Quote Originally Posted by zencentury View Post
Do you have any contacts that might be able to get a story into the paper?

There was a great story about the share the road campaign last Sunday's front page (before the negative press on the lawsuits hit).


Signs meant to help cyclists
By Gavin Lesnick (Contact)
Sunday, September 30, 2007

Jim Bush can list a world of reasons why his friend and fellow cyclist, Sam Wolf II, should still be alive.

Wolf was killed Oct. 1, 2006, during the Great Pumpkin Metric Ride when a Jeep collided with his bicycle on St. Philip Road in rural Posey County.

The weather that day was bright and sunny, Bush recalled, the accident occurred in mid-morning with plenty of light, Wolf was wearing a bright yellow jersey, the collision happened at a wide-open intersection with no visual barriers and it was during a large, organized ride.

"For any reason, that accident probably shouldn't have happened," Bush said. "But it did."

That's why Bush and a group of supporters are raising money and calling for local officials to install "Share the Road" signs on roadways frequented by cars and bicycles.

Builds awareness

It started as an effort to build awareness for bicycle safety while also honoring Wolf by installing the signs at the intersection where his accident occurred.

Those went up this spring, but since then, Bush and others have raised money to put the signs throughout the greater Evansville area.

As the anniversary of Wolf's death approaches and as more than 900 cyclists gear up for the first Pumpkin ride since the mishap, Bush has purchased more than 50 signs, including 26 set to go up around Vanderburgh County in the coming weeks.

"When we lost our friend, we wanted to try and make a positive out of a negative, out of our loss," Bush said. "Share the road signs are one way we thought we could do that."

The program has multiple goals, Bush said.

On one level, the mere presence of the signs will alert motorists and make them more aware that bicyclists need space, too. As communities grow, Bush said many quiet country roads are turning into busy thoroughfares or are used by motorists as shortcuts, so the need is increasingly there.

The signs also make a statement that the community supports healthy lifestyles and promotes safe exercise options, which Bush said is a quality of life issue. It could encourage people to move here or businesses to locate here, he said.

"It's kind of a ripple effect," Bush said. "Not necessarily that a sign can change all that, but if it's something to show progress in that direction, I think it's a worthwhile step."

Between the pole, the nuts and bolts and two metal signs (one reading "Share the Road" and one with a small icon of a bicycle), each sign costs about $50.

The fundraising efforts started with a display at the North Side Bob's Gym, where Bush works as a trainer. It grew through word-of-mouth and e-mail to various cycling enthusiasts and then again when Bush partnered with the Indiana Bicycle Coalition to promote the cause.

Permission sought

That provided funds to buy 53 of the signs, though before any could be placed, Bush had to seek permission from the governing bodies in each locality.

In Vanderburgh County, where signs will be placed soon along Oak Hill, Browning and Boonville-New Harmony roads, that meant going in front of the County Commissioners and pitching the plan.

It was an easy sell, Bush said, because there was lit-tle cost to the county.

The commissioners embraced the idea and voted to approve it unanimously.

"It's a great project," said Democratic Commissioner Troy Tornatta. "It's just unique that you have somebody with the passion that Jim and the people helping him have. We welcome that. And we want to be a leader to show we care about fitness and safety."

Posey commissioners also approved the signs, and Bush will soon seek approval from Newburgh and Warrick County officials to place them on roadways there.

In addition to the signs, Bush is spearheading a series of public service announcements that will appear soon on television and in print. Those will serve to remind motorists and bicyclists of the rules for respecting one another's space and keeping each other safe.

Both efforts will continue as long as possible, Bush said, as supporters strive to make a real difference in the community.

Whether it prevents a future tragedy may never be known, but Bush said he's confident his efforts can make a big difference.

And he can do it for a good friend.

"If I can do something to make a positive out of (Sam's) loss, then his loss is not in vain," he said. "That's what I'm working toward."



Here's the negatively received article:
http://www.courierpress.com/news/200...bposey-driver/