Make Roads Safer For Bicyclists

MAKE ROADS SAFER FOR BICYCLISTS

BRIAN DIRKS
seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/362140_bikesafety08.html

You have seen us along rural roads, city streets or riding off a ferry: groups of bicyclists moving like a winding ribbon of metal and muscle in silvery helmets, bright-colored garb and blinking lights.

Cyclists want you to spot them. They share a love of the road, great Washington scenery, cheery camaraderie, a zeal for a healthy environment and good personal health.

We have our own language. If we see shattered glass or a pothole, down waves the hand. If a vehicle is coming, an alert of "car back" is yelled up the line to ride single file. Organized rides have a designated "ridemaster" whose job is to guide, educate and keep cyclists safe.

Even so, a few bicyclists die in this state and hundreds more around the country each year. Many more are injured from car-bike accidents. According to official statistics, there were 50 cycle fatalities on Washington roads from 2003 to 2007. Those numbers may be slight relative to the 2,578 who died in motor vehicle and motorcycle accidents over the same period, or the 343 pedestrians killed in auto-related collisions, but there aren't as many cyclists.

Slapdash motorists aren't always to blame. Sometimes the fault is traced to road conditions, mechanical issues or even the carelessness of the rider.

Some motorists would like laws to restrict cyclists from using roads for which they claim they pay with their tax dollars. That driver ignores that most cyclists are also drivers who share the tax costs of the roads. Our family fuels four vehicles and, with daily van pooling, I log more than 20,000 motor miles a year.

While the majority of motorists are courteous and provide safe distance, most road cyclists have stories of near misses. Last year a motorist lobbed a water bottle within inches of me, then circled back to yell obscenities. While pedaling in rural Pierce County last summer, a vicious dog charged while its owner stood by -- it was all I could do to outrace the beast. I now keep mace handy.

Years ago, my 72-year-old grandfather died from head injuries from a bike spill in West Seattle. It is in remembrance of him and other fallen cyclists that I will join Seattle's Ride of Silence on May 21. This is a national event organized locally three years ago.

In 2005 and 2006, nearly 1,000 riders took to Seattle streets to ride silently in memory and honor of cyclists killed and injured. In a recent article, Seattle ride organizer Gary Strauss wrote the Ride of Silence "builds awareness that cyclists have a legal right to share the roads and acknowledges the tremendous courage it takes for bicyclists to share the road."

The evening Ride of Silence is open to all. The ground rules for participation are simple: Show up and ride at no more than 12 miles per hour. There are no shirts or registration and no fees. You can get more details of the Seattle, Tacoma and other area rides by going to local bicycle club Web sites or bike shops.

We in the bicycling community hope these Rides of Silence will raise public awareness and make our roads a little safer for the thousands of adventuresome and well-meaning cyclists in our communities, for our kids, for our environment and health.

Seattle native Brian Dirks lives in Federal Way and is a recreational cyclist.

“Rules of the Road” for Safe Cycling*

(Mike Gibson and Chris biking through Costa Rica, Jan '07. Photo by Michael Montgomery.)














Below I am repeating something straight from the R of S web site. But it beares repeating. And note the source. (Three days and counting!)
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"RULES OF THE ROAD" FOR SAFE CYCLING*

1. Always Wear A Helmet A helmet will not prevent a bike crash but it is good, cheap insurance that may allow you to walk away from one. Make sure your helmet fits and is adjusted properly.





2. Follow The Rules Of The Road Obeying the same traffic laws that apply to motorists allows safe and efficient travel for all. Cyclists who make up their own rules are in great danger.





3. Ride On The Right With Other Traffic Some people were taught to ride on the wrong side of the road so they can “see traffic coming”. This is dangerous and it is illegal in all 50 states. Pedestrians walk facing traffic so they can sidestep off the road, if necessary. But you cannot sidestep on a bike. The accident rate for wrong-way cyclists is 3.6 times as high as for cycling the "right" way. Other drivers look for traffic coming from the usual direction. They usually are not looking for wrong way traffic.





