Club Mailing on Oregon’s Safe Passing Law Elicits Constructive Responses

Club Mailing on Oregon's Safe Passing Law Elicits Constructive Responses

by Harlan Bittner on Sep, 11 2017

Bicyclists often complain that some motorists don’t follow the rules of the road. We all know that sometimes cyclists don’t always follow the rules either. We as cyclists should exhibit law-abiding behavior if we expect motorists to do the same.

As part of our education campaign, the Club recently mailed Jackson and Josephine County businesses that operate between 3 and 14 vehicles a letter and poster that describe Oregon’s safe passing law:

We received a number of responses to the mailing, most positive. A few responses included constructive comments that implored cyclists to follow the rules of the road, just as cyclists expect motorists to do. Following are some excerpts (edited for clarity) from one anonymous response. Though this letter focuses on a cycling behavior that few if any Siskiyou Velo members would practice, it’s a good reminder that motorists notice how cyclists ride!

To: Education Chair, Siskiyou Velo Club

We are in receipt of your reminder that motorists leave enough room for bicyclists. We do.

As a group that has demonstrated great concern for bicyclists, may we suggest you focus your campaign on educating bicyclists (especially those who may not yet be driving motor vehicles, and may not know the rules of the road) about the simple Walk Left, Ride Right dictate. Riding on the wrong side of the road is dangerous.

Throughout the United States, where we have lived and traveled for decades, this bicycling practice seems to only exist in Southern Oregon. Who’s teaching this practice to young bicyclists? We encourage you to follow-up your campaign to admonish bicyclists — especially parents of young bicyclists — to Walk Left, Ride Right!

Scheduled Rides

View All Scheduled Rides

Monday, Dec 5
- Monday Coffee Ride
 
 10:30am: Meet at Colver Park in Phoenix
 
 25-30 Miles, Moderate / Brisk (14 - 18+ mph), Some Hills
 
 Contact: Dennis Cramer - 541-773-5804
 
 {"id":676,"title":"Monday Coffee Ride","description":"The ride includes moderate to brisk riders who travel along a fairly flat route from Phoenix to Jacksonville. The route includes mostly lower volume roads without shoulders or those with moderate traffic with moderately wide shoulders. The exception is on ODOT's OR238 (i.e. Hanley Road) where there are no shoulders and the volumes are moderate. \r\n \r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/ridewithgps.com\/routes\/19152561\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/ridewithgps.com\/routes\/19152561<\/a> \r\n \r\n","start_location":"Meet at <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/oNb33UeC755DmBmd8\">Colver Park in Phoenix<\/a>","unprefixed_start_location":"<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/oNb33UeC755DmBmd8\">Colver Park in Phoenix<\/a>","pace":"Moderate \/ Brisk (14 - 18+ mph)","terrain":"Some Hills","distance":"25-30","ride_leader":"Dennis Cramer","phone_number":" 541-773-5804","email":"scramer5804@charter.net","formatted_time":{"hour":"10","minutes":"30","meridiem":"am"},"time":"10:30am","date":{"timestamp":1670265000,"formatted":"Monday, Dec 5","midnightTimestamp":1670227200,"dayOfWeek":"Monday"}}
Wednesday, Dec 7
- Explore the Rogue Valley Ride 12/7
 
