Cycling is....selfish?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 2,324
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Cycling is....selfish?
So my girlfriend and her friend came to the conclusion that cycling is selfish because they saw a bus full of people have to slow down behind a cyclist in the bus lane (cyclists are allowed to use bus lanes).
Now perhaps this could be considered slightly selfish behaviour, but I love how society has completely forgotten about how selfish driving is. No one comments on how all the cars are holding up loads of people in a bus. No one comments how there is usually only 1 person in a huge car.
Just another reason we need to move society away from being car-centric. If we could do this then maybe people will realise how selfish they have all been, driving their cars and taking up space, oil and polluting the atmosphere.
Daven
Now perhaps this could be considered slightly selfish behaviour, but I love how society has completely forgotten about how selfish driving is. No one comments on how all the cars are holding up loads of people in a bus. No one comments how there is usually only 1 person in a huge car.
Just another reason we need to move society away from being car-centric. If we could do this then maybe people will realise how selfish they have all been, driving their cars and taking up space, oil and polluting the atmosphere.
Daven
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Peters, Missouri
Posts: 30,225
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1572 Post(s)
Liked 643 Times
in
364 Posts
There's roughly 6 billion people in the world and every one of them has their own agenda. You're never going to make everyone happy. Some sage legislative body (surely not all of them cyclists) determined that allowing cyclists to use the bus lane was best for society. I think that it's pretty arrogant and self-centered of your girlfriend to think she's smarter than them.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 85
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Her concept of selfishness is a little *** backward. Not allowing multiple types of users on the road, due to occasional inconvenience, would be selfish.
"A red rose is not selfish because it wants to be a red rose. It would be horribly selfish if it wanted all the other flowers in the garden to be both red and roses." -oscar wilde (i think)
"A red rose is not selfish because it wants to be a red rose. It would be horribly selfish if it wanted all the other flowers in the garden to be both red and roses." -oscar wilde (i think)
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 2,324
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
True icebiker, and that is the point I am trying to raise here. That non-cyclists sometimes have a view that cycling is selfish - even though driving is more selfish. Just illustrating something else we have to defeat in our quest to get cycling recognised as a "normal" form of transport.
This should not be taken as an opportunity to be rude about my girlfriend, I'm sure many motorists have this view.
This should not be taken as an opportunity to be rude about my girlfriend, I'm sure many motorists have this view.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Merrick, NY
Posts: 822
Bikes: 2009 Mercier Galaxy (custom build), 2008 Argon 18 Mercury
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Cycling is selfish********** Has she driven a car lately?
From speed demon in his BMW tearing through traffic at 100 MPH to "dad" or "grand dad" in his anonymous Toyota Camry or Honda Accord going 20 mph below the speed limit because thats the speed HE feels everyone should go and HE knows best for everyone, to the greenie in the Toyota Prius "hypermilling" in the left lane of the freeway ****ing up everyone else's commute.
I'm sure a keen bus driver can find his way around a Cyclist, as well I would hope most cyclists have the courtesy to allow the bus through. Yeah you probably get an occasional prick who won't but at least In my experience with cyclists and bus lanes, and road lanes as well I just don't see this as being a large problem? Is it really?
From speed demon in his BMW tearing through traffic at 100 MPH to "dad" or "grand dad" in his anonymous Toyota Camry or Honda Accord going 20 mph below the speed limit because thats the speed HE feels everyone should go and HE knows best for everyone, to the greenie in the Toyota Prius "hypermilling" in the left lane of the freeway ****ing up everyone else's commute.
I'm sure a keen bus driver can find his way around a Cyclist, as well I would hope most cyclists have the courtesy to allow the bus through. Yeah you probably get an occasional prick who won't but at least In my experience with cyclists and bus lanes, and road lanes as well I just don't see this as being a large problem? Is it really?
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Peters, Missouri
Posts: 30,225
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1572 Post(s)
Liked 643 Times
in
364 Posts
Yeah, we say that over here too. However, over an extended period of time, The American Government always does the right thing - after they've tried everything else. Winston Churchill said that.
#8
Bike addict, dreamer
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Queens, New York
Posts: 5,165
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yes, cycling is selfish as heck: you're on a bike getting a workout, enjoying yourself, having fun, skipping traffic jams while everybody is else is miserable sweating packed on a smelly bus or subway train.
Adam
Adam
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 2,324
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Cycling is selfish********** Has she driven a car lately?