4. Be Visible! Other drivers will not hit you IF they can see you. Bright clothes make you easier to spot in the daytime but they are useless at night. Riding without lights in the dark is a very dangerous mistake. About thirty percent of cycling crashes occur at night although only about four percent of cycling is done then. The reflectors that come with new bikes are grossly inadequate for nighttime safety. Always use a headlight and taillight when you ride in the dark.





5. Learn Proper Lane Position Beginners usually “hug the curb” and then wonder why cars pass so close. Experienced cyclists let traffic pass when they can but they “take the lane” when needed for safety. If cars are passing you too close, move a bit left to signal to passing drivers that they must use another lane to pass. If you collect a string of cars behind you, try to find a safe way to let them pass. It takes practice to learn to ride effectively in traffic.





6. Be Predictable Ride a good, straight “line”, signal turns and generally look like you know what you are doing. How can you expect other drivers to avoid you if they cannot tell where you are going?





7. Be Courteous Act like an adult and share the road with other drivers. If others act like jerks, keep your temper -- don't descend to their level.





8. Keep Your Bike In Safe Condition Give your bike an occasional tune up. Before hopping on your bike, give it a quick check, making sure that wheels are tight and properly inflated and squeeze the brakes hard to see that they work and that cables are not about to snap.





9. Learn From Experienced Cyclists Experience can be a harsh teacher and it is a slow one. It takes at least 10,000 miles of cycling in traffic to become confident if you try to learn on your own. Joining a good cycling club is an effective way to learn the ins-and-outs of safe cycling.





*Courtesy of the Mountain State Wheelers Bicycle Club, West Virginia’s largest bicycle club (with slight modifications by the RoS webmaster).

HAVE YOU CALLED THE POLICE?

Have you called the police?

Really, have you called and invited the local police departments in your area to take part in The Ride Of Silence?

Most two-wheeled divisions are thrilled to be asked and take part in such rides. It gives them exposure, AND…it gives the ride credibility and a certain level of assurance. Plus, it’s more people on bikes for your ride.

The print and TV media especially like capturing officers on bikes. Again, it works both ways: both get exposure.

Consider calling the cops. I think you’ll be surprised when they say “yes.”

It should go without saying, but I’ll say it anyway…
This is the time to contact the media (TV and newspapers, local and national) to bring attention to your ride. Type in the station into your search engine and get to the station’s web site. Then go to “contact us.” Be sure to give them the following:

World-wide, one day, one time
Date, time, location of your ride
The R of S web site to cross reference your ride
Purpose of the ride
Your name and contact information

They may or may not get in touch. You never know. But at least you’ll be prepared.

Less than a week to go!

GO!!

(The above picture was taken in 2004, the second year for the Dallas Ride Of Silence. Two-thousand cyclists attended. It was the first year the ride went beyond Dallas. Fifty locations from Hawaii to Montreal took part that year. As nothing was planned for an ending, what you see above was the first time the cyclists lined up, forming a hallway of bikes on their own, and waited for the last cyclist to finish. It was EXTREMELY touching.)

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NOT!

April 28, 2008, 8 PM

NOT!

(I have a ton of things to get done. I bet I’m two weeks behind on everything. But The Ride Of Silence rolls on. It’s coming whether I’m ready or not.)

As of today, there are 163 Ride Of Silence locations in the world, with only 10 U.S. states not reporting a site (Utah, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Vermont, New Hampshire, Mississippi, and Arkansas). That’s good. …so far.

Yes, I’m happy about the locations so far. But, my psyche pulls at me. “Why are there 10 states that do NOT have rides?” Alaska I could understand. But even they are in. (Thank you Alaska!) But these 10 are part of the “Lower Forty-Eight?” Why?

I am struck year after year why our ride is so strong in some places and not in others. Austin, Texas, four hours away in the state where the ride started, the home of Lance Armstrong, biking Mecca for many, struggles every year. There have been years when there was NOT a Ride Of Silence there, while last year there were 300 other sites that were successful. Go figure. I shake my head.

Tami, this year’s organizer tells me, “We have done a Ride of Silence in Austin in the past, but with not a huge turnout – I am told. A few of us are trying to get the message out this year for a great turnout. A couple of my friends met this weekend and were up met with some road blocks.” Why? Road blocks? Really! The doors should fly open for the city to host the ride. FLY OPEN. Geez. I don’t get it.

