Everybody Get a Bike
Recently there was a report how to sell people on biking. Turns out that even though safety is a real concern, dwelling on safety messages kind of turns people off.
Is this really that surprising? Any salesperson would understand why.
(That’s why fine print was invented.)
So this got me thinking about advertising bicycling. What kind of messages would sell people on it? Probably the same things that sold me.
First of all, it’s easier to get things done:
While saving time on errands you also get exercise:
Oh, and if you are looking to make friends bikes can help with that too.
And if you found that you have one too many “friends” you can bike away from them.
So for positive bike messages that’s: exercise, quick errands, more time, less stress, enjoying time with friends, space when you need it, and more cake. That’s an easy sell, right? Now I just need some TV air time so I can make everybody get a bike.
For a really awesom end of work day, I cycle to Hot Yoga, then cycle home.
Once we get rid of the whole safety issue surrounding cycling (egads, I need to wear a helmet to ride a bike? It must be unsafe!) I bet more people will come around to the idea that riding a bicycle is a much better way to go.
Mighk Wilson’s essay on “Which Cycling Politics: Doom or Possibility?” ( http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/advocacy/doom-or-possibility/ ) also touches on this choice in messaging. Do we describe cycling as “not as bad as you’ve heard” or “the greatest thing ever”?
Soo…that’s what you’re looking for. A guy with a job and chiselled chin. Well, one out of two is not that bad I gguess:)
Yes, but it’s a job chiseling chins, so bases covered.