Quote Originally Posted by GLC1968 View Post
That looks like a really good idea. We just moved to the PDX area last week, and while I consider myself a cyclist and educated about how to ride my bike in traffic...what I'm realizing is that as a driver, I'm less informed. I'm not used to driving with so many cyclists around (in my old city, I was often the only one on a bike!). I was thinking about this as I drove into work this morning. I find myself 'nervous' or at least a bit anxious when I'm in the car and there are bikes around. I don't want to hit anyone (of course) and I'm really not experienced with driving around so many bike lanes. As a driver, I think the boxes would really, really help.
One of the most important things that drivers can do is to get in the habit of checking their rearview mirrors before turning right. Many drivers aren't expecting anything to come up behind them on the right when waiting to turn, and just don't have the habit of checking. Many right-hooks happen that way. Also, it really helps cyclists when drivers use their turn signals. It helps so much to have a warning about where the cars are likely to be heading.

And on a completely unrelated note, if you haven't got it already, you need the Bike There! map put out by Metro. Most all the bike shops have it. Super helpful for planning rides in the pdx area.

You can also download an overlay of the Bike There! map for google earth, which goes further out into the rural areas than the paper map, and lets you see hills:

http://www.metro-region.org/index.cf...y.web/id=15341