Education efforts should be focused on a number of key issues. First, bicyclists
and potential bicyclists may benefit from knowing how relatively infrequent this
kind of crash is: many bicyclists who ride on the sidewalk or the ride the wrong
way against traffic will say that they are doing it to avoid getting hit from
behind. Mighk Wilson, a bicycle program professional in Orlando, Fla. has written
about overcoming this fear. http://www.floridabicycle.org/freedomfromfear.html
Second, bicyclists should be encouraged to make themselves visible through
the use of lights, reflectors, and retro-reflective clothing and equipment.
The national Highway Traffic Safety Administration has literature that stresses
this http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/outreach/media/catalog/Index.cfm
as do many of the other safety sites listed previously.
Third, motorists must be alerted to the likelihood of encountering a bicyclist
on the roadway. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices has a warning
sign that does this and includes a plaque with the message "Share the Road".
http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/pdfs/millennium/12.18.00/2C.pdf
Some communities have developed their own signs that do not conform to this,
although they do convey the same message.
http://www.trans.ci.portland.or.us/Traffic_Management/Bicycle_Program/sharedlanes.htm
http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2001/Aug-03-Fri-2001/news/16686338.html
