Program

Guide

Our Mission:

To educate and inspire all road users

toward safe behavioral change and to
encourage personal responsibility.
Please BE KIND to Cyclists is pleased to add to your instructional
toolbox, an educational video promoting safety for both motorists
and cyclists.
This video, titled DriveKind RideKind, was jointly developed
by Please BE KIND to Cyclists and the Texas Department of
Transportation (TxDOT) to promote safe driving practices by
motorists as they share Texas roads with vulnerable road users such
as cyclists and pedestrians.
Please BE KIND to Cyclists developed the DriveKind RideKind video
under a TxDOT grant, specifically for: driver education instruction and
schools, defensive driving classes, commercial driving schools, law
enforcement academies in Texas, as well as the general public.
The DriveKind RideKind video is correlated to the Texas Education
Agencys (TEA) Program of Organized Instruction for Driver Education
and Traffic Safety.
Instructors, school owners, administrators and the general public are
welcome and encouraged to view, download and share the DriveKind
RideKind video at no cost at DriveKindRideKind.org.

Curriculum - Program Guide

Section 1 :
Section 2:
Section 3:
Section 4:
Section 5:
Section 6:
Section 7:

A True Story
Awareness
Infrastructure
Distractions
Crashes
Sharing the Road
Personal Responsibility

TEA Program of Organized Instruction (POI)

for Driver Education and Traffic Safety
POI 1.1.1:
POI 1.1.3:
POI 1.1.5:
POI 1.1.7:
POI 3.1.1:
POI 4.1.1:
POI 4.1.2:
POI 4.1.3:
POI 5.1.1:
POI 5.1.2:
POI 6.1.1:
POI 7.1.1:
POI 7.1.2:
POI 9.1.1:
POI 12.1:

Introduction (legal and responsible reduced-risk driving practices)

Right-of-Way
Controlling Traffic Flow
Cooperating with Other Roadway Users
Visual Attention, Mental Attention and Communication
Driving Practices
Fatigue
Aggressive Driving
Risk Factors
Space Management
Environmental Characteristics
Distractions
Multi-task Performances
Adverse Weather and Reduced Visibility Conditions
Personal Responsibility

Video Segments

A True Story

Engage viewers by making

an emotional connection
through a personal story.
The fatal consequences of motorist/
cyclist crashes is brought to light
with the tragic death of Gregory and
Alexandra Bruehler. Gregorys father,
along with his wife, bravely discuss
their son and daughter-in-laws beautiful life leading up to that harrowing day.
They tell the story of learning about the crash and the difficulty of having to tell
their granddaughter, then age six, her mother and father would not be coming
home again.

POIs Covered:

1.1.1 D; 1.1.7 E; 3.1.1 D, I; 5.1.1 A

Class Discussion:

What are all the possible ramifications of these types of crashes?

Emphasis On:

Humanize cyclists; consequences of crashes.

Key Takeaway:

Motorists/cyclists crashes can be avoided.

Awareness

Share Texas laws related to

cyclists
Vulnerable road users, such as cyclists,
represent a growing group on our
roadways, but why do people chose to
ride their bicycles in the first place? This
segment asks individuals what led them
to become cyclists and discusses the laws that cyclists are required to follow. It also
reveals motorists point of view of commuter cyclists and offers a pleasant surprise at
the amount of drivers who are okay sharing the road with cyclists.
POIs Covered:

1.1.7 A, C, D, E; 3.1.1 A, D, I, M; 4.1.3; 5.1.1 A

Class Discussion:

Why do some motorists feel aggressive towards cyclists on the road?

Emphasis On:

Share statistics related to cyclists and motorists; recommendations

for driving safely when cyclists and other vulnerable roadway users
are present; expect to see other roadway users.

Key Takeaway:

Vulnerable Roadway Users are defined as people at more

risk than motor vehicle occupants -- they potentially bear the
greatest burden of injury.

