How do you get a comunity aware of cycling and pedestrian laws?
09-25-19, 02:55 PM
#1
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How do you get a comunity aware of cycling and pedestrian laws?
I live in a town of 3300 people (yes there are more cows than people in my town). I have been noticing many people especially teenagers riding against traffic and not wearing helmets (mandatory helmet law for any kids 16 and under in my state - Oregon),
I remember being taught in elementary school to walk against the flow of traffic and ride with the flow of traffic (helmets weren't the law back then and I rode for many many years as a youth without one until I was 15 and my mom bought me my first new bike (a 1985 Centurion Le Mans 12 speed).
I have posted my observations on a community facebook page along with posting the PDF file of the cyclist/pedestrian manual from the Oregon DMV.
How else can I bring awareness to the youth in my community without being that crazy old guy who yells at the kids? Heck I have a nine year old (and yes he wears his helmet when riding his bike) and a 19 year old; I don't want to see one of these younger people get hit by a car.
I remember being taught in elementary school to walk against the flow of traffic and ride with the flow of traffic (helmets weren't the law back then and I rode for many many years as a youth without one until I was 15 and my mom bought me my first new bike (a 1985 Centurion Le Mans 12 speed).
I have posted my observations on a community facebook page along with posting the PDF file of the cyclist/pedestrian manual from the Oregon DMV.
How else can I bring awareness to the youth in my community without being that crazy old guy who yells at the kids? Heck I have a nine year old (and yes he wears his helmet when riding his bike) and a 19 year old; I don't want to see one of these younger people get hit by a car.
09-25-19, 03:09 PM
#2
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Have you tried contacting the local school district? I'd imagine at least a few kids there get to their school on a bike, and they might be interested in teaching basic bike safety.
09-25-19, 03:34 PM
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Local law enforcement and the like.
09-25-19, 03:47 PM
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My guess is that there is no magic or single act that will change a lack of safety awareness. I think it will take a sustained effort over time to effect change. It would help your cause if other parents were to come on board. If the PTA puts out a newsletter, or at the next town meeting, an announcement for a safety meeting of concerned parents about the issue might help get those parents on board. At that meeting you might get the ball rolling with some suggestions to begin the conversation. Maybe holding a cycle rodeo where kids are shown safe practices. Once you can get something going, there will no doubt be many suggestions, some of them very good.
A couple web sites and some ideas.
https://www.saintlukeskc.org/health-...icycle-safety#
https://www.safekids.org/bike
A couple web sites and some ideas.
https://www.saintlukeskc.org/health-...icycle-safety#
https://www.safekids.org/bike
09-26-19, 07:02 AM
#5
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I'm guessing that for a population of 3300, every driver just might know or recognize most of the kids. So they just might drive more carefully around them.
09-26-19, 09:46 AM
#6
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Thread Starter
I wonder if the local DMV (one town over) could get enough of the booklets on cycling/pedestrian rules of the road to the local elementary schools. If the schools would hand them out to the kids to take home that would be a start.
In our town we have two "communities" for lack of a better word, and unfortunately they don't interact often as they are two very different cultures and sometimes two different languages. Most of the kids speak English, but many of their parents do not.
We do recognize most of the kids even if we don't know their names we know they belong in town.
In our town we have two "communities" for lack of a better word, and unfortunately they don't interact often as they are two very different cultures and sometimes two different languages. Most of the kids speak English, but many of their parents do not.
We do recognize most of the kids even if we don't know their names we know they belong in town.
09-27-19, 08:07 AM
#7
Senior Member
I wonder if the local DMV (one town over) could get enough of the booklets on cycling/pedestrian rules of the road to the local elementary schools. If the schools would hand them out to the kids to take home that would be a start.
In our town we have two "communities" for lack of a better word, and unfortunately they don't interact often as they are two very different cultures and sometimes two different languages. Most of the kids speak English, but many of their parents do not.
We do recognize most of the kids even if we don't know their names we know they belong in town.
In our town we have two "communities" for lack of a better word, and unfortunately they don't interact often as they are two very different cultures and sometimes two different languages. Most of the kids speak English, but many of their parents do not.
We do recognize most of the kids even if we don't know their names we know they belong in town.
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09-27-19, 09:51 AM
#8
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You are trying to market a message. In order to do so most effectively you have to determine where people get their information in that area. You not only have to reach that audience through those sources, you have to make sure your message is impactful. You can make somebody "aware" of something and fail at changing their behavior. Fortunately it's easier to change a culture in a smaller community than it is in a larger one. Identify the social influencers there, sell them on the value and let them help you market the message.
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10-01-19, 09:05 PM
#9
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A community of 3300 shouldn't be so difficult to deliver flyers and pamphlets to.
The city can print appropriate fliers reminding all residences traffic laws pertaining to vulnerable road users and mass mail them out.
The city can print appropriate fliers reminding all residences traffic laws pertaining to vulnerable road users and mass mail them out.
10-06-19, 11:42 AM
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I have the definitive answer... take away their cars.
10-06-19, 02:12 PM
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Put on a bicycle rodeo for all ages. Any one local or in near by larger city(s) to get some sponsors. Have various stages, general safety, riding skills, maintenance, etc. A check off for completing each stage with some type of give away for completing all.
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