Need talking point help-- bike safety

Hiya folks,
If you knew you were going to be interviewed for a TV news spot, and you knew from talking to the reporter that the piece was on the waves of new cyclists hitting the streets in teh warm weather, and you knew that you were being approached specifically for something safety-related, what points would you want to make sure you got out there?

Looking to generate a list and pare it down, thanks.

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Permalink Reply by Craig S. on April 17, 2010 at 6:48am
Learn how to ride in a straight line.
Learn how to hold a line; predictability equals safety.
Actually obey the rules the road.
DO NOT ride with headphones/earphones/earbuds/whatever. (This one is bound to spark some debate)
Don't ride in pace lines on the lakefront.
Ride Right. I don't care how fast you are, there's always someone faster so ride on the righthand side of the path/road/whatever.
Learn how to change a flat.
DO NOT ride with no hands on the Lakefront when it's crowded.
DO NOT yack away on your cell phone while riding with no hands on the Lakefront.
Learn to look 3, 4, 5 bikes in front of you and see what is coming at them, might help you avoid a crash.
Learn when it's safe to pass; I would submit passing at a high rate of speed in crowded areas such as the fountain/theater on the lakefront at Fullerton may not be the best idea.
Keep a sharp eye on the kids on the Lakefront as they're parents are keeping them in control.
Don't wheel suck some rider you don't know. Even then, pace lines on the lakefront are a weak idea.

I could go on and on and on....
Permalink Reply by Craig S. on April 17, 2010 at 7:13am
Who's the reporter and who's the outlet, can you share?

I've worked in live tv in this town for almost two decades and to be in news right now is just awful. All the stations have been purging editorial and technical staff to the huge detriment of daily newscasts and there's really no end in sight to the newsie blood-letting so while I'm glad I'm not in news, my side of the tv world won't be fairing well much longer either.

All you can do is present the information, the reporter/producer is going to frame it how they want regardless. Good luck with this one.
Permalink Reply by Gary Gilbert on April 17, 2010 at 7:17am
30 seconds, be succient and on point.

1. Cyclists: be predictable and visible
2. Drivers: cyclists exist
3. Both: follow the rules of the road and drive/cycle defensively.
4. Both: act with your head, not your emotions; the life you ruin may be your own.
Permalink Reply by T.C. O'Rourke on April 17, 2010 at 8:21am
#1 Tip for new riders: Always ride at least three feet away from parked/stopped cars to avoid being "doored"-- colliding with a suddenly opened car door. This includes the passenger side of cars queued at traffic controls. If there isn't enough space to do so while riding between parked/queued cars, proceed slowly.

#2 Tip for new riders: If there isn't enough room --three feet-- for a car to safely pass you without encroaching the adjacent lane, ride further out in the roadway. This is called "taking the lane" and it will ensure that no motorist will attempt to unsafely squeeze between you and adjacent/oncoming traffic. Remember: any motorist who honks or acts impatiently is the same one who would have passed unsafely.

You are part of traffic and it is safest to ride as such.

Nice work and good luck, Howard.
Permalink Reply by Vondo on April 17, 2010 at 9:28am
I would throw in my $0.02 here and say tip number one for newbies, DON'T RIDE THE OPPOSITE WAY DONW THE STREET!! For some reason most people think its safer to ride against traffic, but more experienced riders know better.
Permalink Reply by Dr. Doom on April 17, 2010 at 10:53am
I'd hit the broader point that even if someone is genuinely uncomfortable riding in traffic and uninterested in learning how, there are still lots of safe options besides the lakefront, most of which can be reached by Metra or CTA so as to make a car-free day of things.

I also don't think it's possible to overemphasize how much more important it is to be seen than it is to wear a helmet for people riding at night, something a lot of casual riders don't seem to realize. This even lends itself to a pithy literal talking point: "Don't be a bike ninja!"
Permalink Reply by Ken Gray on April 17, 2010 at 12:36pm
Advice to drivers out there (I'm one of them too)...learn to see bikes! No one wants to be the driver that kills someone when all they had to do to avoid an accident was SEE the bike rider.
Permalink Reply by Matt AKA Jimbo/BMXican on April 17, 2010 at 2:04pm
I think the right size frame is an over looked issue, especially with these folks riding converted single speeds. A lot of accidents could have been avoided if one was able to jump over their top tubes and catch their footing with out getting racked.

I must agree with every one else that an education is key. Every areas different so I guess there is no define "rules of the road" for bikes. Even riding in the burbs is different from the city. In the city you want to be offensive but in the burbs you must be defensive because people aren't use to bikes in the streets and do dumb things. There for we ride on the side walk in busier areas. I think your best bet is to visit a local bike shop on a slow day. Chances are good that most of them commute so all the directions are covered.
Permalink Reply by Joe TV on April 17, 2010 at 4:14pm
Lots of good comments here. If this is for a TV news spot, chances are that they will pick one or two bites from you - clarity and brevity are key.

Keep it simple.

I'll echo Vando about the wrong way stuff. Plus lights. those are my two pet peeves. hand signals might be good. I think those are pretty basic and probably all that the piece will have time for.

T.C.'s comments are good too - Dooring and taking the lane. I would put that in the second tier.

Also, having a tuned up bike could be emphasized.

Same rules, same roads, same rights is a concept that many still don't get.

I'd recommend taking a show and tell approach as opposed to a talking head style interview, but that may not be a choice you have. Better yet - do both.

then be prepared for approx. 1% of what you said to make the story.
Permalink Reply by Barry Niel Stuart on April 18, 2010 at 9:52am
I agree that motorists and cyclists alike need to learn what" Same Roads, Same Rights, Same Rules" means. Also, we bicyclists don't always get the word out to motorists about sharing the road. Here in Milwaukee, I see TV ads encouraging motorists to look out for motorcycles, but none encouraging them to look out for bicyclists. These ads should say "Look out for all two-wheelers".
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on April 18, 2010 at 10:05am
Well said.

Barry Niel Stuart said:
I agree that motorists and cyclists alike need to learn what" Same Roads, Same Rights, Same Rules" means. Also, we bicyclists don't always get the word out to motorists about sharing the road. Here in Milwaukee, I see TV ads encouraging motorists to look out for motorcycles, but none encouraging them to look out for bicyclists. These ads should say "Look out for all two-wheelers".
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on April 18, 2010 at 10:08am
I think you've all made a lot of good points here. To pare it down to a 20 second sound bite, I'd say something like this:

Ride predictably in the direction of traffic. Stop at red lights. Use lights and reflectors to be visible. Pay attention to other traffic. Use common sense and yield when appropriate. We all need to share the road.

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