Infrastructure

Teach viewers what

markings on the roadways
indicate and how they can
identify them
As cycling becomes more and more
popular, it is important to learn how
to properly utilize infrastructure
designed to keep cyclists safe.
Whether you are on two wheels or four, it is necessary to know the different
symbols and signage that tell the safest practices for different roads; having
complete understanding of these signs allow motorists and cyclists to share
the road with mutual respect.
POIs Covered:

3.1.1 H, 3.1.1 J, 5.1.1

Class Discussion:

What are the safest practices for operating a motor vehicle

around cyclists?

Emphasis On:

Discuss roadway markings for cyclists.

Key Takeaway:

Both cyclists and motorists need to understand how bicycle

infrastructure functions so they can safely interact when using it.

Distractions

Identify common
distractions while driving
and the potential results
This segment of the video is a
scripted scene showing different
types of distractions drivers often
submit themselves to. The four
main types of distractions (manual,
auditory, visual, and cognitive) are highlighted and show how they all,
especially when combined, can have somber consequences.
POIs Covered:

3.1.1 D, I; 5.1.1 A; 7.1.1 A, B

Class Discussion:

Why are people more willing to ignore their phone in a movie

theater or airplane than on the road?

Emphasis On:

Review how distractions can be eliminated.

Key Takeaway:

Eliminate risk by eliminating distractions.

Crashes

Explain the different

types of motorist/cyclist
crashes
This segment depicts the most
common types of motorist/cyclist
crashes, how they occur, and what
should be done to avoid them. It
also shows the difference in size
between motorists and cyclists and how high the risk of serious injury is for cyclists
when involved in crashes.
POIs Covered:

1.1.3 A, E, F; 1.1.7 D

Class Discussion:

Why are cyclists more vulnerable than motorists when using the
road?

Emphasis On:

Avoidable collisions.

Key Takeaway:

An extra couple of seconds to double check for a cyclists on

the road can save a life.

Sharing the Road

Identify bike laws and

best practices

In this segment, a motorist

shares the proper techniques
and thought processes motorists
should follow to safely share
the road with vulnerable road
users. This segment also details
the safe passing ordinance
that states the distances cars and commercial vehicles should keep when passing
cyclists on the road.

POIs Covered:

1.1.7 A, D; 4.1.1 A, C, H; 5.1.2 E

Class Discussion:

If your best friend was riding their bike in traffic, how would you
want the drivers around them to behave?

Emphasis On:

What should be the thought process when you see a cyclists on

the road.

Key Takeaway:

Establish the need to take personal responsibility.

Personal
Responsibility

Educate the need to train

the brain to recognize
unfamiliar shapes such
as people on bicycles;
emphasize all key
objectives indicated
throughout the entire video and leave viewers with a positive
vision of the future.
Though we all like to believe we are capable of multitasking, the truth is the more
tasks our brain focuses on, the less able we are to properly perform each of those
tasks. Taking personal responsibility for our actions behind the wheel is the first
step in making our roadways safer for all who use them. Participants in the video
share their hopes and visions for a future where all road users are educated and
inspired to make a safe behavioral change and encouraged to take personal
responsibility.
POIs Covered:

1.1.5 H; 1.1.7 E; 3.1 G, N; 4.1.1 A, F, H; 4.1.2 D; 5.1.1 A, B;

5.1.2 A; 7.1.1 A, B, E, H; 7.1.2 B, F; 12.1.2 A, C

Class Discussion:

Current event, consequences of distracted driving.

Emphasis On:

Eliminating distractions, awareness and personal responsibility.

Key Takeaway:

If you drive, you are responsible for all choices you make on
the road; environmental factors, controllable or not, always
need to be considered when getting behind the wheel.

Video Section Correlated to Applicable Lessons

from Texas Education Agencys Program of
Organized Instruction, November 2009
Segment

