Changing Message Changes Driver Behavior
New road rules expand bike lanes in San Carlos
Link (The Examiner)
“Margaret Pye remembers the honking, shouting and tailgating she endured while commuting home.
The bicyclist grew tiresome of the treatment she received from drivers in San Carlos, and fought for equal access to the roads by lobbying city leaders for a unique kind of sign.
Bicyclists and vehicles share the road on Brittan Avenue in San Carlos.
Instead of “share the road” signs, which Pye said are ineffective, the city recently installed “change lanes to pass” signs on the two-lane portion of Brittan Avenue that links El Camino Real to U.S. Highway 101. It notifies drivers that bicyclists have full access to a car lane: if drivers want to speed past them, they must switch lanes.
Once the sign went up this summer, the honking quickly stopped, she said.
“I believe the motorists understand and do what they’re supposed to do,” Pye said. “I think it’s been a significant difference.””
Oh wow, that’s a really good idea. I always felt the “share the road” signs were worthless. I mean, what exactly are they instructing drivers to do other than a head’s up on possible cyclists? And after a while, especially on roads not well traveled by bicyclists (the one I’m specifically thinking of is on St. Joe River Dr), the sign’s effectiveness is null and void. When I bike on the road, I opt for “owning the lane.” I feel so much safer that way than riding on the shoulder. Plus, when you ride in the middle of the lane, people have a tendency (at least those in Carmel, IN where I rode this summer) to pass more in the other lane rather than in the lane with you. So having a sign setting that as a standard would be wonderful.