Earlier this week Mayor Villaraigosa unveiled this “Give Me 3″ poster design, making good on his promise to push for a 3-foot passing law. I saw my first one of these yesterday at the Metro station on Santa Monica and Vermont. Done in partnership with the L.A. County Bicycle Coalition, and Midnight Ridazz, this is a welcome effort and I hope just the beginning.
Of course, the campaign is not without its critics in the bike community. One complaint I’ve heard is that these are posters to be displayed in bus shelters, despite the intended target being motorists, not public transportation users. While motorists can still see these posters (well, for the most part at least), the poster’s being put in a traditional advertising position may lead to some folks consciously ignoring them as they do other commerical posters and billboards.
By TheTruthAbout...
Earlier this year, an advocacy group known as the “Department of DIY” put up these posters on utility boxes. While a much simpler design, these DIY posters have a direct message, and unconventional placement making them, I think, far more effective. Furthermore, they served to familiarize motorists with the sharrow traffic symbol before L.A.’s sharrow pilot program was enacted months later.
While I can’t criticize the “Give Me 3″ posters’ placement – a city-sanctioned campaign obviously wouldn’t be able to partake of the same guerrilla tactics – I do fear the “3 feet to pass safely” message is harder to read and may be missed. Still, I think it’s a pretty good poster and am happy to have any attention given to the needs of cyclists. Thanks, Mayor Villaraigosa. Keep up the educating (but please don’t waste your time and our resources on the helmet issue).
Tags: advocacy, los angeles, villaraigosa