This year Louisville, Kentucky is throwing in the towel. The organizer says the local cycling community doesn’t support the ride, doesn’t come out for the ride. I am shocked. Why? How can it NOT?

What we ride for affects all of us. You can NOT come up with a demographic the bumper of a motorist doesn’t avoid. The bumper doesn’t care who you ride for, or what’s on your jersey. Blood and life seeps through them equally. Your bike jersey will hold a dead body as well as a live one, and in most cases without you having a choice.

Upset? How can you look at The Ride Of Silence Memorial Page and NOT be. Did you read the Bicycling Magazine article on the damage being done on the roads? It was one of the most profound bike articles I have ever read. It was stupefying in its list of those hit, and killed, where the motorist walked. How can one NOT be upset when someone passes up the chance to light a candle, to assemble peacefully, and stand in silent defiance? How can someone be that callous, preoccupied, or worse, ignorant? NOT.

The above picture was taken before I arrived at the back of the pack the second year our ride was held. This is the end of the 2004 Ride Of Silence. There was about 2,000 that year. That year was the first year it went outside of Dallas, TX. That year at least 50 locations from Hawaii to Montreal talked me into organizing the ride beyond my own city. It was then I began to gain insight into and an appreciation for, The Ride Of Silence, and just how many of you are out there with no closure after losing a loved one who was innocently riding his or her bike. How could I NOT help organize the largest single day free event of the world?

Some days, it just doesn’t matter how busy you are. You just can NOT say, “NOT.”

Go get'em!

c

Buttons of Hope

On May 21st at 7 pm, thousands of cyclists across the globe will participate in a rolling tribute to fellow cyclists who have been killed or injured pursuing their passion.

Started in 2003 to honor and remember Larry Schwartz (above) who was killed while cycling on May 4 2003, the Ride of Silence (learn more here) has grown to over 300 sites worldwide and has become the preeminent testament to cycling awareness and safety.

Michael Gibbons is a Ride of Silence organizer [Charlotte NC] and founder of Buttons of Hope. He is proud to partner with the Ride of Silence to provide custom photo buttons to wear in honor of fellow cyclists.

You can upload a digital photo and add your custom text on the Buttons of Hope website [it can be ordered by clicking here]. There are NO minimums (you can make and order a single button) and 20% of all proceeds are donated to the Ride of Silence to advance their mission! (We can also post a button image in the Ride of Silence gallery alongside Larry's so other people can order the button). Orders by regular delivery must be placed by May 12! (FedEx available at cost) Questions?? Please email or phone Michael below.

We are honored to be working with The Ride of Silence to help put a face on this cause ~ let the photo buttons speak as together we LET THE SILENCE ROAR!

Please feel free to forward this information to area bike clubs and individuals interested in Ride of Silence.

Phone: 704.341.1954PO BOX 470246 • Charlotte NC 28247
Buttons of Hope [michael@buttonsofhope.com]

TRULY INTERNATIONAL

APRIL 11, 2008
Link to French Logo – The Start of Inclusion

Thanks to Alain Couët of Quebec, Canada, who started getting us to ask about our/your logo for The Ride Of Silence, we are now sporting the logo in different languages.
Personally, I think the time has come.
Last year The Ride was on every continent in our world. EVERY CONTINENT!! Unbelievable, given our meager beginnings. This has become an event that refuses to be contained.
That’s a good thing. The more people on our street, in our neighborhood, city, state, country, and world that hear and know about this one-time year, only event of its kind, the safer we, others, and even motorists will be.
Here’s to different languages.

Here's a link to it:
http://www.rideofsilence.org/documents/French-RoS-logo.pdf

c

THE THIRD WEDNESDAY IN MAY, every May, every year

March 23, 2008
People are organizing, sending in their ride information, and getting their location represented on our map.
Just minutes ago, I received this email from Antarctica:


Hello Chris!
You can plan on another Antarctica ride this year. I hope the new gym bike arrives in time. The Lifecycle died and was shipped off station. Palmer now has just one spin bike. At any rate – Palmer will ride on with all ROS!
Cheers,
Maggie


If that’s not inspiring…

That’s was a good email to get after one stating a location declared they couldn’t ride this year because they didn’t know when it was (!!!?), and now, there was not enough time left.

