A while back I received the following:
We came across your blog today and thought that you might want to know about a cycling jersey we are selling that is stirring up quite a buzz. The new jerseys at www.sharethedamnroad.com send a message to aggressive drivers.
If you decide you want to write a little something about us for your blog, let us know and we will reciprocate a link back to you!
Best regards,
Jonathan Ciaccio
While I am an avid commuter and have been nearly run over on a few occasions due to driver rage or inattention, I’m not sure if I would wear one of their pre-printed shirts around town.
While I dig the inverted “Thanks!” on the front of the jerseys, certain Spokanites can get touchy behind the wheel, and I feel like the “more flies with honey” truism is particularly true in our town. Why not take the non-violent communication route?
I totally appreciate the purpose of avoiding accidents, raising awareness and keeping people safe, and am therefore more excited about Share the Damn Road’s customizable shirt options. What do you think about the following:
“One More Parking Spot”
“One Less Disease On Your Dollar”
“Please Pass Me : )”
“<- These Two Lanes Are For You”
“Go Ahead, Check Out My Legs”
“Biking For The U.S.A.”
“Zipping Between Potholes Since 2007″
“Visualize Green Lights”
10 responses so far ↓
It’s usually not a good idea to educate/communicate by starting with the word “don’t” or using profanity. Especially when the vehicle behind you is a mud covered 4×4. I like the 3 feet one because it’s a quoted recommendation from the Washington State driving manual. It’s a reminder more than a demand/request.
Having been almost ran over a few times myself, I see no reason to make myself more of a target with an inflammatory shirt. I like the visualize green lights message the best.
These are great, I was hit by a hit and run 740i BMW speeding and driving in the bike lane (a.k.a. Drunk) it was the first sunny day of the summer back in April of 2009. Almost died, spent 12 days in hospital, 7 of them in the Trauma ICU. I need on of these… where can I get one?
My favorite is the “One more parking spot,” as it’s mellow and clever. I’ve been amazed, just biking to work the past two years, how much homicidal anger some motorists in Spokane have just to the sight of a bicyclist on the roadway. I’m not exaggerating. I’ve literally thought that some of these guys (primarily it’s men) would kill me if they thought they could get away with it. For these fellows, even the mildest form of communication is going to be provocative, unless perhaps its the word “NASCAR” emblazoned on your jersey.
Awesome response. I think those “other” T-Shirts would elicit a negative response for sure!!!!
I think these would be a huge hit in Eastern Wa.
I think there is something to be said for setting the expectation. The “3 feet” and the “Don’t run me over” are pretty safely humorous. Spokane has lots of jerky drivers, but even jerks appreciate knowing what people want from them. I think that many drivers behave badly because they don’t know what is expected of them. “Please Pass Me : )”, “<- These Two Lanes Are For You” also set expectations, I'd certainly be game to try them when it is warm enough for short sleeved jerseys.
A soft answer turns away wrath….The shirts are at best a harsh answer.
The worse drivers on the roads are people on bikes…
We like the “Go Ahead, Check Out My Legs” and “One More Parking Spot” They made us laugh
Hey lady, something tells me you wouldn’t really be okay with, “Go ahead, check out my legs.”