Ride Sexy...for Safety!

My teammate Jess and I have been doing a little bicycle experiment lately...Dressing up to ride bikes,  Skirts, heels, etc. (Actually Jess has been riding chic for awhile, but I just started this summer).     When we're biking in style, it seems we get noticed more and as a result the cars drive slower and steer clear.  I guess it started as an experiment, but then I realized, wow it seems safer riding when I am dressed like a girl.  It's out of the ordinary, so people take notice.    

There seems to be a contingent of "Safe Cycling Advocates" that believes safety means a reflective vest and other equipment to get the driver to notice you.  I am suggesting there is another way to be noticed on the road.  

How about a video and/or print campaign, that shows attractive ladies riding bikes dressed up in skirts and heels.  

The messages:

• Ride Sexy
• Drive like they're all pretty girls! 

I have also dressed like a clown for various meetings and that again, seems more safe because it is eye catching.  

• be different, be safe
• Be weird, Be seen
• Biking is no time to be a wallflower

After dark:

For night time, I realize there is no substitute for good lighting, but the lighting can be sexy too! Project Aura: Bicycle Safety Lighting System

Project Aura: Bicycle Safety Lighting System from Project AURA on Vimeo.

Why Sexy for Safety?   I believe our goal is really to decrease the overall odds of a crash or fatality. I don't believe our goal is that every rider is going to be a safe rider.  What we need is more riders in general and that will mean some safe and some unsafe riders.  The fact that we have more riders will decrease the accident statistic because there is a larger number in the denominator.  It's statistical safety.   Our efforts should be placed on getting more people on bikes and less focus on getting all riders to be safe riders.   When we do things purely about "good safety" it reinforces the message that bicycling is unsafe and scary; which turns people away from riding altogether.    The bicycle message should focus on making bikes appear fun and cool so the casual rider (especially females) are willing to try it out.   

Additional Reading:

Have helmet laws put the skids on Australia’s bike share scheme?

Cycle Chic: Denmark's bicycle ambassador is bringing sexy back to cycling

TEDxCopenhagen - Mikael Colville-Andersen - Why We Shouldn't Bike with a Helmet