Heads up:
First,
the ride takes place on the 3rd Wednesday in May each year, meaning you can plot out and plan now for the date come the year 2025.
Secondly,
The first Ride Of Silence was organized in 10 days. From start to finish. Ten. One thousand came. For the second ride, I took more time, about four weeks. About 1500 attended. Most FIRST TIME sites this year will put together a sizable ride in less than that.
With no money to change hands, having a short distance ride as part of a national and world wide campaign shouldn’t be hard to have three people show up at a spot, and ride for eight miles in silence. If you have to “organize” six months out, I feel for you. You have my sympathies.

One day. One time. World wide.
The Ride Of Silence
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Public Service Announcement video

Feb 22, 2008

I remember being extremely impressed with the YouTube videos of the different Ride of Silence events. I was sincerely touched. But they also depressed me because the orginal and largest of the rides didn’t have a video.

How could that be? With 3,000 cyclists amassed in quiet memorial, the Dallas ride should be up there also, so others could glimpse what it was like at ground zero.

That’s where friend MICHAEL FRIEDOFF came in. He had been filming it over the years but very few had seen his clips. Once contacted, he put this 30 second PSA together to be aired anywhere and everywhere. The link is above and contained here also:

http://www.rideofsilence.org/ROS_2008_PSA

Alas, I still have the same dilemma I started with because it’s still not on YouTube. (I need to learn how to get on it on there before the MAY 21 date of our ride together.)

Please spread this around. It is my hope one day to get the attention of one of the national news organizations so they will help spread the word, as well as the realization of what is happening on the roads. Maybe this PSA will help.

I am continually amazed at how each person adds to this world wide, free event, raising the bar each time. Each person makes a single contribution to this picture we are all painting, and in the end, everyone will benefit. Thank you, one and all.

Stay active.



c

Let the Silence roar

Good morning.

Thanks for being on board with us, The Ride Of Silence, and for being willing to organize a ride or take part in a ride in your community.

Cyclists everywhere, including myself, applaud your effort at being part of this mass demonstration that has exceeded state, national, and cultural boundaries, to raise awareness of cyclists’ legal right to the road and motorists’ legal obligation to share the road.

Nothing like this has ever happened before. No event, short of Christmas, has traveled throughout the globe to take place on a single day, at a single time.

And there is the meat of it, the power of what we do when we take part in the R of S; getting as many people on bikes as possible, at the same time that have the same voice, communicating through peaceful assembly.

With over 200 locations in the US alone, it is becoming harder and harder for the motoring public to ignore us. And that's the point. When news reports show more than the customary 3-4 cyclists the local community is used to seeing on the road and report that there over 300 locations WORLD WIDE going on the same day, it is the hope and faith the our society will sit up and take notice, not only of those riding, but also those either no longer able, or those no longer with us to ride because a motorist-on-cyclist accident.

Nationally, this is akin to our Memorial Day, but without the bar-b-que sales. It's important to us that all the locations ride at the same time to make the above points. Fractured with events at several times during the month, or worse, year, is not in any of our best interests. The event loses its focus, and intent.

Our event is held on the 3rd Wednesday of May. Every calendar has that date. (For 2009, it will be May 20. Mark your calendar now.)

I can appreciate people wanting to simplify their calendar. But,...it's not about convenience. We have this one hour the entire year to show the public our strength in numbers, what we look like when we actually get together, those older, slower, faster, or leaner, with mountain bikes, racing bikes, kid bikes, etc. We have had 3,000 here in Dallas at the Ride Of Silence. That gets news coverage.

And, just in case the powers that be are concerned this is about profits or money, this event is also the largest free volunteer run event without cash flow, no budget. And that’s world wide.

Please understand the importance of being part of something that is going on in New York, Miami, Chicago, St. George, and Los Angeles; and Japan, Australia, Crete, England, Mexico, Argentina, Canada, and Antarctica; as well as Greenville, SC; Fitchburg, Mass; Denton, TX; Golden, CO; and Corvallis, OR. It's one.

One hour, on one day.

Stay active.

Chris Phelan, Founder

The Ride Of Silence

May 21, 2008, 7 PM

World wide

"Let the silence roar."

www.rideofsilence.org