It is possible to manage the risks of driving bicycles on high-speed expressways. In Oklahoma, it is also legal, unless there's a sign posted prohibiting bicycles. I usually drive on the Broken Arrow Expressway to go Downtown, or eastbound to Coweta.
Even though bicycles are allowed to take a lane legally, I usually roll on the shoulder. On-ramps are not much of a problem to cross, when going straight. Motorists getting on the expressway are looking for trouble before mixing in with the traffic. So, what's another bicycle crossing the on-ramp. All you have to do is check your rear-view mirror first. Flip a final look-see off your right shoulder for safe gaps, and cross.
It's the off-ramps that need some attention to details:
1) Anticipate off-ramps at least a quarter-mile out;
2) On the approach, stick your left arm out to slow traffic;
3) Check rear view mirror for safe gaps, before making the cross.
4) Give a thumbs-up and a wave-out to the motorists exiting behind you.
Exit ramps have speed limits. It's your job to encourage motorists to obey the law by slowing them down. When the exit ramp has two lanes, get into the right lane and cross. Works great every time.
Support our advertisers!
Your donation through PayPal below will keep the Share The Road signs on the prime Bike Billboard spot.
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Tulsa Bike Pool
Bike pools are an online forum where bicycle drivers meet others who are going the same place at the same time. The idea is to share commutes, break the wind, and provide mutual protection. Kewl.
Support our advertisers!
Your donation through PayPal below will keep the Share The Road signs on the prime Bike Billboard spot.
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
Support our advertisers!
Your donation through PayPal below will keep the Share The Road signs on the prime Bike Billboard spot.
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
Monday, April 28, 2008
Beyond Critical Mass: More Cops Gone WILD
Published April 28, 2008 by The Oregonian
By STEPHEN BEAVEN
By late last week, six bright green bike boxes were installed, and eight more are on the way. But the biggest changes in Portland's efforts to make cyclists safer are far less obvious.
The Portland Police Bureau changed its policies for investigating crashes involving cyclists and appointed a liaison officer to work with the cycling community. The city, meanwhile, is retrofitting its truck fleet with "bike guards" to protect riders. It also invited cyclists and truckers to meet and mingle on Southeast Clinton Street during the evening commute on Tuesday.
Although the bike boxes and other safety measures were on the drawing board for some time, those efforts took on a new urgency in recent months following the deaths of two cyclists in high-profile crashes in October.
Now the city and the cycling community are working more closely to put new policies and equipment in place to make bike lanes and intersections safer for two-wheeled commuters.
"Those two deaths were a catalyst for positive change," said Mark Ginsberg, an attorney who is chairman of the city's bicycle advisory committee. "It has definitely accelerated."
Capt. Larry O'Dea, who heads the Police Bureau's traffic division, plans to meet with attorneys, judges and cycling advocates in May to better understand language in several bike-related state laws. The bureau has appointed an officer who used to be a bike messenger as a liaison to the cycling community.
O'Dea also has begun talking with members of the Bicycle Transportation Alliance and regularly attending bicycle advisory committee meetings.
"In being at all these meetings, I'm getting very strong feedback from the bicycle community," O'Dea said. "They want a good relationship with the Police Bureau."
Perhaps the biggest change at the bureau came in February when Chief Rosie Sizer issued an executive order that changed the policy for investigating crashes involving cyclists, as well as pedestrians, skateboarders and others defined as "vulnerable road users."
Before, there was no separate standard for crashes involving such users. Investigations were mandatory only if there were serious or life-threatening injuries.
Now any collision in which a cyclist is taken to a hospital by an ambulance is investigated. The traffic division investigated nine such crashes involving cyclists last month, compared with five in March 2007, O'Dea said.
Ginsberg credits the bureau for building a better relationship with cyclists, adding that it was especially helpful for officers to hand out educational brochures instead of tickets when the bike boxes were initially installed.
But he'd still like to see the bureau pursue reckless and careless drivers more aggressively, even if cyclists aren't injured. O'Dea said he has already asked the Bicycle Transportation Alliance for help in determining where the bureau should focus its efforts.
Cyclist Tim Calvert said he's glad the city is listening to the cycling community and taking even incremental steps to make the streets safer.
The bike boxes are an especially vivid reminder of the changes Portland has undertaken in recent months.
"I think anytime bicycling is elevated on the street level to a more equal status with cars," Calvert said, "it helps both the drivers and cyclists acknowledge that they're both commuters, and they're both trying to get to work safely."
Stephen Beaven: 503-294-7663; stevebeaven@news.oregonian.com
Support our advertisers!
Your donation through PayPal below will keep the Share The Road signs on the prime Bike Billboard spot.
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
By STEPHEN BEAVEN
By late last week, six bright green bike boxes were installed, and eight more are on the way. But the biggest changes in Portland's efforts to make cyclists safer are far less obvious.
The Portland Police Bureau changed its policies for investigating crashes involving cyclists and appointed a liaison officer to work with the cycling community. The city, meanwhile, is retrofitting its truck fleet with "bike guards" to protect riders. It also invited cyclists and truckers to meet and mingle on Southeast Clinton Street during the evening commute on Tuesday.
Although the bike boxes and other safety measures were on the drawing board for some time, those efforts took on a new urgency in recent months following the deaths of two cyclists in high-profile crashes in October.
Now the city and the cycling community are working more closely to put new policies and equipment in place to make bike lanes and intersections safer for two-wheeled commuters.