 11:30am: Meet at Tou Velle Park in White City
 
 32.5 Miles, Mellow (11-14 mph), Some Hills
 
 Contact: Phil Kolczynski - phillipkol@earthlink.net
 
 {"id":2510,"title":"Explore the Rogue Valley Ride 12\/7","description":"Siskiyou Velo COVID-vaccinated Club Ride, Wednesday December 7th \r\nRoute: Out to and return from Shady Cove,\u201cthe back way.\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/ridewithgps.com\/routes\/41538893\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/ridewithgps.com\/routes\/41538893<\/a> 32.5 miles, 1,400\u2019 climbing; \r\nStart time will be 11:30 am. (\ud83e\udd1ehoping for crisp and clear); \r\nStart and Finish location: \u201cTou Velle\u201d State Park, east side entrance off Table Rock. Surprise - even in winter, a day use $5.00 parking permit is required. \r\nMid-way rest stop: A catchy-named coffee\/food caf\u00e9, w\/picnic tables, in Shady Cove; \r\nModerate: 10-15 mph, no serious hills this trip; \r\nMy rides are open to COVID vaccinated club members, who want to ride togther, cooperate to regroup, and socialize when safe; \r\nFast riders: Suggested segments will be recommended for cyclists who are not inclined to soft pedal for the whole ride; \r\nWinter ride -- dress accordingly; I will cancel on Wednesday by 8:00 am, if unsafe weather e.g., rain, snow, ice or high winds. \r\n","start_location":"Meet at <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/maps.google.com\/?q=Tou+Velle+Park+in+White+City+OR\">Tou Velle Park in White City<\/a>","unprefixed_start_location":"<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/maps.google.com\/?q=Tou+Velle+Park+in+White+City+OR\">Tou Velle Park in White City<\/a>","pace":"Mellow (11-14 mph)","terrain":"Some Hills","distance":"32.5","ride_leader":"Phil Kolczynski","phone_number":"phillipkol@earthlink.net","email":"phillipkol@earthlink.net","formatted_time":{"hour":"11","minutes":"30","meridiem":"am"},"time":"11:30am","date":{"timestamp":1670441400,"formatted":"Wednesday, Dec 7","midnightTimestamp":1670400000,"dayOfWeek":"Wednesday"},"encoded":"{\"id\":2510,\"title\":\"Explore the Rogue Valley Ride 12\\\/7\",\"description\":\"Siskiyou Velo COVID-vaccinated Club Ride, Wednesday December 7th \\r\\nRoute: Out to and return from Shady Cove,\\u201cthe back way.\\u201d <a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/ridewithgps.com\\\/routes\\\/41538893\\\" rel=\\\"nofollow\\\">https:\\\/\\\/ridewithgps.com\\\/routes\\\/41538893<\\\/a> 32.5 miles, 1,400\\u2019 climbing; \\r\\nStart time will be 11:30 am. (\\ud83e\\udd1ehoping for crisp and clear); \\r\\nStart and Finish location: \\u201cTou Velle\\u201d State Park, east side entrance off Table Rock. Surprise - even in winter, a day use $5.00 parking permit is required. \\r\\nMid-way rest stop: A catchy-named coffee\\\/food caf\\u00e9, w\\\/picnic tables, in Shady Cove; \\r\\nModerate: 10-15 mph, no serious hills this trip; \\r\\nMy rides are open to COVID vaccinated club members, who want to ride togther, cooperate to regroup, and socialize when safe; \\r\\nFast riders: Suggested segments will be recommended for cyclists who are not inclined to soft pedal for the whole ride; \\r\\nWinter ride -- dress accordingly; I will cancel on Wednesday by 8:00 am, if unsafe weather e.g., rain, snow, ice or high winds. \\r\\n\",\"start_location\":\"Meet at <a target=\\\"_blank\\\" href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/maps.google.com\\\/?q=Tou+Velle+Park+in+White+City+OR\\\">Tou Velle Park in White City<\\\/a>\",\"unprefixed_start_location\":\"<a target=\\\"_blank\\\" href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/maps.google.com\\\/?q=Tou+Velle+Park+in+White+City+OR\\\">Tou Velle Park in White City<\\\/a>\",\"pace\":\"Mellow (11-14 mph)\",\"terrain\":\"Some Hills\",\"distance\":\"32.5\",\"ride_leader\":\"Phil Kolczynski\",\"phone_number\":\"phillipkol@earthlink.net\",\"email\":\"phillipkol@earthlink.net\",\"formatted_time\":{\"hour\":\"11\",\"minutes\":\"30\",\"meridiem\":\"am\"},\"time\":\"11:30am\",\"date\":{\"timestamp\":1670441400,\"formatted\":\"Wednesday, Dec 7\",\"midnightTimestamp\":1670400000,\"dayOfWeek\":\"Wednesday\"}}"}
Thursday, Dec 8
- Thursday morning Ride
 