From speed demon in his BMW tearing through traffic at 100 MPH to "dad" or "grand dad" in his anonymous Toyota Camry or Honda Accord going 20 mph below the speed limit because thats the speed HE feels everyone should go and HE knows best for everyone, to the greenie in the Toyota Prius "hypermilling" in the left lane of the freeway ****ing up everyone else's commute.
I'm sure a keen bus driver can find his way around a Cyclist, as well I would hope most cyclists have the courtesy to allow the bus through. Yeah you probably get an occasional prick who won't but at least In my experience with cyclists and bus lanes, and road lanes as well I just don't see this as being a large problem? Is it really?
From speed demon in his BMW tearing through traffic at 100 MPH to "dad" or "grand dad" in his anonymous Toyota Camry or Honda Accord going 20 mph below the speed limit because thats the speed HE feels everyone should go and HE knows best for everyone, to the greenie in the Toyota Prius "hypermilling" in the left lane of the freeway ****ing up everyone else's commute.
I'm sure a keen bus driver can find his way around a Cyclist, as well I would hope most cyclists have the courtesy to allow the bus through. Yeah you probably get an occasional prick who won't but at least In my experience with cyclists and bus lanes, and road lanes as well I just don't see this as being a large problem? Is it really?
#10
Sprockette
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Canada
Posts: 5,503
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
It's like when people say you're selfish because you don't want kids. Yeah...as opposed to stupid teenagers who get pregnant or women who oops to trap men into marriage? LOL
__________________
You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. That's great...if you want to attract vermin.
You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. That's great...if you want to attract vermin.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Long Beach,CA
Posts: 1,410
Bikes: Kona Ute, Nishiki 4130, Trek 7000, K2 Mach 1.0, Novara Randonee, Schwinn Loop, K2 Zed 1.0, Schwinn Cream, Torker Boardwalk
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
+10,000
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Beautiful Long Beach California
Posts: 3,589
Bikes: Eddy Merckx San Remo 76, Eddy Merckx San Remo 76 - Black Silver and Red, Eddy Merckx Sallanches 64 (2); Eddy Merckx MXL;
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 143 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
So, your ex-girlfriend thinks cyclists are selfish? I hope you set her straight.
#13
Time for a change.
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: 6 miles inland from the coast of Sussex, in the South East of England
Posts: 19,913
Bikes: Dale MT2000. Bianchi FS920 Kona Explosif. Giant TCR C. Boreas Ignis. Pinarello Fp Uno.
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
4 Posts
I'll agree with the girlfriend. Cyclists think they have a right to be on the road. Never mind that in "London" or any other city in the UK - it is probably the fastest and most economic form of transport over 5 miles that there is. Probably over 10 miles to be honest. It is less polluting than any other transport so is probably helping to cut down on the noxious gases that are killing all city users over time. They are doing nothing to help the health insurance companies as they are keeping in better shape than most of the population and just think how much the petroleum comapanies and and car manufacturers are losing with cyclists sticking to their rights and using the roads and stopping your girlfriend from getting to work 10 seconds earlier.
__________________
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
#14
Senior Member
Busses? I watch my rear-view mirror and get out of the way of busses. Busses are a lot wider than private autos. I've gotten the heck scared out of me a couple of times, and now days I just pull up on the sidewalk and let the bus go by.
Yes, holding up a bus with 50 or 60 people onboard is selfish, and a good way to get yourself killed.
Yes, holding up a bus with 50 or 60 people onboard is selfish, and a good way to get yourself killed.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
Posts: 7,085
Bikes: Cervelo Prodigy
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 478 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 87 Times
in
67 Posts
Even though I might have the right of way, I would still consider the circumstances. In traffic, its about courtesy too. As cyclists we have learned to some degree to ride defensively. If it means the bus can go ahead of me, then by all means. To me, it would be a judgment call, case by case.
If I had the attitude that I had the absolute right to take up my lane, I might miss the big picture.
If I had the attitude that I had the absolute right to take up my lane, I might miss the big picture.
#16
Bike addict, dreamer
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Queens, New York
Posts: 5,165
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Busses? I watch my rear-view mirror and get out of the way of busses. Busses are a lot wider than private autos. I've gotten the heck scared out of me a couple of times, and now days I just pull up on the sidewalk and let the bus go by.
Yes, holding up a bus with 50 or 60 people onboard is selfish, and a good way to get yourself killed.
Yes, holding up a bus with 50 or 60 people onboard is selfish, and a good way to get yourself killed.
Adam
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 129
Bikes: Brompton
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm sure a keen bus driver can find his way around a Cyclist, as well I would hope most cyclists have the courtesy to allow the bus through. Yeah you probably get an occasional prick who won't but at least In my experience with cyclists and bus lanes, and road lanes as well I just don't see this as being a large problem? Is it really?
