I just saw a commercial by Edgar Snyder about the 4 ft passing law... i don't know if this is new news, I only watch TV for the olympics, but that is awesome.
No TV here so I haven't seen it...can you give the gist of it?
I remember Edgar Snyder from when I was growing up in Erie. The commercial is permanently burned into my memory: "454-1288...454-1288...remember, there's no fee...unless WE...get money...for YOU!"
If I can sue everybody who doesn't give me four feet I am going to be rich I tell you, rich!
The best thing this is doing for us is publicity for the law.
391-2101 was the pgh number I thought. And 94-Edgar .
Too bad he is not genuine about the cause and only about the money. Either way free press is free press.
Link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qyq2la1KSk&list=PLAD81EC392BA07BFB&index=25&feature=plpp_video
I think thats him on the bike in the ad.
Someone should invite him to a Flock ride.
I do know that he does ride motorcycles. Also
when I was a messenger his wife was one of
the only people who tipped. There were
literally 5 clients who tipped every time, and
they were one of them.
well if that's not an endorsement that "we made it" i don't know what is
+1
I think his intentions are good and he has the money to run the ad. His office was just interviewed regarding the law and James Price's death.
I know it’s fun (and easy) to poke fun at lawyers, especially those that advertise on TV. But I really appreciate that his firm is running these ads. I think a lot of people will see these and will have no clue that there is a new four foot law. They might also think “holly shit! I could get sued” if they don’t follow the rule. Sometimes fear of lawyers is more scary than fear of (non existent) fines.
Can we send Edgar tickets to the bike Pgh party?
He was the first to advertise on TV in the area, and took PennDOT to the mat in a relatively infamous collision on the parkway north HOV lane.
He's the best and worst of motor vehicle accident lawyers.
@Marko: that was exactly my thought, too. I think most people equate Snyder with getting sued out of house and home. Sure, he sees a business opportunity, but I bet a large portion of people seeing the ads don't know the law exists.
Sometimes people need a carrot, and sometimes they need a stick, right?
The one thing I like about this is 99.9% of my co-worker do not know what the 4 foot passing law is, they have never heard of it, it's a good way of getting the word out.
i like it a lot. it almost doesn't even seem like an ad. more of a psa: hey, there's a new law. thanks, edgar!
Edgar snyder also does other psa type ads as well. Often encouraging people not to drink and drive around holidays or prom.
He does seem to have a small brocure on his site about some basic bike safety precautions, turn signaling instructions, and enumeration of some rights and responsibilities of cyclists.
The more information that can be exposed to the general public the better. Education is really important both for drivers and cyclists.
If only we could get the state to update the drivers tests to add more cycling related questions.
I forgot about those drunk driving ads.
@Benzo
When I took my driver's test at 17 I didn't even need to go through a stoplight. There's quite a lot that needs improvement with PennDOT.
They recently passed an ordinance in Berkley to limit bicycle harassment. Under the ordinance, violators may now be liable for three times the amount of damages incurred against the cyclist or $1,000, whichever is greater. Drivers could also be liable for attorney’s fees and any costs incurred from filing the suit.
I understand they are considering this ordinance in DC and a few other cities.
http://www.dailycal.org/2012/02/16/ordinance-to-limit-bicycle-harrassment-takes-effect/
@orionz06
Eh, can't he be both? I mean I for example appreciate financial security and I also genuinely care about not just the safety of cyclists, but everyone on the road.
Thinking about it more I suspect he is. My guess is that he is also genuinely a motorcyclist as well. Makes sense to me. The rarity we are seeing is where passion and business line up together. Just doesn't happen often and seems fake when it does.
I like this! Regardless if is money-related or whatever! It is a PSA to anyone who watches the commercial or visits his website that hitting cyclists is AGAINST the law, and are protected by it!
I definitely like the link he has regarding bicycle info:
http://www.edgarsnyder.com/bicycle/index.html
I've heard from various secondhand sources that Snyder is actually a pretty good guy, and treats his employees and family pretty well.
And even if he were a putz, hey, free bike/car safety PSA.
