Cyclists Believe in Sharing not Battling

The story on NBC the other night highlights the fact that, even in the media, cyclists, and motorists are seen as "battling" for space.

This does a disservice to cyclists, not just to the daily Commuters, and Club Riders, but the regular folks who may just go out for a spin once in a blue moon, or just for a run to the store.

Last month I expressed my support for the Share the Road Campaign begun by the Orange County Wheelmen, here in my backyard.

Bicycle safety is a critical issue to all of us.

With my own efforts in Blog posts, and links in my sidebar to resources, and the efforts of the OCW, it should be clear to all that cyclists  want to put out the word to SHARE, not "Battle", for the right to use our roads  ( And our Multi-use Trails. ) for cycling. 

As Frank Neal, of OCW, has written me:

It is our right and, we know, a privilege to use our roads for the combined use of motor vehicles and cyclists. 

Both motorists and cyclists need more education.

We ask for only our right to Share our roads.  No more and no less.

We are all about education for cyclists and motorists! 

It's a big issue. 

We know!  We are trying! 

OCW is aligned with the best minds of the California Association of  Bicycle Organizations (CABO).

OCW is small, with 400 members, but it is the oldest organization of its kind in the OC, and has many important Family Friendly Rides a year.

OCW was founded in 1970.  Beginning as a recreational cycling club, its focus has expanded to staging cycling events that attract hundreds of riders, to maintaining an active presence in the community through charitable donations, and to promoting safety and political advocacy.

It's new campaign now has over 5,000 signatures that say the DMV needs to support a special license plate with the message, "Share the Road!"

It needs over 7,500 to reach Sacramento.

If you are a fellow Californian please consider joining me in signing the petition.

Doing more to promote the ideas listed below is a good idea:

1. Educating motorists on how to safely share the road.

2. Educating bicyclists on the rules of the road and safe riding.

3. Educating event directors and bicyclists on best practices for event safety.

4. Providing guidance to bicyclists involved in crashes.

5. Outreach to law enforcement on the rights and responsibilities of motorists and bicyclists.

10 states have such licence plates, and 2 more are pending, and you can see those plates on the official campaign website.