1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Section Title

Applicable Lessons

TEA-POI

A TRUE STORY

Humanize cyclists;
consequences of crashes

1.1.1 D
1.1.7 E
3.1.1 D
3.1.1 I
5.1.1 A

AWARENESS

Share Texas laws related

to cyclists

1.1.7 A
1.1.7 D
3.1.1 A
3.1.1 I
4.1.3

INFRASTRUCTURE

Teach viewers what

markings on the
roadways indicate
and how they can be
identified

3.1.1 H
3.1.1 J
5.1.1

DISTRACTIONS

Identify common
distractions while driving

3.1.1 D
3.1.1 I
5.1.1 A
7.1.1 A
7.1.1 B

CRASHES

Explain the different

types of motorist/cyclist
crashes

1.1.3 A
1.1.3 E
1.1.3 F
1.1.7 D

SHARING THE ROAD

Identify bike laws and

best practices

1.1.7 A
1.1.7 D
4.1.1 A
4.1.1 C
4.1.1 H
5.1.2 E

PERSONAL
RESPONSIBILITY

Train the brain to

recognize unfamiliar
shapes such as people
on bikes; emphasize all
key objectives indicated
throughout the entire
video and leave viewers
with a positive vision of
the future

1.1.5 H
1.1.7 E
3.1.1 G
3.1.1 N
4.1.1 A
4.1.1 F
4.1.1 H
4.1.2 D
5.1.1 A
5.1.1 B

1.1.7 C
1.1.7 E
3.1.1 D
3.1.1 M
5.1.1 A

5.1.2 A
7.1.1 A
7.1.1 B
7.1.1 E
7.1.1 H
7.1.2 B
7.1.2 F
12.1.2 A
12.1.2 C

Bicycle Laws from the

Texas Transportation Code

A person operating a bicycle has the rights and

duties applicable to a driver operating a vehicle
Texas Transportation Code, Title 7. Vehicles & Traffic,
Sec. 551.101 Rights & Duties

Bicyclists have the rights and duties of other

vehicles, cars and trucks
Cars are required to yield right-of-way to a bicycle
Bicyclists must:
Ride as near to the right as practicable
Ride in the same direction as traffic
Bicyclists may ride two abreast in a lane
Stop at stop signs and red lights
Signal while turning and stopping
Use a white light on the front and red reflector
or red light on the back for night riding

Notes

Resources
Please BE KIND to Cyclists
www.BEKINDtoCyclists.org
www.facebook.com/PleaseBEKINDtoCyclists
Texas Department of Transportation, Driver Resources
www.txdot.gov/driver.html
Texas Transportation Code, Title 7. Vehicles & Traffic,
Sec. 551, Operation of Bicycles
www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/docs/tn/htm/tn.551.htm
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Bicycle Resources
www.nhtsa.gov/Bicycles
Texas Department of Transportation, Bicycle Resources
www.txdot.gov/driver/share-road/bicycles.html
Texas Safe Routes to Schools
www.txsaferoutes.org/
Texas Education Agencys Education Service Center, Region XIII,
Driver Training Division
www4.esc13.net/drivers/
Texas Education Agencys Program of Organized Instruction for
Driver Education and Traffic Safety - November 2009
www4.esc13.net/uploads/drivers/docs/instructionalobjectives_1.pdf
Texas Commission on Law Enforcement,
Academy Training Providers
www.tcleose.state.tx.us/content/training_providers_academy.cfm
Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Commercial Driver Education
www.dmv.org/tx-texas/cdl-education.php
Texas Department of Public Safety Driver Licensing
www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/
Texas Department of Public Safety Commercial Driver Licensing
www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/CommercialLicense.htm
Official US Government Website on Distracted Driving
Distraction.Gov
Smart Growth America, Dangerous by Design 2014
www.smartgrowthamerica.org/research/dangerous-by-design/dbd2014/
regional-data/

10

Please BE KIND to Cyclists members work with cyclists, motorists, policy-makers, and
community members to raise awareness and promote mutual respect between drivers and
cyclists on the road, creating healthier and more harmonious communities.

The TxDOT Traffic Operations Division has developed safety campaigns to

raise awareness about safe driving, sharing the road, ensuring the safety of kids
and teens, and traveling in inclement weather, among others.

For more information contact:

Lydia Bryan-Valdez
TxDOT Traffic Safety Program
Manager/ CTCM/ Paralegal
TxDOT Traffic Operations Division,
Traffic Safety Section
125 East 11th Street
Austin, Texas 78704
512-416-3243

Pat Bastidas
DriveKind RideKind Program Manager
Please BE KIND to Cyclists
805 W. 10th Street
Suite 300
Austin, Texas 78701
512-716-8955

DriveKindRideKind.org