To whom it may concern,

I have been thinking about we can make the streets safer for those exercise-loving, environmentally friendly and, above all, foolhardy people who ride bikes. The suggestions I have come up with are not just for Public Enemy Number One (ie. motorists), but for everyone. If you keep them in mind, you’ll be doing a service to your community!

Please look harder when you’re driving. Don’t just glance at the road, but really make sure it’s clear. There was a woman this afternoon that did a three point turn right in front of me, nearly making me run into the side of her SUV - that’s the sort of thing I mean. We all get lazy, but we have to fight it. Also remember that we might be going faster than you think, and that we can’t slow down as quickly as a car can.

Another important thing is to make sure our roads are clean and in good condition. Lumps and bumps are simply inconvenient for a car, but a rider can be toppled by an unexpected pothole or patch of gravel. This very thing happened to me yesterday, when I turned onto an unfamiliar street only to find it was a mess of holes and loose rocks. I wasn’t badly hurt, but I have some scrapes and totally looked like a dork. So next time you see a crappy road, write in and ask to have it fixed.

Finally, if you’re on foot, please look before crossing the road. Bikes are silent, but they may be travelling just as fast as the cars and they have the same right of way. Secretly every cyclist wants to be in a collision where they cause more damage than they receive, so don’t let them! Watch out!

Of course, I know that bike riders don’t always do the right thing. We often tear up the sidewalks and treat the road rules with disdain. Just coming back from the laundromat a few minutes ago I saw a man ride out into the middle of the road and almost get hit by two cars at once. Can you believe that he wasn’t even wearing his helmet? It was hanging from the handlebars. But nobody’s perfect, and there are people who’ll behave like idiots no matter what form of transport they choose. Just please remember that a cyclist can really get hurt in an accident, no matter whose fault it is.

Oh, and whatever you do, always look carefully before you open your door when you’re parked on the street! People have been killed this way. Many people.

Love, hugs and sunshine,

Mark