't drive like a ******, don't honk, don't holler and give me plenty of space...that's all the support I need.

Definitely many things you can do. Yes, the thumbs up and a nice 'shave and a haircut/six bits!' horn beep helps. Second, SLOW DOWN AND SLOW THE PEOPLE BEHIND YOU DOWN. Give cyclists their due, whether it is 3 feet or whatever, and slow down until it is safe to pass. Be vigilant when cyclists take the lane...don't forget, they don't have brake lights so ya need to be attentive to see if they are slowing down to turn right or left at the next intersection.

ADVOCATE better roadways, especially improved (wider, cleaner, well marked) shoulders. This makes the roadway safer for everyone.

roughstuff

I agree, I slow way down and stay behind them until it is very safe to pass and never pass too close. Also, advocate for better roadways and better enforcement of trafic laws which will probaby require retraining of police (make them ride bikes to and from and during work for a while and we might see them actually start to care a bit more).

Well I figured seeing as how cyclists usually need water I will usually chuck...ahem...gently toss, a full water bottle at them. I have to yell too, to make sure they know I was well intentioned.

Most are usually very polite, holding their hands out and telling me I'm number one.

Rattle a cowbell so they think there is a prime coming up and they dial it up a notch with excitement.

Rattle a cowbell so they think there is a prime coming up and they dial it up a notch with excitement.

You are an evil little feller....I like you.

Funny thing is, I know a guy that drives around with a cowbell in his vehicle and when he is driving up an extended hill where cyclists are prone to be, he rattles it as he passes and yells, "Allez! Allez!"

Don't drive like a ******, don't honk, don't holler and give me plenty of space...that's all the support I need.

+1

Depends.

If they appear to be riding legally I give a thumbs up or wave out the window or sunroof depending on where I'm sitting and which side of the car will pass them.

If they're riding the wrong way, on the sidewalk, running redlights, etc., I do nothing, other than a safe pass.

... I know riding the bike on the roads around here can be quite degrading - people honk at you, scream at you, mock you, do just about anything to make you miserable ...This statement sounds very odd to me. The JAMs that act like this are degrading themselves, not me. Although I do not like their behavior, after riding another 100 yards, I have put their bad behavior behind me. Most of the JAMs continue to remain angry for the rest of their drive.



... so I want to show them that not all drivers are ignorant and stereotypical rednecks. ...Almost all of us know the JAMs comprise only 1 or 2 % of all the drivers out there.

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll262/kurterle/Sharethelove.jpg

http://www.isharetheroad.com/wp-content/_iShareLogo_stickerborder2.gif

http://bikeportland.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/brakeforpeople.jpg

Slow down to the speed the bikes are going.

Put my four-way flashers on.

Stay 250 feet back.

Only pass cyclists when there is safe space and visibility, and scrupulously obey speed limits at all times, regardless of the speed of other drivers!

hand out a feed bag or bottles of water as you pass and let them know how long to the break ahead. also, when they grab the bottle from your hand have them hold on so they can get a little break from pedaling. not to long though, otherwise he'll be penalized time.

I have sticker from the LBS on my car.

[

http://bikeportland.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/brakeforpeople.jpg

I like this one.

Do as you would be done by :)

Do as you would be done by :)

Do others before they do you...or she calls the cops.

One way to show your support is to attend your municipal advisory meetings on cycle safety and traffic planning. There's one here in Los Angeles tonight and I'll be there.

You don't need to show support, just be respectful and safe as you should around any other driver.

I love cycling, and I love cyclist. However, recently, I've been at a conundrum: Is there a way to show your approval / support for fellow cyclist on the road? Rather, is there a SAFE way to do so?


Yes, drive safe around cyclists - and be a good example for other drivers to follow.
:thumb:

When I see cars with bikes on the back, I don't think 'hey, they support cycling', I think 'why aren't they riding it?'.

Thumbs up, waves and big smiles are nice. I like it when I get 'em.

When I see cars with bikes on the back, I don't think 'hey, they support cycling', I think 'why aren't they riding it?'.

haha I do the same thing.

For the most part when i'm driving i advocate by treating the cyclist the way i'd want to be treated on the road, and wave hello or give them a wave.

