Comments on: “Share the Road”: Is this a positive message for bicycling? http://blog.getdowntown.org/2008/02/22/share-the-road-is-this-a-positive-message-for-bicycling/ a blog about commuting to downtown Ann Arbor and all things therein Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:26:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1-alpha By: Bike Ped Coordinator http://blog.getdowntown.org/2008/02/22/share-the-road-is-this-a-positive-message-for-bicycling/comment-page-1/#comment-1337 Bike Ped Coordinator Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:18:24 +0000 http://blog.getdowntown.org/2008/02/22/share-the-road-is-this-a-positive-message-for-bicycling/#comment-1337 While the main premise of this has merit (i.e. do STR signs actually accomplish anything?) there are some amazingly flawed statements and arguments. People drive cars (in general) not because of ads, but out of virtual neccessity. Our communities are often built in such a way that a car is the only viable option. When I take the family someplace we have to go in a car typically. When my wife has to go to her work appointments a bike is simply is not an option (even though she is a cyclist). The bottom line is bikes are not always practical for many of the trips we take by neccessity. As for bike ads, the cost of ads in various non-cycling media are going to be very expensive and provide little return. Marketing must be targeted. The vast majority drive cars, so virtually any media outlet will have a target audience of some shape or another. Even then the vehicle being pitched is consistent with the viewing/reading audience. I could go on, but if people think a marketing campaign is going to have a major impact on mode split then we are barking up the wrong tree. The issue is FAR more complex than that. While the main premise of this has merit (i.e. do STR signs actually accomplish anything?) there are some amazingly flawed statements and arguments. People drive cars (in general) not because of ads, but out of virtual neccessity. Our communities are often built in such a way that a car is the only viable option. When I take the family someplace we have to go in a car typically. When my wife has to go to her work appointments a bike is simply is not an option (even though she is a cyclist). The bottom line is bikes are not always practical for many of the trips we take by neccessity.

As for bike ads, the cost of ads in various non-cycling media are going to be very expensive and provide little return. Marketing must be targeted. The vast majority drive cars, so virtually any media outlet will have a target audience of some shape or another. Even then the vehicle being pitched is consistent with the viewing/reading audience. I could go on, but if people think a marketing campaign is going to have a major impact on mode split then we are barking up the wrong tree. The issue is FAR more complex than that.

]]> By: HD http://blog.getdowntown.org/2008/02/22/share-the-road-is-this-a-positive-message-for-bicycling/comment-page-1/#comment-766 HD Fri, 22 Feb 2008 23:43:00 +0000 http://blog.getdowntown.org/2008/02/22/share-the-road-is-this-a-positive-message-for-bicycling/#comment-766 Much of the discussion in that email focuses on how the interpretation of the phrase "share the road" is affected by embedding it in a yellow diamond sign. So what happens if we embed the same message in a <a href="http://homelessdave.com/images/booksbychancetrailer.jpg" rel="nofollow">different kind of sign</a>, like this one: http://homelessdave.com/images/booksbychancetrailer.jpg I've made two trips with the trailer since having the sign made (DIY Decals did the work). Compared to the previous 50 trips, I haven't noticed any dramatic difference in motorist behavior towards me. Unless you think this is dramatic: I'm standing in the bike lane heading west on Liberty trying to turn left on Eberwhite. An SUV with a whole line of cars behind it, also heading west, stops behind me and puts on her turn signal. Eye contact says, Hey cyclist you go now. I went. Then, safely onto Eberwhite, I noticed that she did not turn, but continued west on Liberty. She apparently just figured she'd make my day by giving me a little help turning left. Much of the discussion in that email focuses on how the interpretation of the phrase “share the road” is affected by embedding it in a yellow diamond sign.

So what happens if we embed the same message in a different kind of sign, like this one: http://homelessdave.com/images/booksbychancetrailer.jpg

I’ve made two trips with the trailer since having the sign made (DIY Decals did the work). Compared to the previous 50 trips, I haven’t noticed any dramatic difference in motorist behavior towards me. Unless you think this is dramatic:

I’m standing in the bike lane heading west on Liberty trying to turn left on Eberwhite. An SUV with a whole line of cars behind it, also heading west, stops behind me and puts on her turn signal. Eye contact says, Hey cyclist you go now. I went. Then, safely onto Eberwhite, I noticed that she did not turn, but continued west on Liberty. She apparently just figured she’d make my day by giving me a little help turning left.

]]> By: Share the road? - Cult of the Bicycle http://blog.getdowntown.org/2008/02/22/share-the-road-is-this-a-positive-message-for-bicycling/comment-page-1/#comment-763 Share the road? - Cult of the Bicycle Fri, 22 Feb 2008 19:06:10 +0000 http://blog.getdowntown.org/2008/02/22/share-the-road-is-this-a-positive-message-for-bicycling/#comment-763 [...] looked lonely). But I found a lot of “Share the Road” material. You can read the entire article here. Finally, Patty notices that most "bike promotion" advertising are safety lessons instead [...] [...] looked lonely). But I found a lot of “Share the Road” material. You can read the entire article here. Finally, Patty notices that most "bike promotion" advertising are safety lessons instead [...]

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