"Those two deaths were a catalyst for positive change," said Mark Ginsberg, an attorney who is chairman of the city's bicycle advisory committee. "It has definitely accelerated."
Capt. Larry O'Dea, who heads the Police Bureau's traffic division, plans to meet with attorneys, judges and cycling advocates in May to better understand language in several bike-related state laws. The bureau has appointed an officer who used to be a bike messenger as a liaison to the cycling community.
O'Dea also has begun talking with members of the Bicycle Transportation Alliance and regularly attending bicycle advisory committee meetings.
"In being at all these meetings, I'm getting very strong feedback from the bicycle community," O'Dea said. "They want a good relationship with the Police Bureau."
Perhaps the biggest change at the bureau came in February when Chief Rosie Sizer issued an executive order that changed the policy for investigating crashes involving cyclists, as well as pedestrians, skateboarders and others defined as "vulnerable road users."
Before, there was no separate standard for crashes involving such users. Investigations were mandatory only if there were serious or life-threatening injuries.
Now any collision in which a cyclist is taken to a hospital by an ambulance is investigated. The traffic division investigated nine such crashes involving cyclists last month, compared with five in March 2007, O'Dea said.
Ginsberg credits the bureau for building a better relationship with cyclists, adding that it was especially helpful for officers to hand out educational brochures instead of tickets when the bike boxes were initially installed.
But he'd still like to see the bureau pursue reckless and careless drivers more aggressively, even if cyclists aren't injured. O'Dea said he has already asked the Bicycle Transportation Alliance for help in determining where the bureau should focus its efforts.
Cyclist Tim Calvert said he's glad the city is listening to the cycling community and taking even incremental steps to make the streets safer.
The bike boxes are an especially vivid reminder of the changes Portland has undertaken in recent months.
"I think anytime bicycling is elevated on the street level to a more equal status with cars," Calvert said, "it helps both the drivers and cyclists acknowledge that they're both commuters, and they're both trying to get to work safely."
Stephen Beaven: 503-294-7663; stevebeaven@news.oregonian.com
Support our advertisers!
Your donation through PayPal below will keep the Share The Road signs on the prime Bike Billboard spot.
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Habitat for the Homeless
Bike billboards also serve as basic shelter, transportation, and income for the homeless. Enclosed on all sides by coroplast is a very nice, fairly warm, and dry portable sleeping space.
Look for HftH at the Living Arts ArtCar Weekend, 15-18 May.
Your donation through PayPal below will keep the Share The Road signs on the prime Bike Billboard spot.
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Advertiser Spotlight: Tech Support From Hell
Support our advertisers!
Your donation through PayPal below will keep the Share The Road signs on the prime Bike Billboard spot.
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
Advertiser Spotlight: HOT OILY 4 HAND MASSAGE
Support our advertisers!
Your donation through PayPal below will keep the Share The Road signs on the prime Bike Billboard spot.
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
Oklahoma Bike Action Day
Oklahoma Bike Action Day occurs the second Monday in February of every year. Concerned bicycle drivers from across the State gather at the State Sausage Factory to meet with their State sausage makers and educate them on relevant bicycle issues. Hopefully, the resulting sausages will taste BETTER.
The first annual OK BAD is set for 9 February 2009.
Support our advertisers!
Your donation through PayPal below will keep the Share The Road signs on the prime Bike Billboard spot.
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
The first annual OK BAD is set for 9 February 2009.
Support our advertisers!
Your donation through PayPal below will keep the Share The Road signs on the prime Bike Billboard spot.
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
Product Spotlight: Up With Bikes! T-Shirt
Buy it here.
Support our advertisers!
Your donation through PayPal below will keep the Share The Road signs on the prime Bike Billboard spot.
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
Friday, April 18, 2008
One Day. One Million Bikes
On 8 August 2009, one MILLION bicyclists will take to the roads of America, Woodstock on two-wheels. If you are a bike blogger, post the banner on your site. Stay tune for more.
Support our advertisers!
Your donation through PayPal below will keep the Share The Road signs on the prime Bike Billboard spot.
Support our advertisers!
Your donation through PayPal below will keep the Share The Road signs on the prime Bike Billboard spot.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
The Official Bike Billboard T-Shirt!
Unless our clients want us to wear their uniforms, our BB drivers wear this T-shirt to make some extra cash. It has been thoroughly tested. Guaranteed to work, or your money back! Limitations apply. E-mail bikebillboards AT yahoo dot com for details. Buy it here, NOW!
Support our advertisers!
Your donation through PayPal below will keep the Share The Road signs on the prime Bike Billboard spot.
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Have Bike. Will Travel.
One of the most important part of bike billboards is the driver. He has to know how to take your advertising message, BOLDLY where NO other ads have gone before. In front of motorists during rush on America's most busiest streets and highways. In front of motorists stuck in traffic. In front of your potential customers on busy beach boardwalks.
All you need to do is tell us what kind of campaign you need. Send your requests to bikebillboards AT yahoo dot com.
Support our advertisers!
Your donation through PayPal below will keep the Share The Road signs on the prime Bike Billboard spot.
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
All you need to do is tell us what kind of campaign you need. Send your requests to bikebillboards AT yahoo dot com.
Support our advertisers!
Your donation through PayPal below will keep the Share The Road signs on the prime Bike Billboard spot.
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