I like this one.
You can get one for free. (http://bikeportland.org/2007/10/31/order-your-very-own-i-brake-for-people-bumper-stickers/)

Take the pledge:

http://www.healthystreets.org/drive_with_care_pledge.html

when i worked at a mechanics shop we had a customer that worked at a car accessory shop and did vinyl work. i had him make me a bumber sticker that said "my other car is a bicycle"
when a cyclist came up to me at a light they'd be laughing and just say "nice bumper sticker, man" or something to that effect. that was my support. i've since sold that car and have no intentions of getting another for a long time. but i just figured i'd do that since i hate people honking even when it's friendly, and generally i can't tell what someone is yelling or doing with their hands so i don't do that. at a light a thumbs up is probably recognizable, but it could easily seem sarcastic i guess, and if the car is moving it would probably look like a different finger is extended.

kyle

When I see cars with bikes on the back, I don't think 'hey, they support cycling', I think 'why aren't they riding it?'.In my case, it means I am taking my wife's car in for expensive repairs and I would rather ride my bicycle while the repairs are being done, rather than sit on my ass (four new tires Tuesday $390).

We could copy the bumpersticker from motorcycles, and say Look Twice! Save a Life. Bicycles are everywhere.

roughstuff

In my case, it means I am taking my wife's car in for expensive repairs and I would rather ride my bicycle while the repairs are being done, rather than sit on my ass (four new tires Tuesday $390).

I never said it was an entirely rational thought process. No need to defend yourself to me, dude. :)

Share the Road bumper sticker.

I was out riding with my kids recently. There is a road with a nice, wide and fairly clean shoulder that we were riding on. I was a little ahead, and a car honked at my kids, and then honked at me. I dutifully flipped them off, and when they passed, I was surprised to see that the car had 2 expensive bikes on a roof rack. I dunno about some people, I can't imagine a cyclist that thinks honking is anything other than an aggressive act.

When I'm driving, I just try to pass cyclists as responsibly and quickly as possible. I prefer to be passed with as little fuss as possible. I wouldn't like it if someone was disrupting traffic behind me in some effort to "help" me. I recall one ride where someone refused to pass me for many miles for absolutely no reason. They built up a huge line of cars behind me. That was incredibly annoying. The other drivers don't get pissed at the car driver, they get pissed at the cyclist.

When I'm driving, I just try to pass cyclists as responsibly and quickly as possible. I prefer to be passed with as little fuss as possible. I wouldn't like it if someone was disrupting traffic behind me in some effort to "help" me. I recall one ride where someone refused to pass me for many miles for absolutely no reason. They built up a huge line of cars behind me. That was incredibly annoying. The other drivers don't get pissed at the car driver, they get pissed at the cyclist.

I've had the same thing happen to me. I looked back and yelled to the driver to just pass me but they wouldn't. it was a country road so there wasn't anywhere to turn off for a while but once i got to a right hand turn i made it just so they would go. I know the person was trying to help but really it was annoying to me and the cars behind.

kyle

Don't drive like a ******, don't honk, don't holler and give me plenty of space...that's all the support I need.

i agree with this one, or put a share the road decal on your car.

http://www.cafepress.com/sharetheroad

I love cycling, and I love cyclist. However, recently, I've been at a conundrum: Is there a way to show your approval / support for fellow cyclist on the road? Rather, is there a SAFE way to do so?

I always thought maybe a thumbs-up or something would suffice, but that seems kind of odd. I know riding the bike on the roads around here can be quite degrading - people honk at you, scream at you, mock you, do just about anything to make you miserable, so I want to show them that not all drivers are ignorant and stereotypical rednecks.

I've done the thumbs up before, too. <_< They wave and seem to smile when they see it, if they see it. Others kind of cock their head and look at you funny.

Your car needs a friendly bell. How about if all cyclists that want to show their support give a ring-ring on their way by from their car.

The other night I was stopped at a light on a busy intersection. There was a car next to me sharing the lane. The light went green, and I jumped on it. I usually get to the other side of the intersection before the cars, so at first I didn't pay much attention to the fact that the car which had been waiting alongside me in the intersection had not yet passed me. But by the time I was two intersection-widths past the intersection, I began wondering what became of the car.

I became aware that the car was hanging back, sort of behind me. It had plenty of room to get around me, but was just kind of slowing traffic down behind it and hanging a car length or two behind me. Wierd... by now I'm going about 24mph thanks to a little tailwind.

A half mile later, the car passed me, and someone in the back rolled down the window to shout, "Good going, keep it up!!!"

Probably the nicest thing anyone has shouted to me from a passing car, and I actually appreciated it.

Last week I had my first incident of random yelling from a passing car while I was riding both legally and safely, so it made yesterday's incident that much more rewarding:

On my ride home I was stopped at a light, and as I was looking around the woman in the car next to me gave me a "thumbs up" with a big smile.

http://www.bikeforums.net/image.php?u=129289&type=sigpic&dateline=1217331601

Not another one of those left-handed bikes?

If there are no cyclists close behind you, be proactive: Drive in the door zone.