His house was well known in the area for handing out the best halloween candy growing up. Regular sized chocolate bars, none of that "fun size" dum-dum crap the other ritzy houses liked to offer.
He always seemed like a decent guy to me, him putting out a PSA like this just reinforces that belief. I'd still hate to try and defend myself (or pay someone else to) against one of his clients, but that doesn't make him a bad person, just a good lawyer.
I just sent a thank you email to his website with a link to this thread. I think his commercials will be a tremendous educational tool for the 4-foot rule.
So if you have been reading this thread but haven’t posted your thoughts, please do so soon. Hopefully he will follow the link.
In that case, I'd better link to this thread in here:
http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/educating-drivers-about-cyclists-on-the-road-can-we-get-pat-transit-to-do-it
As for the PSA you saw on television...yes, that is me and my wife riding on bicycles. We are both avid bicyclists, and in light of the recent tragic bicycle deaths, we plan to commit more resources to educating the public about the “4-foot cushion” law. We plan to air the TV spot more and are looking at other media, including outdoor boards and PAT buses. Over 30 bike shops in the area have also been kind enough to offer a brochure we put together that includes a safety checklist, bicycle laws, and other information. Here’s a link: http://www.edgarsnyder.com/pdf/bicycle.pdf. We also had a great intern this summer who put together a helpful video on bicycle safety. Please feel free to share them. Ride safely!
Kick ass. My apologies for doubting.
@edgarsnyder - Thanks for the support!
If you do revise the brochure in the future, it would be nice to put in a bit about using lights if you ride at night on the safety checklist.
@Benzo
Thank you for the advice, and we likely will in the future. Many of our other resources mention wearing fluorescent colors and reflective strips, as well as having a headlight and blinking tail light.
YES!!!! Mr Snyder!!!!
Thank you for your interest in cyclists -BUT also for being a cyclist yourself!!! After all the recent fatalities, to hear you are concerned as well and want to contribute to the solution, makes me (and I think everyone) feel abit better!
If you do advertising on PAT buses, a graphic like this could be adapted to your business needs & local Pgh laws/concerns -who I think could impact a LONG way!
Let BikePgh -or I myself know, if you want help or feedback!
My email is: bikeygirlpgh -at- gmail.com
Thank you!!!
@bikeygirl
Thank you for the idea and for your kind words. I know that if I were behind a bus and saw this, I'd be reminded of the four-foot rule. We're looking into more PSA opportunities like this.
@Mr Snyder
No -Thank you! Like I said, BikePgh and I think everyone in the BikePgh Message Boards has ideas about how to help and hopefully educate both drivers & cyclists.
Please keep us posted! And as I said, if needed, I would love to help your initiative, or be a liason of some sort.
Hopefully we will see you this sunday at the "PedalPgh" ride!
is edgarsnyder a BikePGH member?
Very cool.
Thanks for posting Edgar and thanks for the awesome ad! you might be our first celebrity poster
Thanks for the support, Edgar!
I am impressed.
Thank you, Mr. Snyder. Very much appreciated!
+1 Edgar
Impressed indeed.
Edgar Snyder = awesome. Thank you!
Edgar, thanks so much for all you've done recently for Pittsburgh bicyclists. Please feel free to give me a call or send an email to talk more about partnering on these important awareness campaigns.
What about a t-shirt that says the same thing as that bus and has Edger's picture on the bottom of your back. In other words the 4' "Defend Life" on the top of the back of the shirt and Edgar's picture underneath. Would anyone wear it? Don't know.
Thanks everyone for the kind words and ideas. We are happy to get the word out about the 4-foot law. @Scott -- our Communications Director, Lisa, will call you on Monday to talk about more we can do to boost awareness.
I'd totally wear an Edgar Snyder shirt. That would have some serious local cache like an old-school kennywood or Paulsen and Kren shirt or something. I'd have to pair it with something from Pants n' 'At to complete the wardrobe.
(I would really wear it, I'm being serious)
I was going to say "I'm going to have a slightly different impression the next time I see his bald head somewhere around the city"
