Same Roads, Same Rules is aimed at both bicyclists and motorists. It is about coexisting in a shared space, respecting each other as human beings, using common sense, and keeping yourself and others safe by following a common set of rules. As the number of cyclists has skyrocketed in recent years, the need for more information has become urgent, with many on the road, bicyclists and motorists alike, unsure how to safely interact with each other.

The heart of the campaign is the website at SameRoadsSameRules.org, but you will also see our street teams handing out Same Roads, Sames Rules spoke cards. The spoke cards have simple safety tips for bikers and drivers, and we encourage bicyclists to stick them in your wheels and share them with others on the road.

The campaign is featured on the Registry of Motor Vehicles website, and the RMV will be distributing spoke cards to motorists at RMV branch locations. We expect other agencies to feature the campaign as well so that we reach as many people as possible.

TAKE ACTION: We need your help to get the word out, so please pass a link to SameRoadsSameRules.org to everyone you know who rides a bike or drives a car in Massachusetts.

And what better time to spread the word than Bay State Bike Week, May 17th-21st (next week)! Check the website for a complete calendar of events statewide and near you, then get on your bike and celebrate bicycling in Massachusetts at a bike breakfast, one of our own Pump n’ Lube Stations, a film fest, and much more! Be sure to register your mileage for the Mass Commuter Challenge, whether you ride for fun, fitness, or transportation next week. Over 100,000 miles have been pledged already!

Press Release:

SURGE IN BICYCLING SPARKS “SAME ROADS, SAME RULES” SAFETY CAMPAIGN
State Agencies and MassBike Partner on Education Effort, Encourage Residents to Bike to Work on Bay State Bike Week May 17-21

BOSTON – Wednesday, May 12, 2010 – In response to the sharp rise in bicycle commuters and recreational bicyclists, MassBike, in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, the Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Department of Public Health, has launched a new safety campaign to educate both bicyclists and motorists about the role of bicycles on the state’s roads. The centerpiece of the “Same Road, Same Rules” campaign is an educational website unveiled today at www.SameRoadsSameRules.org.

The agencies and MassBike are also encouraging residents to bike to work and take part in Bay State Bike Week on May 17-21, a week long series of bike events occurring statewide. For a calendar of events and more information visit www.baystatebikeweek.org.

“Bicycling is a fun, healthy way to travel, whether you’re just going to the store or commuting to work,” said Governor Patrick. “Due to the increase in popularity of bicycling we encourage both drivers and bicyclists to educate themselves about their separate roles and responsibilities on the road.”

The state’s partnership with MassBike on the Same Roads, Same Rules campaign is part of the Healthy Transportation Compact, an initiative of the Patrick-Murray Administration’s historic transportation reform that promotes collaboration between the departments of transportation and public health to adopt best practices, increase efficiency and achieve positive health outcomes through the coordination of land use, transportation and public health policy.

“It is thrilling to see all the bicycles during my morning and evening commutes. With so many bicyclists taking to the road it’s increasingly important that bicyclists and motorists learn how to interact safely,” said MassBike Executive Director David Watson. “Many of these bicyclists are new to riding in traffic, and many motorists are unsure what to do around bicyclists, but the common thread is that everyone wants to get where they are going safely.”

The Same Roads, Same Rules website focuses on the most important things both motorists and bicyclists need to know about the role of bicycles on the road. Visitors can explore safety tips for bikes or cars, detailed information about state laws or common myths and misconceptions from both bicyclist and motorists perspectives. The MassDOT and DCR websites will promote the Same Roads, Same Rules website and MassBike plans to heavily promote the new site to bicyclists via postcards, stickers and other materials.

“The Same Roads, Same Rules campaign aims to welcome both new and old bicyclists to the road and educate all road users, including drivers, about both the rights and responsibilities of bicycles on our roads,” said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Jeffrey Mullan. “MassDOT is working closely with the bicycling community to strengthen safety and education for our employees and to our customers throughout the state.”

“This campaign complements the work we do with Mass in Motion to encourage residents to take steps to improve their overall health and wellness,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. JudyAnn Bigby. “Riding a bike is an easy way for residents to incorporate exercise into their daily routines. This initiative will help create an environment where residents who choose to ride their bikes on our roads can do so safely.”

“Biking is practical, fun and healthy as long as riders and drivers alike share the responsibility of road safety,” said Public Safety Secretary Mary Beth Heffernan. “To promote bike safety, we will provide 157 communities over 14,000 helmets, purchased with public safety grants, to be distributed free of charge at local events during the spring and summer months.”

“The increased interest in cycling and bicycle safety is very heartening,” said DCR Commissioner Rick Sullivan, “and the Same Roads, Same Rules campaign is an excellent initiative to educate cyclists and motorists alike in how we should all behave to keep everyone safe.”

For transportation news and updates visit MassDOT at our website: www.mass.gov/massdot, blog: www.mass.gov/blog/transportation, or follow MassDOT on twitter at www.twitter.com/massdot.
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We understand that not all bicyclists in Massachusetts use English as their primary language, we also know that we get a lot of visitors to our website from people in other countries, with that in mind we have recently integrated a translation system here that will allow you to read our website in any of 48 different languages. Look over on the right (I will wait), see those little flags, click on the appropriate flag to select the language you want to read our website in, it’s that easy! We know it is not perfect, but it works pretty well, we hope this will allow you to read our site in a language that is most convenient for you.

We look forward to working towards a safer and happier experience for cyclists and motorists alike.