Some forgotten words:

WE hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness—That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

I don’t think we’re very close to the word “cyclist” being banned anywhere. I think the real question is, should we call ourselves cyclists? Should the media, sports commentators, our friends, family etc. call people who ride bikes cyclists? I’ve personally always hated that word, because until I started riding a bike, “cyclists” were just those annoying people who took themselves too seriously and slowed everyone down, and kept hitting cars and ending up underneath them. Not that I ever felt that way, but that’s overwhelmingly the tone/context in which that word was used. I still chafe quite a bit when someone calls me a cyclist, because there is some hardcore stereotyping and prejudice that is associated with that word.

So let’s not shut down the entire discussion by saying “people should be able to say what they want to say”. What should we want to say?

People should use words which clearly communicate the people's meanings? "Cyclist" happens to be the word people use to describe bicycle riders.

Tell me ... if we start start calling drivers "car operators," will there be less negative thinking about drivers on this site? Is it better to be buzzed by a "car operator" than a driver ... if you are "a person who rides a bicycle"? But hey ... I am not. I am a person who Sometimes rides a bicycle. This could get out of hand, one might think ... or one might think that it already has.

Look, i have mentioned a few times that the only real way to increase cycling safety, so long as bikes and cars have to share the road, is to mount a long-term public awareness campaign similar to that which changed drunk driving from comedy to criminal activity. Changing the word "cyclist" won't change how people think of people riding bikes on the road. Changing the way people think about people who ride bikes on the road will, however, remove the negative connotations currently attached to "cyclist." (But not all of them---fat old men in spandex are inherently comical and also unpleasant to have to see .... which is why I avoid the mirror before rides.)

This professor is an idiot. Banning a word will not change how people view the Behavior. Changing ho people view the behavior will take a long time but it can be done. Simplistic calls to ban words which most people don't even use in most conversations ... I bet "that idiot on a bike" is used more than "cyclist" by drivers ......

Change the thinking attached to the label, not the label. Tell people over and over on TV and the internet that cyclists are normal people (a lie but a necessary lie), that your kids ride bikes, that cyclists are actually making the world better for divers .... spend the time and energy retraining people and in a decade or two changes will be visible.

Sure is a good thing we ended racism by calling blacks "African-Americans."

I am a proud "Cycling-American." Now I am safe on the road.

I had read the article yesterday. No mention of not saying motorist. Of course, by the end of a weekend ride I am less than human. Sweaty, possibly road grime, smelly and hungry. Not to mention ready for a beer.

Oh those wacky Aussies, God bless them all.

Je suis vraiment un cycliste.