Creating Awareness in my Community

[Laru]

Hi Everyone!
I plan to start bike commuting to work next week. The motorists in my area seem to be fairly clueless about sharing the road w/ cyclists. I have noticed that cars do not tend to 'go around' me at all or otherwise yield to the left side of the lane... They also seem to think that, if they can't go around then it is better if they speed up when passing me - like maybe they think they're doing me a favor by passing me quickly?

Has anyone had any luck "single-handedly" creating awareness in a community where there are very few cyclists/commuters? I have considered putting up signs on the side of the road where my route is. Or maybe a helpful slogan on the back of my neon t-shirt?

Any ideas on a short, easily seen and read slogan to put on my shirt so that some of these drivers might think before speeding at 60 mph past me w/ only a few inches between them and me? I don't want to be rude or anything, just something so that people think twice about their habits when encountering a cyclist on the road.
Thoughts?

Laru

[Trek420]

How about a letter to the editor? Is there a bike club near you? You could stage a campaign.

Somewhere around here's a thread, think it was Silver & Mr. Silver headed a Share the Road sign drive in their area.

[mimitabby]

Move to the left! if you are hugging the curb, cars are going to assume you are passable, and they don't have to make an effort. Get out about 4-6 feet and they will have to go around you. THAT will give them awareness!

[Geonz]

Moving to the left has been the single most effective instant-change-creator for me, too. This is somehwhat true here, but even more on a busier-than-I-liked 100 mile rdie with a friend. It was simply amazing that when I went out a single foot - about where the right tire of a car would be - drivers passed with more room. (They were still going fast, but further away.)
Another idea is to get one of those 'flash flags' ... another link here . The flag sticks out but is flexible so if you hit something it just bends, but it draws attention to your outside self.

[Geonz]

SNork... which led me to this page: "alternatives to the safety flag"

http://www.bikecommuters.com/2007/10...e-safety-flag/

[Laru]

wow! the flash flag! just what I was looking for. I was considering rigging one up myself. good to see that they already exist.

I have taken the lane on occaision and it does help but some people tend to speed right around me - and closely in some cases. It is very scary when you can hear the car behind you approaching fast and you aren't sure if they plan to go around or plow you down. I have even had one motorist speed up so they could swerve around me before the car in the oncoming lane too close - I guess they didn't want to use their brake pedal.

I guess mine isn't a new issue. It would be nice if I could get some of these people thinking about the safety of others.

Letter to the editor sounds like a great idea. Any suggestions on what to say? I am sure someone has already come up with some great ideas in this vein...

[quint41]

Funny this topic came up just when I was thinking that I'd really like to buy a jersey with the bright Visi-Yellow "SHARE THE ROAD" logo and text largely emblazoned on the back. In my mind, I picture a bright white jersey with the bright visi-yellow logo, something that would be visible against the backdrop of trees, asphalt, or even in dusky conditions. Would you believe there is NOTHING of the sort on the market? I've exhausted myself Google-searching! There are gazillions of t-shirt, coasters, posters, hats, even doormats, but nothing that the road rider can wear when it's really needed the most. What is up with that?

There is one guy who designed a Share the Road jersey, but it's got lots of black and regular yellow, very graphic. In my mind, it needs to be plain and extremely bright in order to be seen by motorists.

Just me putting in my cents ......

[Tuckervill]

I want a jersey that proclaims our 3 feet law, but I don't want any cracks about the size of my arse!

Karen

[Melalvai]

First, take a Road I course (check the League of American Bicyclist's website for a course near you).

Second, get involved with the community. I just don't think trying to change the world by yourself will be effective. If there is not currently something in your community you can start it with help from established groups, such as the League, or a state group if you have one. Maybe the One Million Bicycles project can impact your area.

I love the flags you found, Geonz. I really want the pirate flag!

[PscyclePath]

Cross-posted from another response to a similar question... hopefully the links will come along.

Good stuff from the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin:
http://www.sfbike.org/?employers
http://www.bfw.org/articles/bikecommuting.php

And BFW's "Parking For Free" employer's guide and case studies:
http://www.bfw.org/projects/commute.pdf

From the Bicycle Coalition of Maine:
http://www.bikemaine.org/btwemployer.htm

And from BikeIowa:
http://www.bikeiowa.com/asp/bike/EmployerGuide.asp

Lots of good stuff from the San Francisco Transportation Management Association:
http://www.sacramento-tma.org/Bicycling.htm

Some facts and figures from Commuter Connections:
http://www.mwcog.org/commuter/Bdy-bike10.html

And from RoadBikeRider.com, this is one of the best little handbooks that's currently out there... I've had a copy for awhile (and use it heavily in the LAB Commuting course), but they were giving it away last week at least...
http://www.roadbikerider.com/bc_excerpt.htm