We observe that cyclists and motorist are extremely focused in the moment of a near accident, but lack time, in-the-midst of traffic, to use effective listening techniques to achieve mutual understanding. Lacking time creates a specific and difficult listening challenge…especially when mixed with a history of animosity between cyclists and motorist, limited physical space, and misunderstandings about the laws governing urban cycling.

Also, a review of alternative transportation advocacy and cycling websites revealed that most publicly available information focuses on 1) bike safety tips, 2) what-to-do’s in case of an accident, and 3) advocacy intended to encourage revisions to transportation laws and traffic patterns to benefit cyclists.

While infrastructure improvements, legal revisions, and preventive safety measures are important information, little effort has been taken to consider cyclist/motorist communication.

If we leave aside pornographic “road-rage” videos, and basic instruction on how to use hand-signals, the cyber-landscape is bare.

Quick Facts:

U.S. Bicyclist Deaths in 2007: 698
U.S. Bicyclist Injuries in 2007: 43,000

The total cost of bicyclist injury and death is almost $5.4 billion per year.

(http://www.bicyclinginfo.org/facts/crash-facts.cfm)

The 698 deaths accounted for 2% of the overall traffic deaths for the year.

Cycling fatalities were 72% more likely in urban areas.

(NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts)

Suggestions?

Email us: respond [at] DearDriver.org