drlogik 

Same here but I fully realize that some people view us as "Cyclists" but I also will say that, in part, it's because a minority of cyclists that actually do act poorly on the road and have a terrible attitude. They make it difficult for all of us.

Eric F 

Being a dad is part of who I am. Being a grandfather...brother...son...husband...friend...are all part of who I am. Being a musician is part of who I am, and so is being a cyclist. All of us are an amalgam of multiple things. Although I drive more frequently than I ride my bikes, I don't consider myself a "driver" in the same way I consider myself a "cyclist". Cycling is activity I am passionate about, I think about when I'm not doing it (exemplified by my level of participation on BF), and rates pretty high on my priority list of activities. I drive because it's necessary in my life. I don't dislike driving, and sometimes it can be enjoyable, but if I have a couple hours of free time to do what I want, I'm not going out for a drive just for the joy of driving. I'm getting one of my bikes, or playing one of my guitars. (IMO, YMMV)

genejockey 

Well, they make it difficult for the rest of us only in the sense that shallow, stupid people lump us in with them and make us answerable for the actions of that minority of cyclists.

livedarklions

Honestly, I think that last stuff is nonsense. I see drivers who act badly much more frequently than I ever encounter cyclists doing so, I think part of the problem is that actually encountering the misbehavior of individual cyclists is such a relatively rare event that people actually remember it, while rude and dangerous driving is so commonplace it doesn't even register.

LarrySellerz

Actually I got notjustbikes confused with pathlesspedaled so yeah I was pretty lost.

genejockey 

In Group/Out Group, or Default/Variant, if you will.

indyfabz

Similar names, so I can understand that.

Wildwood 

Haven't read all the posts, but at least one broken collarbone is required to be a cyclist, two broken to be a 'real' cyclist.

seypat

I take all my aluminum and other stuff to the recycling center. Would that make me a re al cyclist?

nomadmax 

I go a step further, I am a "Proficient Cyclist".

Eric F 

I used to ride, I stopped for a long time, then I started riding again. I'm a re-cyclist.

prj71

I cycled a bunch over the holiday weekend. I felt dehumanized.

bbbean 

I don't believe we are. Your point is valid that we are more sensitive to it on an unprotected bike, but the fact is that a certain number of drivers are careless and/or unsafe, and a small number of them are aggressively so. As humans, we tend to register the exception to the rule more than the actual rate of occurence, so we focus on the occasional unsafe jerk and fail t notice that the vast majority of road users are simply going about their business in a relatively safe manner.
FWIW, that works the other way, too. Drivers see dozens/hundreds/thousands of cyclists a year. They don't remember the ones who simply ride where they're going, operate safely, and obey the law. They notice the ones who run red lights, weave through traffic, slow them down, or yell at drivers. C'est la vie.

livedarklions

If you're fully stopped, are you actually cycling?




For the humor impaired--I know what "full stop" really means. That's the joke.

rsbob 

What’s it mean? You probably aren’t great at team sports. Have limited coordination compared to other high skill sports. Might be more cerebral than the average bear. Have a decent income. Might be more of a loner or shy. Enjoy alone time. Don’t care much about what others think of your ‘sport’. Maybe highly competitive or just enjoy a relaxing ride. Fairly well educated. Are a risk taker, to a limited degree. Enjoy achievement.

That list should provide lots of controversy and dissent which is why I put it out there. But it may also have a few kernels of truth. I won’t even bother to defend the list. Have at it.