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@Jasper. Your initial comment seemed to be your answer to the final paragraph in the article. If you have any evidence to support the idea that a dollar spent on PR is more effective than a dollar on road signs, I would be interested. I did link to the Austin study on R4-11, but it did not get into the systemwide effects.

I considered your perspective before engaging in this campaign, but concluded that the signs are likely to be overwhelmingly positive. First, I can work to get the signs posted on the roads I ride, and the signs unarguably create some awareness among drivers on the roads. Second, I think the ill effect you predict is unlikely. Consider the various classes of drivers:
a. Those who do not think cyclists belong in the roadway. Since they already don't think that the cyclist belongs in the road, I don't see how a sign that says that they do on a given road will do anything other than at least inform them that cyclists belong on that road.
b. Those who realize that cyclists belong on the road but are a bit confused about which part of the road. The sign lets them know, at least for that road. While it is possible that some people will use the false logic (if sign-->right, then no sign-->no right), it is just as likely that the concept of "use full lane" will be taught to people who thought that cyclists are always suppose to be far right.
c. Children, student drivers, and curious people will see the signs and start conversations about them with other people, some of whom know the law and reason for using the full lane. The signs can be a conversation starter with an educational benefit.

But I'd prefer to see a study in MD rather than speculate on all this.

@thump: Thanks for your encouragement to write about SHA. Your insights seem valid to me. As you may surmise, I tend to write GGW articles on either at the beginning or at the end of a campaign. So I am likely to be saying relatively positive things here. I'll tend to communicate my concerns directly to SHA to try to work something out.

@thump and ceefer66. There will be a second part to this series shortly, as my original submission was too long for a single article. There we contrast SHA with some of the localities. Forgive me if I overdo the praise for SHA. Perhaps it is wishful thinking, but often when you give people credit for their better sides, they don't let you down.

@ceefer66: Part 2 will quote some official statements very similar to some of the points you made. You may be amazed at the candor.
I also see some of the same drivers, as I live on Glenn Dale Rd. Many drivers ignore the double yellow line and pass any car less than 10 mph over the limit. They seem to be less of a problem for cyclists on Glenn Dale Rd. That may be because the traffic is so light, that if you take the lane, they just change lanes or, at worst, slow for 15 seconds to let a single oncoming car pass. The only problems I see on that road is when I leave enough room for the overtaking vehicle to squeeze through.
But I agree about Church Rd. There is a judgment call one has to make. Certainly if a car lacks sufficient site line to pass me by changing lanes, I don't want him squeezing me on these 10-ft lanes either.
The larger point, however, is that cyclists should probably not change how they ride because of the signs. because one can not assume a change in driver behavior. The evidence is that drivers move a bit left and pass with a greater buffer, perhaps because they think that "use full lane" means that drivers should give them the full lane. I am not sure.

@King Terrapin. SHA was originally going to have a press release then the signs were posted, so when I told their public affairs office that this post was up, and asked about the press release, I copied your comment in the email. I hope you don't mind. I nag them enough that I wanted to make them smile.

@SJE: Slightly off point, but I learned that as of about a year ago, about 30 citations have been issued for violations of the 3-foot passing buffer in Maryland. Also, as bad as drivers treat cyclists, they often treat other drivers even worse. I think that's why AAA tends to support measures aimed at really bad drivers. Cyclists can (sometimes) escape those selfish, distracted, mean-spirited people--but drivers are always stuck with them.

Best regards

Jim

by Jim Titus on Aug 1, 2012 4:31 pm • link • report