"Hello ladies..." The New York Dept. of Transportation just launched a campaign, called " Don't be a jerk ." DOT's "Don't Be A Jerk" bike safety ad campaign humorously highlights essential dos and don'ts of safe, responsible riding that are crucial to keeping New York City's streets as safe as they can be for everyone using them, including cyclists. The ads convey the need for bicyclists to follow the rules of the road, including always yielding to pedestrians; riding with traffic, not against it; and riding on the street, not on the sidewalks (unless rider is age 12 or younger). "Don't Be a Jerk" is part of DOT's larger Bike Smart initiative, which includes the Bike Smart Pledge and the "LOOK" ad campaign, designed to educate cyclists and other road users about sharing the streets and roadways safely. According to DOT's 2010 Sustainable Streets Index, commuter cycling increased 262% in New York City from 2000 to 2010. More after the jump.