A Public Art + Bike Safety Campaign

Expect A Bike is brought to you by Artist Ryan Cronin and CronArtUSA, this GLOBAL initiative seeks to promote safety on the roadways by integrating visual art with purposeful messaging into public spaces and daily life.

How It Began

In September of 2016, cyclist Gabriela O’Shea was struck by a vehicle and suffered life-threatening injuries. The New Paltz community quickly gathered around Gabriela and her family and organized a fundraiser to aid in her recovery and to spark conversation between motorists and cyclists regarding bike safety. Artist Ryan Cronin offered to create a piece of art and sell it, with a portion of the sale going directly to Gabriela and her family to aid in her recovery. ‘Expect A Bike Ahead’ (EAB) was born, and the original was sold before the paint was dry to one of Cronin’s collectors.

The Evolution

Two years after Gabriela's accident, her father approached us to partner with him on a community supported public safety campaign. The creation of EAB lawn signs were originally done in collaboration with the Pedestrian/Cyclist committee of New Paltz. In subsequent years, the campaign has been funded by grants received through the Governor's Traffic and Safety Commission as well as sponsorships by local businesses. The partnerships enabled us to give the signs away for free, solidifying our core mission to remove all barriers to participation. Hundreds of lawn signs have been distributed since 2018. These signs can be seen along roadways throughout the county and are now a much beloved part of the visual landscape, encouraging motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians to look out for another. The EAB campaign is a unique opportunity for communities to combine resources to promote safety and encourage a more synergistic relationship between motorists and cyclists.

Be A Part Of The Art

The power of the Expect A Bike painting lies in the act of collaboration with the community and the social by-product more than in the physical work itself. In essence, the social interaction is the art, and the impact of the project goes beyond the original piece. We didn't set out to create a sign, but this, like all of Ryan's work, is intended to provoke conversation and connection. We invite you to join us and bring EAB to your community. Drop us a line, and we will tell you how it works!

Join The Movement

I am an 18 year Bike MS rider and just wanted to say THANK YOU for the Route 'Expect a Bike' Safety Signs!!! I participate in the Orlando / Mid-Florida Bike MS Citrus Tour and Eden Quayle and the team do a tremendous job taking care of us, but I think these signs are an additional ’step up’ helping inform drivers to be more alert.

 I know several riders who over the years have been expressing growing concerns about safety and riding on our roads (not just the Bike MS, but day in/day out riding).  So as much as we can do to help keep the rides safe is wonderful.

 These signs are great! Thank you all for what you do for us!

John Armstrong -Team Captain -Bike MS

PARTNERSHIPS + COLLABORATIONS