jharte

I was riding home last night and had to ride a little further out into the road than normal. There was so much glass, gravel, and other crap, I just didn't want to take a chance. Well, you know, I got yelled at.

I don't know if anyone has done this (and I don't know if anyone would even read it!) but I thought...I should write a book about cyclists for non-cycling MOTORISTS.

In my book I would explain to these non-cyclist motorists why we do what we do. Why we have to swerve into the street to avoid a broken bottle. Why we have to make emergency moves to keep from hitting a tire or firewood log left in the road (not by a cyclist, I'm sure).

I have a long list of things I'd like to say to non-cyclist motorists! Ha!

What would you say if given the chance?

Jerry H

Darth_Firebolt

"if you are taking the time to read this, you probably aren't part of the problem."
just sayin'.
also, "if i make you angry, at least i know you see me."

JPprivate

What would I say? Just take a 30 mile ride through the city and you will understand everything we (cyclists) do that may look weird to you now.

lil brown bat

Why would they read it? Not why should they read it...why would they read it?

crazybikerchick

This is what I said:
https://crazybikerchick.blogspot.com/...might-not.html

But I think most people that read it cycle

Tex_Arcana

Only way I see it working is if you put it into some sort of story form. You could reach at least teens if you put it in comic or manga form, maybe. Generally, I don't think people tend to read much and don't read anything at all that doesn't hold their interest or applies to them in a meaningful way.

Then you have to have a way to put it in peoples hands.

Your best bet wouldn't be printed media but more likely animated PSAs that people would want to watch.

Then you would also have to find a way to get cyclists or people on bicycle shaped objects to ride in a consistent way following the rules of the road. Otherwise everything you try to teach drivers will be wasted.

JPprivate

crazybikerchick - Read it, Loved it!

Ka_Jun

+1

tbdean

So this, but for commuters:

https://www.amazon.com/Roadie-Misunde...6993748&sr=1-1

maddyfish

I think maybe you would have less trouble if you adjusted your riding style a little. From a car's point of view, when you "swerve into the street", you look like(and maybe not just look like) a total idiot.
Swerving in and out of traffic is likely most of your problem.
If some idiot rider jumped from the gutter out into the lane right in front of me, I'd beep my horn too.

RIde in the street, don't swerve out into the street, and you will have less trouble.

As for your book idea, they don't care, the ones who can read it, won't, the illegals alien invaders who can't read dont care and dont have licenses anyway. The only ones who would read it, are ones who aren't the problem anyway.

daven1986

we need to get information like this into driving theory tests. As more cyclists emerge we need to know that motorists understand what we are doing and why we do it.

Perhaps talk to your council / state official about getting some information into the driving test.

zpl

It sounds like you're looking for a way to help motorists empathize with what cyclists have to experience, and why we have legitimate reasons to ride and be on the roadways.

Rather than a book, I think an effective way to do this would be to start inserting references to bicycling more into pop culture in positive ways. Someone needs to hire a PR firm to create some catchy lines about cycling and find some TV screenwriters who can stick them in popular media. Or musicians who can sing about them.

Scott

BroadSTPhilly

Get of the d%$m road. You're not a bike.

jewelthief

+1

mds0725

+1

In San Francisco, the bike safety class includes watching a film about what cyclists can do to ride more safely in automobile traffic. I realized as I was watching it that I was learning not only how to ride more safely but also how to drive more safely. I think information about safe cycling should be included in all driver's education classes and that questions about how to drive safely in circumstances involving cyclists should be included in the written driver's exam.

tatfiend 

I agree 10,000% and one place to put the information is IMO in the driving handbooks that the states hand out at the DMV offices that the licensing test questions are based on. The booklets I have read totally ignore bicyclists and have no information on the fact that by law they have the same rights to the road as motor vehicle drivers. The curriculum of high school driver education classes should also include information regarding cyclists, pedestrians and other slower moving potential hazards.

daven1986

https://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAn...code/DG_069858

this is all that is taught about cyclists in the UK. I feel they really need to show VIDEOS of situations, it is easy to say to someone "3 feet / 1 metre" but I feel actually showing it is far more effective. This goes especially for passing a cyclist - most drivers don't know what a safe distance looks like from either inside the car or as they are approaching the cyclist.

In fact I think I may send some comments to my government

TheDL

I agree with the further education of drivers but I also think there is an opportunity to teach cyclists their responsibilities while on a bike. I use the term "cyclists" somewhat broadly because I know there are cyclists and there are those people who merely ride a bike. The latter being those peope who ride on the wrong side of the road, ride at night or dawn w/o blinkies, etc. who nevertheless reflect on the rest of us in the cycling public.

dynaryder

Maryland had a pamphlet I downloaded about bike safety for drivers. This is the link for the site:
https://www.choosesafetyforlife.com/bicycle.htm

DC has a handout I used to try and pass out,but never had any luck with:
https://ddot.dc.gov/ddot/frames.asp?d...ation_card.pdf

evblazer

We should have information on the drivers test but for both drivers and for people who want to ride on the road. When I drive or ride I just have no idea what a cyclist is going to do in the next moment. At least if car does something unexpected and I hit them because I can't react fast enough they don't end up under my bumper or chainring. In the last month I actually have started moving over a lane to pass other cyclists if I had the room when I'm riding my bike. I can't imagine how the roadies that pass me inches away as I slow for a red light or stop sign don't get nailed by some slower cyclists.

crazybikerchick

Given a limited attention span, why not print a message for motorists to read on the back of your t-shirt in big bold lettering? I'd go for
CHANGE LANES TO PASS

RogerB

LAB has courseware for motorists. I wonder who actually takes this course?

nkfrench 

Sure, tell people how broken glass and debris make our gossamer little tires go flat -- then next thing you know every jerk out there will be tossing bottles into our bike lane jail just to discourage us from riding on the streets.

A possible solution is to incorporate more safety into driver's education and to require passing a written test every time the driver's license is renewed. I haven't had my knowlege or skills (other than eyesight) tested in almost 40 years despite changes in laws.

I think operator licensing should also be required for anyone who rides their bike on a public street but that's off topic and wrong discussion group.

EthanYQX

Really, the people who don't already do that are going to take that personally, not accepting the fact that it's a safety issue. Just like the "mobile speedbump" bumper stickers.

jharte

Maddyfish, I agree about adjusting my riding style. I actually thought of that on my way home (after getting yelled at). It is true when I get in my groove, I tend to ride quite far to the right. Today I did ride a little further out (still safely) and didn't have to make evasive moves to miss the crap in the road. Being predictable is very important to a motorist.

Crazybikerchick, awesome blog. Sometimes I seem to focus on the one or two jerks when in fact, there are hundreds of motorists that give plenty of room, courtesy, and sometimes even smile or wave.

All of that said, the one thing that I agreed with the most is having more information in the DMV book about cycling, both for the motorist AND for the cyclist. I'm a trainer and write lots of training material. Pictures and videos are a great tool.

With the state of our planet, I don't think the number of bicycle commuters is going to shrink in the next decade. I'd like to see a day when my children's children just don't know any different. They would bike to work because 'that's what we've always done".

Ok, I won't write the book.

Jerry H