I've come to conclude that when humans are driving a vehicle, whether it's a car or a 40,000 lb bus, we want to get where we are going *NOW*. Getting that impulse under control is the key to safe and relatively stress-free driving, especially when there are cyclists around. Sadly, our car-crazy culture isn't very good at acknowledging this speed impulse, other than to encourage it. (Insert reference to sexy car commercials with people driving faster than they should).
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Beaufort, South Carolina, USA and surrounding islands.
Posts: 8,521
Bikes: Cannondale R500, Motobecane Messenger
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Warning: your girlfriend is agreeing with Jermey Clarkson.
#20
Day trip lover
Join Date: May 2009
Location: capital city of iowa
Posts: 813
Bikes: '16 Giant Escape 3 (fair weather ride), Giant Quasar (work in progress), 2002 saturn vue (crap weather ride)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
So my girlfriend and her friend came to the conclusion that cycling is selfish because they saw a bus full of people have to slow down behind a cyclist in the bus lane (cyclists are allowed to use bus lanes).
Now perhaps this could be considered slightly selfish behaviour, but I love how society has completely forgotten about how selfish driving is. No one comments on how all the cars are holding up loads of people in a bus. No one comments how there is usually only 1 person in a huge car.
Just another reason we need to move society away from being car-centric. If we could do this then maybe people will realise how selfish they have all been, driving their cars and taking up space, oil and polluting the atmosphere.
Daven
Now perhaps this could be considered slightly selfish behaviour, but I love how society has completely forgotten about how selfish driving is. No one comments on how all the cars are holding up loads of people in a bus. No one comments how there is usually only 1 person in a huge car.
Just another reason we need to move society away from being car-centric. If we could do this then maybe people will realise how selfish they have all been, driving their cars and taking up space, oil and polluting the atmosphere.
Daven
#21
Insane Bicycle Mechanic
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: other Vancouver
Posts: 9,826
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 797 Post(s)
Liked 694 Times
in
371 Posts
Maybe Jeremy Clarkson is putting the make on his girlfriend.
(FWIW: Top Gear is pretty cool. Who else would drag race a Bugatti Veyron and a Eurofighter jet? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NZ9X9A2efA )
(FWIW: Top Gear is pretty cool. Who else would drag race a Bugatti Veyron and a Eurofighter jet? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NZ9X9A2efA )
__________________
Jeff Wills
Comcast nuked my web page. It will return soon..
Jeff Wills
Comcast nuked my web page. It will return soon..
#23
Banned.
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Southern california
Posts: 3,498
Bikes: Lapierre CF Sensium 400. Jamis Ventura Sport. Trek 800. Giant Cypress.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Truthfully we give ourselves far too much credit if we believe most motorists even think about us enough to think we are selfish. I have attended far too many public meetings and listen to too many traffic and parking planning commission meeting to believe the other 90 something percent of the public worries for the most part if a cyclist holds up a bus. However if you ask for a bike lane and it cuts down on parking in front of a few businesses downtown they will decide we aren’t worth thinking about at all.
Most people I talk to think we are cute, eccentric, energetic or strange. They will also feel sorry for you when it is 95-100 degrees outside and they are enclosed in an air conditioned car, bus or truck. Still very few people think we are selfish.
To me the only selfish cyclists I know ride on the wrong side of the street on the side walk rather than cross over the extra 80 to 100 feet to ride on the right side. Then only those of us who do ride on the right side might feel that way.
Most people I talk to think we are cute, eccentric, energetic or strange. They will also feel sorry for you when it is 95-100 degrees outside and they are enclosed in an air conditioned car, bus or truck. Still very few people think we are selfish.
To me the only selfish cyclists I know ride on the wrong side of the street on the side walk rather than cross over the extra 80 to 100 feet to ride on the right side. Then only those of us who do ride on the right side might feel that way.
#24
I am a caffine girl
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 1,815
Bikes: 2012 Stumpjumper FSR Comp...2010 Scott CR1 CF...2007 Novara FS Float2.0...2009 Specialized Hardrock Disc...2009 Schwinn Le Tour GSr
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I'll bet she will start commuting in a bike very soon.
#25
Alfredo Contador
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Where everybody knows my name
Posts: 431
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I think anything that is designed to satisfy one person is selfish. Therefore cycling being able to carry one person is selfish. However cycling is low-carbon footprint. A bus however carries more people to various destinations! Ergo, there should be a cyclo-bus where everyone pedals!
How brilliant of an idea!!!!
How brilliant of an idea!!!!