Do People Stare at You When You Ride?
#1
Banned
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 546
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Do People Stare at You When You Ride?
I have to admit, I really enjoy the attention.
When I ride my road bike, I am fully kitted out. Neon jersey, windblox, wide oversized sunglasses, fancy shmancy looking clothing, helmet with flashlight atop at night, and a very eye catching bike.
My "hybrid" is very eye catching, too.
People constantly stare at me as I pass by. They will look right into my eyes, wide eyed and just stare as I pass. Some will literally stop and stare, slack jawed.
---
At stop lights, people ask me how much my bike cost and tell me how great it looks.
---
I admit, I stare at riders as they pass by as well when I go for walks. It seems so much faster and funner than walking!
Do people stare when you ride? What do you attribute this to?
When I ride my road bike, I am fully kitted out. Neon jersey, windblox, wide oversized sunglasses, fancy shmancy looking clothing, helmet with flashlight atop at night, and a very eye catching bike.
My "hybrid" is very eye catching, too.
People constantly stare at me as I pass by. They will look right into my eyes, wide eyed and just stare as I pass. Some will literally stop and stare, slack jawed.
---
At stop lights, people ask me how much my bike cost and tell me how great it looks.
---
I admit, I stare at riders as they pass by as well when I go for walks. It seems so much faster and funner than walking!
Do people stare when you ride? What do you attribute this to?
#6
Banned
World naked bike riding day ,, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Naked_Bike_Ride
#7
Galveston County Texas
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: In The Wind
Posts: 33,269
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
Liked 1,253 Times
in
629 Posts
I have to admit, I really enjoy the attention.
When I ride my road bike, I am fully kitted out. Neon jersey, windblox, wide oversized sunglasses, fancy shmancy looking clothing, helmet with flashlight atop at night, and a very eye catching bike.
My "hybrid" is very eye catching, too.
People constantly stare at me as I pass by. They will look right into my eyes, wide eyed and just stare as I pass. Some will literally stop and stare, slack jawed.
---
At stop lights, people ask me how much my bike cost and tell me how great it looks.
---
I admit, I stare at riders as they pass by as well when I go for walks. It seems so much faster and funner than walking!
Do people stare when you ride? What do you attribute this to?
When I ride my road bike, I am fully kitted out. Neon jersey, windblox, wide oversized sunglasses, fancy shmancy looking clothing, helmet with flashlight atop at night, and a very eye catching bike.
My "hybrid" is very eye catching, too.
People constantly stare at me as I pass by. They will look right into my eyes, wide eyed and just stare as I pass. Some will literally stop and stare, slack jawed.
---
At stop lights, people ask me how much my bike cost and tell me how great it looks.
---
I admit, I stare at riders as they pass by as well when I go for walks. It seems so much faster and funner than walking!
Do people stare when you ride? What do you attribute this to?
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
#11
In Real Life
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Liked 599 Times
in
331 Posts
Newbies often think everyone is looking at them.
What they don't realise is that everyone is so engrossed in their own lives (and often their smartphones), that no one sees anyone anymore.
Cyclists, in particular, wear a cloaking device. We are invisible. This does, of course, pose problems when we, in our invisible state, are located right where a vehicle wants to go.
What they don't realise is that everyone is so engrossed in their own lives (and often their smartphones), that no one sees anyone anymore.
Cyclists, in particular, wear a cloaking device. We are invisible. This does, of course, pose problems when we, in our invisible state, are located right where a vehicle wants to go.
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
#13
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,721
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
Liked 2,492 Times
in
1,287 Posts
I don't dress like a comic book superhero or dress like some flamboyant clown... I make sure to wear clothes which allow me to blend in with the crowd and not stand out, why make yourself a target ??, why dress in some provocative costume to attract unwanted attention ??
#14
Administrator
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Delaware shore
Posts: 13,564
Bikes: Cervelo C5, Guru Photon, Waterford, Specialized CX
Liked 2,242 Times
in
1,505 Posts
Newbies often think everyone is looking at them.