 Start time Varies: Meet at Jacksonville Library
 
 20-40 Miles, Moderate / Brisk (14 - 18+ mph), Hilly
 
 Contact: John Fries - 541-973-1586
 
 {"id":6916,"title":"Thursday morning Ride","description":"Tony Hayes and I are starting a regular Thursday ride for vaccinated members who like to climb hills. Routes will be 20 to 40 miles ridden at a brisk-light pace with 1500-3000 feet of elevation gain. \r\nUnless specified, rides will start from the Parking lot across the bridge from the Jacksonville Library. The planned starting time for September 1st is 8:00 AM, however, starting times may be delayed or canceled due to poor weather or air quality conditions. I will endeavor to send an email notice by 7:00 AM when these situations occur. Although this is a \u201cshow and go\u201d ride, initially I will appreciate notification by email if you plan to participate.","start_location":"Meet at <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/place\/Jacksonville+Public+Library\/@42.3151272,-122.9694233,825m\/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x54cf78f236921923:0xc6d49959ea1e3a9e\">Jacksonville Library<\/a>","unprefixed_start_location":"<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/place\/Jacksonville+Public+Library\/@42.3151272,-122.9694233,825m\/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x54cf78f236921923:0xc6d49959ea1e3a9e\">Jacksonville Library<\/a>","pace":"Moderate \/ Brisk (14 - 18+ mph)","terrain":"Hilly","distance":"20-40","ride_leader":"John Fries","phone_number":"541-973-1586","email":"friesj@sbcglobal.net","time":"Start time Varies","date":{"timestamp":1670572740,"formatted":"Thursday, Dec 8","midnightTimestamp":1670486400,"dayOfWeek":"Thursday"}}
Saturday, Dec 10
- Velo Melo
 
 Start time Varies: Start Location Varies
 
 25-30 Miles, Mellow (11-14 mph), Some Hills
 
 Contact: Lisa Brill -
 
 {"id":6284,"title":"Velo Melo","description":"Start time and location vary. 25-30 miles, Mellow pace (11-14 mph). Some hills.","start_location":"Start Location Varies","unprefixed_start_location":"Start Location Varies","pace":"Mellow (11-14 mph)","terrain":"Some Hills","distance":"25-30","ride_leader":"Lisa Brill","phone_number":" ","email":"lisa4bikes@gmail.com","time":"Start time Varies","date":{"timestamp":1670745540,"formatted":"Saturday, Dec 10","midnightTimestamp":1670659200,"dayOfWeek":"Saturday"}}
- Brisk Ride
 
 Start time Varies: Start Location Varies
 
 50+ Miles, Brisk (>18 mph), Hilly
 
 Contact: Dennis Cramer - 541-773-5804
 
 {"id":674,"title":"Brisk Ride","description":"Brisk rides are for strong riders who want to ride at a brisk *average pace, with occasional sprints, and brisk climbs. The route and starting point will vary - expect some climbing and, in fact, on most days, a lot. Riders should know how to make repairs. Riders are expected to review online and understand the planned route. The Brisk group is NOT a no-drop group, slower riders are discouraged. \r\n*Average Speeds \u2013 The speeds listed are average speeds maintained for the entire ride, not the minimum or maximum speeds. To maintain the average ride speed, riders will ride far faster and far slower at times. While not required, a cycle-computer is helpful to judge average speed. In some situations, leaders may feel the conditions justify a slower average minimum speed.","start_location":"Start Location Varies","unprefixed_start_location":"Start Location Varies","pace":"Brisk (>18 mph)","terrain":"Hilly","distance":"50+","ride_leader":"Dennis Cramer","phone_number":"541-773-5804 ","email":"scramer5804@charter.net","time":"Start time Varies","date":{"timestamp":1670745540,"formatted":"Saturday, Dec 10","midnightTimestamp":1670659200,"dayOfWeek":"Saturday"}}

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