Be Seen!
Every once in a blue moon, a person gets some useful insight into how they are perceived in this world. Years ago in college, I was a volunteer for the Off Campus Student Association. Their Executive Director gave me this insight. He said, “Terry, I call on you at the end of a meeting because I can count on you to do a neat summary of the meeting. You are a “summarizer”.” He was right. To this day I like to boil a complex set of ideas down into a single, actionable statement. A good example of this is the online shoe retailer Zappos’ Family Core Value #1, “Deliver WOW through service” (Zappos CEO, Tony Hsieh, was on the Colbert Report last night).
So I’m naturally thinking about bicycle safety, as usual, and what keeps me safe when I’m sharing the road during my bicycle commute. Bicycle commuting is a complex process when you think about it. Every mile I make a dozen decisions that impact my safety. My commute includes Reno’s Plumb Lane and Mill Street where there are plenty of motorists and potholes.
So what is my “single, actionable statement”? It’s, “BE SEEN”.
Of the three or four overriding principals that guide my bicycling, “Be seen” is near the top of the list. Generally speaking, motorists won’t run you down if they see you in time. That guides my selection of bicycling clothes, gear, and how I operate my bicycle, especially at intersections.
But that’s not why I’m writing this today. I’m writing to tell you about a contest to win a very “BE SEEN” device for your bike.
Sign up and record your bicycle commutes at Washoe RTC Smart Trips (http://www.rtcwashoe.greenride.com/) and win some Monkey Lights.
Check out this video of Monkey Lights in action:
Good Luck! It might not be for you but it would be perfect for your 5 year old or for cruising on the playa.