Relationship Between Language and Risk

In an article written in the Washington Post, a writer made a plea to put more responsibility on drivers when it comes to cyclist safety by saying, "Don't make bicycles more visible make cars stop running them over."

Society seems to think that all accidents involving bikes are the cyclists' fault. The stressing of helmet safety is a way to shift all responsibility to the biker. Other "safety" implemets, such as reflective clothing, prove that cyclists are not treated equally to cars. It is obvious that cyclists are losing equal access to the road, putting them at great risk.

After analyzing several readings, it is clear that there is perceived risks to all those involved in the competition for the streets. Cars feel that they are at risk of facing more traffic due to bicycles, while bikes face risks involving safety issues as well as constant ridicule from pedestrians. All of these different definitions and understandings of perceived risks prove the point made by Slovic that risk is inherently subjective and changes from person to person.

Along those lines, another article focused on People for Bikes in Seattle, analyzes the language used that could potential help reduce the risks presented to cyclists. As stated before, many people get very passionate when discussing bicycles and their place on the road. This biking group in Seattle was able to overcome these setbacks by changing the way they refer to cycling issues. For example, instead of saying, "cyclists," they say, "people biking." By doing so, the level of risk is reduced because people are able to see each individual cyclist as a person deserving respect.

The simple solution of changing the way something is phrased so that it is more polite, personal, and respectful shows that rational and logical people have great potential to shape the conversation about cars and bicycles. By avoiding any emotional rage or outbursts of any kind, the People for Biking were effectively able to actually start a genuine conversation without being shouted over and disputed against.