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Bike Safety Airs on Maine Television Everyone knows how to ride a bike right? "There is much more to bike riding than knowing how to balance," claims Jeffrey Miller, Director for the Bicycle Coalition of Maine (BCM), a statewide education and advocacy organization. "We stress that bicyclists need to 'Drive' their bikes just like any other vehicle," adds Miller. In hopes of educating the public about "Sharing the Road," the BCM has just produced four 30-second public service announcements (PSAs) for broadcast of Maine television and cable stations. Four 30-second Share the Road Public Service Announcments include:
We've always made child and family safety one of our top public service priorities," says Paul Saliwanchik at WABI TV5. "We're proud to be a broadcast partner in this wonderful campaign." The PSA series include messages targeted to kids, all bicyclists, motorists, and a general message for both bicyclists and motorists. The kids video stresses the new helmet law for youth under 16, stopping and looking carefully before entering the road, and riding with traffic on the right side. The bicyclists video stresses following all traffic laws including using lights when riding at night. The motorists video reminds us that we all know someone who bikes and that with a little patience and courtesy "It's easy to share the road." Specific tips such as yielding to bikes, slowing until it is safe to pass, and giving three feet when passing are shown. The general video touches on the key points of all three of the targeted videos. These Share the Road PSAs are just the latest component to the BCM's Share the Road Campaign. To date the BCM has worked with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles who have added a section on"Sharing the Road with Bicycles" in the Maine Motorists Handbook and added a bicycle safety question to the Maine Drivers Exam. The BCM also has educational brochures for both bicyclists and motorists with rules for safe driving. According to Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) studies there are approximately 900,000 bicycles in the State of Maine. Indeed many citizens bicycle for transportation, recreation, health, or sport. In addition many visitors to Maine bicycle while visiting. The MDOT is currently funding a study to measure the economic impact of bicycle tourism in the state. A study done in Vermont revealed that bicycle tourism alone brought in $17 million annually, twice that of the maple syrup industry. "Remembering that bicycles are indeed vehicles and have all the same rights and responsibilities is the key," explains Miller. "This is true whether you are traveling on four wheels or two." VHS copies of the video can be purchased along with the script for $10 (S&H included). Contact the BCM at (207) 623-4511 or info@BikeMaine.org or mail a check to BCM, PO Box 5275, Augusta, ME 04332. Alternatively, you can view the PSAs online. (The online version of the PSAs requires the RealVideo G2 player for viewing. The player is available at Real.com.) Share the Road PSA Actors The Public Service Announcements (PSA's 30 second free commercials) we developed will allow us to reach out to the public to encourage them to Share the Road with all bicyclists. By having an independent videographer (Dobb's Productions) producing the PSA's, we were able to send a packet of high-quality pieces to ALL television and cable stations, increasing widespread broadcasting. The four PSAs feature some of the best talent in Downeast Maine. These budding new stars will be recognized in crowds across Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts and Wisconsin (and possibly elsewhere). Our stars include:
Honorable Mention but unfortunately not shown (sorry but thank you anyhow!)
And of course the supreme videography and editing talents are those of the infamous
Thank you all for your time, energy, and talent to help educate the public and improve bicycling in Maine! You may view our Public Service Announcments (PSAs) online view the PSAs online. (The PSAs require the RealVideo G2 player for viewing. The player is available at Real.com.) More information:
Better Bicycling in Maine Since 1992 |