Zakkalicious posts about Fear Mongering among some American cyclists. I think it was Bike Lane Hottie who wrote that cycling advocates continually gripe about how dangerous cycling is, and then wonder why nobody wants to ride a bike. Cycle Dog and I occasionally discuss this topic of ineffective advocacy over email.

Enjoy the ride and quick worrying so much about the traffic. They’re not gonna hit you, and if they do it only hurts a little.

David R. Ragland, P.D., is the director of the UC Berkeley Traffic Safety Center and teaches traffic safety planning and injury courses in the UC Berkeley Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the School of Public Health. The San Francisco Chronicle posted his essay on improving cyclist safety in their Opinion section.

If we are going to encourage cycling and walking (and taking transit) for the “greater good,” we must be sure we know the effect of our policies. We need to make sure that our efforts to encourage people to do the right thing don’t place them in harm’s way.

Ragland also, surprisingly, advocates for centerline rumble strips. In the past, cycling advocacy groups typically lobby against such strips, because they discourage drivers from crossing the centerline when passing cyclists.

The Chron also published an opinion piece by S.F. Bike Coalition Executive Director Leah Shahum:

In the wake of the tragic deaths of two cyclists in Cupertino, I am startled by a looming prejudice against those who choose to ride bikes, particularly in the media.

Though it is clear that these cyclists were not at fault when they were killed by a deputy sheriff veering across the road, what has surfaced is an inexcusable “blame the victim” sentiment.

We have seen articles about which streets are “most dangerous” for bicyclists, stories about how often cyclists are deemed at fault by police in collisions, and reports of bad cyclist behavior.

The Cupertino tragedy has been portrayed as a “bicycle safety” story, instead of what it really is, a story about the risks of dangerous driving. If that deputy had veered across the road into an oncoming VW Beetle or Mazda Miata instead of a line of cyclists, the occupants of that car would likely be seriously injured or dead, as would the driver himself.

Read more.

It’s for motorcyclists, not bicyclists, but I can kind of see how something like this might work for bicyclists.

The video demonstrates the Dainese D Air racing air bag system, which is designed for use in Dainese motorcycle racing suits. Bicyclists don’t tend to wear much protective gear — we’re usually much slower than motorcycle racers and heat can be a problem — but this product brings some possibilities to mind.

Hat tip to Sue for this.

Take this test of your awareness skills, then come back for discussion. Spoilers/hints are below so take the test first before you read any further!

A couple of people already mentioned this test in comments elsewhere, and I posted it to CommuteByBike yesterday. I passed the test and saw that “surprise ending”, but I knew what to look for because I was familiar with the UIUC perception study from a few years ago that Sue mentioned.

If you hit another car in traffic, it’s probably just another fender bender. If you hit a cyclist, you might cause a death or serious injury. Austin Murphy pleads with motorists to “Open your eyes!” in his Sports Illustrated column.

I was at the far right edge of the road. The car didn’t stop. I overtook it, and was attempting to open the passenger door at approximately 15 mph when a very distraught woman rolled down the window and tearfully explained that she was just coming from visiting her husband in the hospital, and that she “didn’t even see me.”

I thought to myself: I’m rocking electric blue Lycra shorts and an orange jersey, not because I’m color blind, but because I want cars to see me! How could she miss me?

Nearly every cyclist in America has similar stories. We beseech you: Start seeing bicycles.

I live in a part of the country where traffic is expected to increase 250 percent in the next 20 years. We live on a planet whose addiction to fossil fuels has created problems that might be alleviated if people rode their bikes more often.

Bicycles are part of the solution. Start seeing bicycles.

Read more. For Yehuda Moon, click on the comic to see large.