Dont Tread on Me / www.CyclingRespect.com

About this campaign

Our Mission is to raise awareness of cyclists on our roadways and educate the public on the laws governing the interactions between motorists and cyclists. We believe it is passed the time to become proactive in raising awareness of cyclists on the roadway and our right to the roadway; we are unwilling to experience or witness any more serious injuries or fatalities. Many times it is not the distracted driver that presents a danger, but the fault lies in the hands of the hostile, uneducated motor vehicle operator. The notion of Share the Road is not being subscribed to. Well-intentioned municipalities place these reminders, but we believe it sends a message to motorists that they ought to share THEIR lane. Our objective is not to be aggressive, but to be ASSERTIVE in our approach to riding and claiming our place on the roads. While it may seem the focus is on the negative, we encourage cyclists to positively reinforce the behavior of the majority of those who do respect our space. We want to specifically address the behavior by the minority of motorists in a way that promotes a safer riding environment for road cyclists.

WE ARE…
…ambassadors for all road cyclists.
…entitled to operate our bicycle on the roadway
…vehicles subject to the same laws as the operators of motor vehicles.
…educating motorists of all our responsibilities as users of a roadway.
…not required to justify our presence on the roadway.
…not obligated to restrict our riding to a bike path.
…not obligated to get out of the way of faster moving vehicles.
…going to show motorist the same courtesy and respect we expect.
…not intimidated by verbal abuse or physical gestures and will not retaliate in return.
…cooperating with law enforcement to report threatening or abusive behavior and will provide video evidence. We will pursue all available legal remedies to correct and or punish this behavior, criminal and civil.
…equipped to provide for our self-defense.
…your husband, wife, children, policeman, pastor, doctor, best friend, etc. WE ARE someone loved… and they want to see us return home safely.