Share The Road and traffic safety

The first time I saw a photo of one of these signs (I think it was here), I have to admit I got a little teary.

Here in DC, there are a few "Share the road" signs, and they are worse than useless.

The drivers that I've spoken to(sometimes civilly, sometimes not) at red lights or stuck in traffic simply don't know that I have a right to the lane. The argument goes:
"You know, I have as much right to this lane as you do."
"No you don't. Get off the road."
"Actually, DC law says…"
"No it doesn't, get out of my way"

There will always be jerks in cars, but it would be nice to have a sign to point to show them what the law is.

The first time I saw a photo of one of these signs (I think it was here), I have to admit I got a little teary. Here in DC, there are a few "Share the road" signs, and they are worse than useless. The drivers that I've spoken to(sometimes civilly, sometimes not) at red lights or stuck in traffic simply don't know that I have a right to the lane. The argument goes: "You know, I have as much right to this lane as you do.""No you don't. Get off the road.""Actually, DC law says…""No it doesn't, get out of my way"There will always be jerks in cars, but it would be nice to have a sign to point to show them what the law is.

BMUFL is better in delivering a message that drivers don't seem to get with STR. Adding "It's the Law" with BMUFL may also help.
Jack

BMUFL is better in delivering a message that drivers don't seem to get with STR. Adding "It's the Law" with BMUFL may also help.Jack

BMUFL is better in delivering a message that drivers don't seem to get with STR. Adding "It's the Law" with BMUFL may also help.Jack

STR is worse than inadequate. Shoot, in my state we have signs and even license plates with a seven time Tour winner on them, but I still had a numbnuts constable try to bully me off the road in his squad car.

STR is worse than inadequate. Shoot, in my state we have signs and even license plates with a seven time Tour winner on them, but I still had a numbnuts constable try to bully me off the road in his squad car.

I guess it's hard for me to imagine motorists are clueless enough to misunderstand the meaning of "Share the Road". Do some motorists really think it means bicyclists need to get out of the way of cars? If so, then the "Bikes May Use Full Lane" alternative is definitely better.

I guess it's hard for me to imagine motorists are clueless enough to misunderstand the meaning of "Share the Road". Do some motorists really think it means bicyclists need to get out of the way of cars? If so, then the "Bikes May Use Full Lane" alternative is definitely better.

How about the signs for road construction workers reworded for cyclists?
"Injure/kill a cyclist $7500 + 15 Years"

How about the signs for road construction workers reworded for cyclists?"Injure/kill a cyclist $7500 + 15 Years"

How about the signs for road construction workers reworded for cyclists?"Injure/kill a cyclist $7500 + 15 Years"

Thanks for linking my article! I feel all famous now.

I too like the idea of signage like the one in your article. Too often people just do not understand that there are many cases in which it is legal and safer for a cyclist to control an entire lane of traffic. Signs would be great.

However, I can attest to the fact that oftentimes signs of the share the road sort are ignored by motorists. I can't tell you how many times I was shouted at while on a marked bike route on a particular road in my home state.

Alas, I still believe that motorist education can go a long way whether it is the Portland style program or simply signage.

Thanks for linking my article! I feel all famous now.I too like the idea of signage like the one in your article. Too often people just do not understand that there are many cases in which it is legal and safer for a cyclist to control an entire lane of traffic. Signs would be great. However, I can attest to the fact that oftentimes signs of the share the road sort are ignored by motorists. I can't tell you how many times I was shouted at while on a marked bike route on a particular road in my home state.Alas, I still believe that motorist education can go a long way whether it is the Portland style program or simply signage.

Thanks for linking my article! I feel all famous now.I too like the idea of signage like the one in your article. Too often people just do not understand that there are many cases in which it is legal and safer for a cyclist to control an entire lane of traffic. Signs would be great. However, I can attest to the fact that oftentimes signs of the share the road sort are ignored by motorists. I can't tell you how many times I was shouted at while on a marked bike route on a particular road in my home state.Alas, I still believe that motorist education can go a long way whether it is the Portland style program or simply signage.

