Advocacy & Safety - Pay attention to drivers, because they aren't looking at you.

I just found a gripping video emphasizing the need for cyclists, drivers, and pedestrians to pay attention to the road and to obey all posted rules of the road.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgYA2c5iyzs&feature=player_embedded

Does anyone have tips and tricks for being noticed or any stories of how safety gear worked for them?

Graphic, but most effective set of clips - and yet, I wonder if these PSAs would have any effect if aired in the States. Folks pretty much tune themselves out of anything they do not wish to hear, these days anyway.

More conceivably, some group of power-wielding censorship nannies would ultimately force the campaign off the airwaves.

-Kurt

We are responsible for our own safety. Often, we take it for granted.

Cyclists and bikers often feel [dangerously] that their small vehicle can squeeze past and weave between other vehicles & lanes. That's just one example of how they often got into trouble.

Check out dirt bikes (http://bikes.justwang.com/dirt-bikes/)

I just found a gripping video emphasizing the need for cyclists, drivers, and pedestrians to pay attention to the road and to obey all posted rules of the road.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgYA2c5iyzs&feature=player_embedded

Does anyone have tips and tricks for being noticed or any stories of how safety gear worked for them?

This is another reason why, I 'take the lane', so the motorist behind me, won't miss seeing me. So much so, that, I become an eyesore, instead of an afterthought.

I am constantly watching and, listening for traffic.

this video should be part of the driving test . it hit's home hard that driving like an ass can kill

I don't think USA TV would air these due to their graphic nature. People would immediately start yelling that TV shouldn't show something like that. I think that's the point. Many drivers (and cyclists) need a huge slap in the face.
BTW, does the pinky wave mean something in the country where these came from (UK?) ?

I don't think USA TV would air these due to their graphic nature.

Nono, it's ok. There's no sex or nudity.

I don't think USA TV would air these due to their graphic nature. People would immediately start yelling that TV shouldn't show something like that. I think that's the point. Many drivers (and cyclists) need a huge slap in the face.
BTW, does the pinky wave mean something in the country where these came from (UK?) ?

Of course they could never be shown, they might be seen by a child, and we must always think of the children!

Although I never wore one myself, IMO probably the best way to be noticed in the daytime is to wear a fluorescent green shirt/jacket/vest. I am thinking how the long-sleeved varieties are better since people can see one's arms even at night, but of course they're too hot for summer use.

Some vests these days even come with blinking LEDs, which (provided that they're of the proper colors) are probably even better come nighttime.

Yes, our society could use more PSAs of that sort.

Cyclists and bikers often feel [dangerously] that their small vehicle can squeeze past and weave between other vehicles & lanes. That's just one example of how they often got into trouble.

Oh, so that is why you posted this - to rub motorist superiority views in the the face of cyclists (not that I perform filtering maneuvers myself).



Nono, it's ok. There's no sex or nudity.

Then add some - it just might help it get aired.



People would immediately start yelling that TV shouldn't show something like that. I think that's the point. Many drivers (and cyclists) need a huge slap in the face.

That is part of the problem: There is no shock value when the P.C.-nannies see it, ignore the message, and attack it for graphic content. You've just lost the PSA's "punch."

-Kurt

Oh, so that is why you posted this - to rub motorist superiority views in the the face of cyclists (not that I perform filtering maneuvers myself).
-Kurt

The way I read lively jason's comment was that we need to watch out for the cars because they're not watching out for us.

Somebody also asked about the finger wave. I believe that it is denigrating the other person's manhood. In other words they have a small insert favorite euphamism.

I painted my bike bright red with metallic flakes to make it conspicuous. I've seen glow in the dark and other reflective paints out there. If I ever build a white bike I'm going to top it with some glow in the dark.

America's warning labels have always been easy to discount because they aren't obvious, so as not to hurt the sales of say drugs and alcohol. For example, an American box o' cigshttp://images03.olx.com/ui/1/73/66/f_38826766_1.jpeg
and a European box of the same type
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b300/horey/DSCN3060.jpg?t=1250453254

Conclusion, it's easier to ignore the truth than to face it.

Chris516, do you take the lane at all times or when stopped at intersections?

Cycling accident stats:
http://www.rospa.com/roadsafety/advice/cycling/cycling_accidents.htm

This is another reason why, I 'take the lane',

Weird, in none of the scenarios would "taking the lane" have made in any difference. But if you are a "One trick pony...." the same response works for every situation. Easy way to avoid cogent thought.

Geary

I just found a gripping video emphasizing the need for cyclists, drivers, and pedestrians to pay attention to the road and to obey all posted rules of the road.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgYA2c5iyzs&feature=player_embedded

Does anyone have tips and tricks for being noticed or any stories of how safety gear worked for them?

That was very good. Too bad it'd probably never see the light of day on American TV. :-(

Graphic, but most effective set of clips - and yet, I wonder if these PSAs would have any effect if aired in the States. Folks pretty much tune themselves out of anything they do not wish to hear, these days anyway.

More conceivably, some group of power-wielding censorship nannies would ultimately force the campaign off the airwaves.

-Kurt

I agree, those who really need to see it wouldn't because it'd be considered too "graphic."

Wow.

They have that in Drivers Ed classes. I remember watching films like "Red Asphalt". In one of them, they actually showed the left half of a guys face flapping loose while they pulled his body out. PSA's could be excerpts from Drivers Ed films.
What would be better is seeing a judge bang a gavel, then show prisoners working in the fields in Maricopa Co, AZ, with a Deputy and German Shepherd watching over them. Show the tents they'll be living in and the gruel they'll be eating.

I already assume i'm invisible to drivers anyway.