What they don't realise is that everyone is so engrossed in their own lives (and often their smartphones), that no one sees anyone anymore.
Cyclists, in particular, wear a cloaking device. We are invisible. This does, of course, pose problems when we, in our invisible state, are located right where a vehicle wants to go.
What they don't realise is that everyone is so engrossed in their own lives (and often their smartphones), that no one sees anyone anymore.
Cyclists, in particular, wear a cloaking device. We are invisible. This does, of course, pose problems when we, in our invisible state, are located right where a vehicle wants to go.
Fast forward a few years and I'm riding along when a car stopped. The driver just said he didn't see me. My thought was I did something wrong but after we talked, he was shocked he didn't see a cyclist and said he worried himself tgat he might hit one. I was dressed in bright colors in the mid day
#15
Administrator
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Delaware shore
Posts: 13,564
Bikes: Cervelo C5, Guru Photon, Waterford, Specialized CX
Liked 2,242 Times
in
1,505 Posts
I don't dress like a comic book superhero or dress like some flamboyant clown... I make sure to wear clothes which allow me to blend in with the crowd and not stand out, why make yourself a target ??, why dress in some provocative costume to attract unwanted attention ??
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: North West Arknasas
Posts: 575
Bikes: Allez/Motobecane 427HT & Ti/Soma Custom Build
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
2 Posts
I don't dress like a comic book superhero or dress like some flamboyant clown... I make sure to wear clothes which allow me to blend in with the crowd and not stand out, why make yourself a target ??, why dress in some provocative costume to attract unwanted attention ??
#17
Senior Member
Nah! I'm so fast I'm gone before they have a chance to look up.
Well, fairy tales like that should start out "Once upon a time. . . ."
Well, fairy tales like that should start out "Once upon a time. . . ."
__________________
Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
#18
Zip tie Karen
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Fair Oaks Ranch, TX
Posts: 7,004
Bikes: '13 Motobecane Fantom29 HT, '16 Motobecane Turino Pro Disc, '18 Velobuild VB-R-022, '21 Tsunami SNM-100
Liked 1,543 Times
in
807 Posts
I'm only hoping that drivers see me with enough time to avoid smacking me off the road or worse. Bike riders are nearly as common as joggers or walkers, but not as common as drivers. No, I suppose few people take notice of me. That's fine. I just want the driver who would become my killer to see me beforehand and steer clear...
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Columbia, SC
Posts: 2,977
Bikes: 2014 Cannondale Synapse Carbon 4 Rival; 2014 Cannondale Trail 7 29; 1972 Schwinn Suburban, 1996 Proflex 756, 1987(?) Peugeot, Dahon Speed P8; 1979 Raleigh Competition GS; 1995 Stumpjumper M2 FS, 1978 Raleigh Sports, Schwinn Prologue
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
The only I notice if someone sees me is when I try to make eye contact if approaching an intersection. I doubt anyone is staring...unless they also ride.
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Brazil (cold South)
Posts: 269
Bikes: 1995 Specialized Stumpjumper M2 / 2013 Caloi Carbon Elite 29er / 2015 Cannondale CAADX 105 / 2017 Specialized Roubaix Elite
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm pretty much invisible, be it on my commuter wearing civilian clothes or on the "race" bikes wearing full battle gear - cars never see me. If I want to be seen, especially at night, I turn the strobe on. In fact, on city streets, at night, cars get out of the way when I come behind them with the strobe at full blast.
One of these days I'll have to ride naked to see if I'm truly invisible.
One of these days I'll have to ride naked to see if I'm truly invisible.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Liked 3,109 Times
in
1,418 Posts
I think you would be surprised to know how little attention is paid by people you ride past. Get over yourself.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Zinj
Posts: 1,826
Bikes: '93 911 Turbo 3.6
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts