Chicago's New Bike Infrastructure Making Cycling Safer

Yep, bicycle specific infrastructure makes cycling safer for everyone, both in and out of the the bike lane. Earlier this week I was interviewed by Medill Reports on Chicago's push for a better cycling infrastructure.    Click on the photo below to link to the full video.  (Medill's site does not provide the embed code.)

AAA Bicycle Safety Videos Offer Mixed Messages

The American Automobile Association (AAA) and the League of American Bicyclists have teamed up to produce a series of bicycle safety videos.  The short films emphasize the "Share The Road" philosophy and offer tips on how cyclists and drivers can do so.  I've watched three of the videos (see below).  They're ok.  There is nothing particularly new or compelling about the information provided or the production approach.  If I have one complaint it is that they emphasize cycling as a recreation activity, showing helmeted children in school parking lots, lycra clad athletes and hybrid riders on bike paths.  The videos emphasize that cyclists should wear helmets AT ALL TIMES! and should don day-glow clothing to improve their chances of being seen by motorists.  There is nothing wrong with this advice.  But by reenforcing cycling as a recreational activity requiring protective gear and special clothing, the message that bicycles are valid transportation tools deserving of equal respect on the road gets watered-down or perhaps lost all together.  The images in the videos encourage motorists to see bicycling as either a child's game or a frivolous activity.  I would have rather seen folks commuting to work, moms carting kids and delivery riders on cargo bikes depicted.  It would have been nice to see people just going about their ordinary lives on bikes.  That would have sent a much stronger message.

Straight Outta L.A. Bicycle Video Sends Strong Message To Careless Drivers

Love this bicycle safety video from the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition.  Though it is in Spanish, the message really needs no translation.  The surprise ending sends a strong message.

Bicycle Video Should Be Required Viewing For All Illinoisans

Below is a very good, and fairly comprehensive video produced by the cities of Champaign and Urbana about bicycle safety and the law.  It is not slick, but chock full of real world demonstrations of how bicyclists and motorist should deal with each other, with bicycle specific infrastructure and with old-timey, not-bike-friendly road infrastructure.  The central message in the video, Champaign-Urbana Sharing the Road, is that, "Predictability is the key to bicycle safety."  I like that the video presents bicycling not merely as a recreational activity, but that people ride for all sorts of reasons, and should be encouraged to do so.  It shows and explains that people ride to shop, commute to the office, get to school, as well as for pure pleasure.  It encourages cyclists to use the whole road when appropriate and reminds drivers that bicyclists are not only permitted to do so, but should "take the lane" when it is the safest means to traverse an area.  This video should be required viewing for all Illinois residents.  How about making people watch it every time they renew their driver's licenses?

Funny Video Promotes Bicycle Helmet Use

Here is a great, and funny, video from the Brain Injury Association for anyone who has ever felt a little self conscious about wearing a bicycle helmet:



Thanks to the folks at Go Means Go! for making me aware of this video.

CDOT Video Demonstrates Intersection Navigation

Below is an excellent video recently created by the Chicago Department of Transportation's Bike Program on proper ways to navigate a variety of city intersections:

Video Demonstrates Rights and Duties of Bicyclists

Below is one of the best videos I have seen demonstrating the rights and responsibilities of bicyclists in traffic.  Everything explained and shown in this short film is consistent with Illinois law.

Weird, Creepy Bicycle Safety Film From Yesteryear Shares Some Important Lessons

The bicycle safety video below is entitled One Got Fat and is from 1963.  All of the points and lessons shared in the video are relevant to Illinois bicyclists today. . . but, man is this a weird and creepy film.  Enjoy!

CDOT Video Highlights The Dangers of Sidewalk Riding

In Chicago, adults are not permitted to ride their bicycles on the sidewalk.  A new video from the Chicago Department of Transportation highlights this law and demonstrates why sidewalk riding is dangerous and, frankly, a drag.  Check it out:

Bicycle Safety Video Library Online

Chicago's Soles and Spokes blog reports that the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) has created an online library full of bicycle and pedestrian safety videos.  Very cool stuff.  Check it out by clicking here.

Bicycle Safety Video From 1950

I really like this bicycle safety video from 1950 because it emphasizes the bicycle as a vehicle, a means of transportation, not merely a toy. Despite the film's age all of the safety recommendations are timeless and applicable to today. The only thing I may add is a helmet for little Jane or Johnny. Thanks to the folks at Urban Velo for making me aware of this video.