Colin,

I have had similar encounters in the past. One such incident occurred like this:

A friend and I rode two abreast in a lane that was too narrow to share and had a speed limit of 20mph. This was a road with two lanes in each direction

A man passed on the left and gave us a beep of the horn and proceeded to berate (maybe too strong of a word) me for not sharing the road.

I recognized him as a local talk radio host and publisher of the town's local magazine and called him by name.

I politely told him that I had the right to do what I was doing and that I would write him an email about it.

Subsequently, I was invited to be a guest on his radio show to discuss the concept of taking the lane.

He welcomed the comments I made with open arms and became one of the biggest advocates for cyclists taking the lane.

It helped that 1) I was a LAB Cycling Instructor and that 2) I worked for the local active transportation alliance. So I had some credibility.

I felt like going on his show did more for the community that anything else I had done to that point. Not be cause I imparted so much knowledge on the public, but rather, this well-known guy was spouting vehicular cycling all over the air waves every chance he got.

I have had many other conflicts with motorists that didn't turn out that cheerful though. Just keep an open mind when dealing with the "cagers."

Colin,I have had similar encounters in the past. One such incident occurred like this:A friend and I rode two abreast in a lane that was too narrow to share and had a speed limit of 20mph. This was a road with two lanes in each directionA man passed on the left and gave us a beep of the horn and proceeded to berate (maybe too strong of a word) me for not sharing the road.I recognized him as a local talk radio host and publisher of the town's local magazine and called him by name.I politely told him that I had the right to do what I was doing and that I would write him an email about it. Subsequently, I was invited to be a guest on his radio show to discuss the concept of taking the lane. He welcomed the comments I made with open arms and became one of the biggest advocates for cyclists taking the lane. It helped that 1) I was a LAB Cycling Instructor and that 2) I worked for the local active transportation alliance. So I had some credibility. I felt like going on his show did more for the community that anything else I had done to that point. Not be cause I imparted so much knowledge on the public, but rather, this well-known guy was spouting vehicular cycling all over the air waves every chance he got. I have had many other conflicts with motorists that didn't turn out that cheerful though. Just keep an open mind when dealing with the "cagers."

Colin,I have had similar encounters in the past. One such incident occurred like this:A friend and I rode two abreast in a lane that was too narrow to share and had a speed limit of 20mph. This was a road with two lanes in each directionA man passed on the left and gave us a beep of the horn and proceeded to berate (maybe too strong of a word) me for not sharing the road.I recognized him as a local talk radio host and publisher of the town's local magazine and called him by name.I politely told him that I had the right to do what I was doing and that I would write him an email about it. Subsequently, I was invited to be a guest on his radio show to discuss the concept of taking the lane. He welcomed the comments I made with open arms and became one of the biggest advocates for cyclists taking the lane. It helped that 1) I was a LAB Cycling Instructor and that 2) I worked for the local active transportation alliance. So I had some credibility. I felt like going on his show did more for the community that anything else I had done to that point. Not be cause I imparted so much knowledge on the public, but rather, this well-known guy was spouting vehicular cycling all over the air waves every chance he got. I have had many other conflicts with motorists that didn't turn out that cheerful though. Just keep an open mind when dealing with the "cagers."

I love that sign “Bikes May Use Full Lane” with a pictorial vs “Share the Road”.  Most people do not know the rights of bicyclist nor even look for them.  We encounter the same problem with motorcyclist, especially at intersections, where most accidents/motorcyclist deaths occur. Like your emphasis on bikes, our traffic school in Reno, NV http://www.trafficschoolnv.com covers an entire section just on “Seeing the Invisible Motorcycle”, based on our founder’s e-book:  www.invisiblemotorcycle.com.  Based on your blog, I will be looking into incorporating the Bikes May Use Full Lane signs into our traffic school and Nevada legislation.  We have a large population of bicyclists in Reno/Tahoe area that could benefit greatly by this signage.  I would appreciate any references you may have to promote this cause here in Reno:  email:  trafficschoolnv@gmail.com.  Thank you, Diane

The “SMIDSY” (Sorry Mate I Didn’T See You) crash is something motorcyclists and bicyclists have in common, so giving driving instruction that emphasizes watching for the unexpected benefits all of us.

Bikes May Use Full Lane signs are now in the  the Federal standards for highways signs, which Nevada has adopted.