[*BCM*] WANTED: photo of the new "health insurance" bus campaign of hit cyclist

[robert fine]

I saw the Subway version of the ad on the redline and thought it was
offensive as well. I did think to pull it out of the placard to show people
and if I knew I'd be getting one of those great T-shirts, I'd have been
highly motivated (although I realize the offer is to take a photo, not steal
public property)! What's not clear is how the biker fell down, you don't
just fall down on your own unless there is a serious road hazard , you get
doored, or you try some kind of acrobatic maneuver like answer your cell
phone while drinking a beverage. Based on the orientation of the cars, the
biker appears to have been doored because I don't see any traffic or road
hazards (potholes). Another troublesome aspect (though I could be wrong) is
that automobile owners insurance covers accidents while drivers ride their
bicycles but bicyclists who don't own automobiles don't have similar
protections. Similarly, motorcycle riders are covered by their vehicle
policy for accidents caused by others but not bicyclists. I don't think the
intent was to demean bicyclists but it does show their ignorance of the
hazards cyclists face. It must have been hard to select an image of showing
the risks of not having health insurance (they could have shown someone
being evicted from their home after the  hospital placed a lean on their
property because of someone in the family requiring expensive medical
treatments). I have to admit though that it's important for cyclists to have
health insurance coverage if they are to ride in the city, just as it's
important to wear a helmet (oh no, hear comes the wrath of BCM ) and a light
at night. 

 

From: bostoncriticalmass-bounces at bostoncriticalmass.org
[mailto:bostoncriticalmass-bounces at bostoncriticalmass.org] On Behalf Of
Jeffrey Rosenblum
Sent: Friday, March 28, 2008 3:33 PM
To: list at bostoncriticalmass.org
Subject: [*BCM*] WANTED: photo of the new "health insurance" bus campign of
hit cyclist

 

All, 

 

The Massachusetts Health Connector, an arm of the MA Department of Health
and Human Services, just released an advertizement campaigh for health
insurance, but picked an absolutely abhorrent image which absolutely sends
the wrong message about health and transportation. Having a bus riding
around Boston looking as if it has just run over a bicyclist is counter
productive. This is an assault on the bicycling community and will not be
tolerated. Especially with the Secretary of Transportation Cohen and
Secretaty of Health Bigby recently collaborating about the connections
between health and transportation, and a commitment for their agencies to
better collaborate, this is an embarassment. 

 

Below is one of the campaign posters inside the MBTA subway cars: 

http://livablestreets.info/files/healthadbike1.jpg

 

I hear rumor there is one (presumably more) MBTA buses with a "wraparound"
advertizement that shows an image similar to the one above, but it looks
like the real bus has just run over a bicyclist. I NEED A PHOTOGRAPH OF THIS
ASAP! If anyone can snap a photo with your phone or camera and email it to
me, that would be great. And the first person who does I will thank them
with a free "ditch your car" T-shirt.

http://www.livablestreets.info/node/672

 

LivableStreets Alliance is working hard to resolve this issue asap and have
this advertizing campaign recalled.

 

Thanks!

Jeff

Co-founder and President

LivableStreets Alliance

livablestreets.info

 

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