Watch the Water Burea’s new bike/truck safety video
Posted by Jonathan Maus (Editor) on October 6th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
The Portland Water Bureau has released a new video on bike and truck safety.
First unveiled to the public at a bike/truck safety event back in September, the video (watch it below) is an engaging look at what Portland’s busiest bikeways look like from the seat of a large truck.
The video is without narration and it uses titles to make several very important points. It opens with a live re-enactment of a right-hook which is followed by the words, “When bikes and trucks collide….everyone is hurt” as the scenes flash from a ghost bike to a truck driver hunched over his steering wheel in sadness. Those scenes are followed by, “Drivers need your help to keep you safe”.
Watch the video below:
The Water Bureau’s video comes just about a month after TriMet released an episode of TriMet TV on bike safety.
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October 6th, 2008 13:42
The truck peeling around the corner with the fast zoom out was awesome!!! Who knew the Water Bureau had a budget for such exhilarating action sequences?!?!!
October 6th, 2008 16:28
I think this is a really helpful video, I thought I was already careful but there was a couple new tips for me.
Kudos to the Water Bureau for making this happen. I know there are some truck drivers at the Bureau of Maintenance who have been similarly vigilant.
October 6th, 2008 17:42
Jonathan, how are they using this video? Where will it be shown?
October 6th, 2008 18:41
indeed, kudos to the water bureau on this one. simple messages, simple images - and a lot of good perspective on what things look like from the drivers viewpoint. i especially like the 4' "impact zone" and blind spot graphic overlays.
October 6th, 2008 21:02
"Jonathan, how are they using this video? Where will it be shown?"
They are planning to cut it up into shorter sections to be used in public service announcements on local cable channels.
I really wish they'd upload it via YouTube so it could be spread around the web more easily.
October 7th, 2008 04:22
I think from the overhead view of the truck turning that the danger zone is about 5' to 6' further back. I can't think of the last time I saw a large truck(or bus, car,or truck, for that matter) turn that far away from the corner of a curb. The video as a whole is very insightful and demonstrates the danger quite effectively. Is it possible to get this posted on th ZB forum, Jono?
October 7th, 2008 05:07
pretty awesome. the whole "let's look out for each other" sentiment is something i've been pushing for a while, now - more biker-to-biker, though.
having it expressed from a government agency towards bikers is very cool - very European.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqmNaEia1Sg
October 7th, 2008 06:26
I really like the video and hope we can use something like it down here in Eugene, however it seems to be pretty long for any kind of presentation or PSA.
Hopefully when they cut it up into smaller segments it will look better and flow well.
October 7th, 2008 11:30
It's great that they make a video like this but it makes it clear why we need physically separated lanes at least when it comes to trucks. They can't always see us and that is inherently dangerous. I am all for mingling on small, slow roads with cars but when it comes to boulevards with truck traffic I want to be separate.
October 7th, 2008 12:40
LAME!
Everyone wants to blame someone else.
Not once did they mention an actual rule / law.
Riding a bike in the open air makes us ten times more aware than the average driver. Although bikers as well as drivers are woefully ignorant of the law.
Truck Drivers: Just because you claim you can't see does not absolve you of murder.
Police: get a backbone and press charges.
October 16th, 2008 13:26
I like it! The video is calm and respectful. Suggesting that motorists suffer when they kill us--as distasteful as that may be for many here-- might be an underutilized message. I could see a campaign featuring a remorseful motorist speaking to other motorists.
These tragic right hooks are an inevitable by-product of striping bike lanes all the way to the intersection and of encouraging right-turning motorists to stay to the left of through bicyclists and through bicyclists to stay to the right of right-turning motorists.