J
Jym Dyer
Guest
[Also sent to bicyclism]
=v= Various parts of the U.S. have "Share the Road" programs, which intend to promote the
coexistence of bikes and cars on the same streets. The name has been problematic, though, and I've
heard from several quarters about motorists shouting "Share the Road!" while using vehicular assault
to discourage bicyclists from taking the lane.
=v= Compounding the problem, these programs usually feature logos showing a bicycle hugging the
right side of the road, or right next to a car, in the door zone. Everyone knows that bicycles are
usually supposed to keep to the right, but there's widespread ignorance about the times we're
permitted to (and should) take the lane. These logos don't address that problematic ignorance, and
may even be taken as support for the "bikes keep to the right no matter what" misperception.
=v= The best StR logo I've ever seen is in Pennsylvania, which shows a bike IN FRONT of a car. You
can see it on the cover of their bike manual:
http://www.dot.state.pa.us/Internet/hwyIntHS.nsf/frmBikeManual
They even put this on their envelopes, so every license renewal, etc., shows it! Let's hope it
educates motorists. <_Jym_
=v= Various parts of the U.S. have "Share the Road" programs, which intend to promote the
coexistence of bikes and cars on the same streets. The name has been problematic, though, and I've
heard from several quarters about motorists shouting "Share the Road!" while using vehicular assault
to discourage bicyclists from taking the lane.
=v= Compounding the problem, these programs usually feature logos showing a bicycle hugging the
right side of the road, or right next to a car, in the door zone. Everyone knows that bicycles are
usually supposed to keep to the right, but there's widespread ignorance about the times we're
permitted to (and should) take the lane. These logos don't address that problematic ignorance, and
may even be taken as support for the "bikes keep to the right no matter what" misperception.
=v= The best StR logo I've ever seen is in Pennsylvania, which shows a bike IN FRONT of a car. You
can see it on the cover of their bike manual:
http://www.dot.state.pa.us/Internet/hwyIntHS.nsf/frmBikeManual
They even put this on their envelopes, so every license renewal, etc., shows it! Let's hope it
educates motorists. <_Jym_