Comments on: The Bike ‘Otherizes’ Us — Get Out and Bike http://www.commutebybike.com/2012/08/24/the-bike-otherizes-us-get-out-and-bike/ Tips, Hints, Reviews and Safety for Bike Commuters Mon, 20 May 2013 04:36:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Kwin http://www.commutebybike.com/2012/08/24/the-bike-otherizes-us-get-out-and-bike/comment-page-1/#comment-1157918 Kwin Sat, 01 Sep 2012 22:23:06 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=20869#comment-1157918 I totally understand where you are coming from. In my article on riding on the sidewalk, I mentioned my rule that if I wont ride there faster than I could go on foot. I would never forgive myself if I injured someone. As for bicyclists being threatening...we are for two reasons that I can see: 1) we challenge the social order that says transportation = cars. People are highly invested (monetarily and emotionally) in the current order, and challenges to it don't sit well with some. 2) we appear vulnerable. Just as you and I worry about injuring pedestrians, I think motorists are often worried about hurting us. Have you ever seen a parent loose track of a child in a store and then get angry at the child when they are re-united? The potential danger causes an emotional response. As for people yelling out the window of a passing truck, I can never understand what they say anyway, so I pretend they're being complimentary. I totally understand where you are coming from. In my article on riding on the sidewalk, I mentioned my rule that if I wont ride there faster than I could go on foot. I would never forgive myself if I injured someone.

As for bicyclists being threatening…we are for two reasons that I can see:

1) we challenge the social order that says transportation = cars. People are highly invested (monetarily and emotionally) in the current order, and challenges to it don’t sit well with some.

2) we appear vulnerable. Just as you and I worry about injuring pedestrians, I think motorists are often worried about hurting us. Have you ever seen a parent loose track of a child in a store and then get angry at the child when they are re-united? The potential danger causes an emotional response.

As for people yelling out the window of a passing truck, I can never understand what they say anyway, so I pretend they’re being complimentary.

]]> By: Patrick Perez http://www.commutebybike.com/2012/08/24/the-bike-otherizes-us-get-out-and-bike/comment-page-1/#comment-1149993 Patrick Perez Mon, 27 Aug 2012 16:45:13 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=20869#comment-1149993 Great timing on this post. Just yesterday morning, when I was driving (my car) to breakfast, I was stopped awaiting a chance to turn left onto a main street from a side street. Watching left, I saw an upcoming break in traffic (as well as to the right) about 10 seconds away. While I waited for the gap, a bike rider drvove past the front of my car, driving against oncoming traffic (there is no proper sidewalk on that street). He saw that I was at the intersection waiting to turn, and drove in front of me. Unfortunately, in my town, Tacoma, WA, I see bad cycling habits in probably ~40% of the riders on the road. Biggest offenders are riding on the sidewalks, riding at night w/o reflectors/lights/hi-vis clothing, riding the wrong direction, failures to observe lane rules, blowing through red lights/stop lights (not even Idaho stops, which while sensible aren't legal here). I guess I'm amazed there aren't more bike related injuries here. I'm not trying to blame victims here, I'm pointing out that a substantial percentage of cyclists are dangers to themselves. As a motorist, I value the predictability that traffic laws strive to create. And certainly a large percentage of motorists ignore important rules (would it kill them to signal all lane changes/turns?) But at least where I live, it is difficult to assume a cyclist's behavior can be predicted in the few seconds they are visible. I've witnessed dumb moves in riders of all ages/all types of equipment. I give a wide berth, but I know I'm in the vast minority. I do like the idea of penalties to a motorist being tied to gross vehicle weight. It astounds me how many drivers treat their giant SUVs as if they are Miatas. Patrick Great timing on this post. Just yesterday morning, when I was driving (my car) to breakfast, I was stopped awaiting a chance to turn left onto a main street from a side street. Watching left, I saw an upcoming break in traffic (as well as to the right) about 10 seconds away. While I waited for the gap, a bike rider drvove past the front of my car, driving against oncoming traffic (there is no proper sidewalk on that street). He saw that I was at the intersection waiting to turn, and drove in front of me.

Unfortunately, in my town, Tacoma, WA, I see bad cycling habits in probably ~40% of the riders on the road. Biggest offenders are riding on the sidewalks, riding at night w/o reflectors/lights/hi-vis clothing, riding the wrong direction, failures to observe lane rules, blowing through red lights/stop lights (not even Idaho stops, which while sensible aren’t legal here).

I guess I’m amazed there aren’t more bike related injuries here. I’m not trying to blame victims here, I’m pointing out that a substantial percentage of cyclists are dangers to themselves. As a motorist, I value the predictability that traffic laws strive to create. And certainly a large percentage of motorists ignore important rules (would it kill them to signal all lane changes/turns?) But at least where I live, it is difficult to assume a cyclist’s behavior can be predicted in the few seconds they are visible. I’ve witnessed dumb moves in riders of all ages/all types of equipment. I give a wide berth, but I know I’m in the vast minority.

I do like the idea of penalties to a motorist being tied to gross vehicle weight. It astounds me how many drivers treat their giant SUVs as if they are Miatas.

Patrick

]]> By: listenermark http://www.commutebybike.com/2012/08/24/the-bike-otherizes-us-get-out-and-bike/comment-page-1/#comment-1149286 listenermark Mon, 27 Aug 2012 00:48:23 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=20869#comment-1149286 "I actually believe that the more dangerous the vehicle you are operating, the more responsibility and circumspection you must bear — and the more deserving of scorn you are when you falter." I agree with the responsibility and circumspection relationship, but the scorn...not so much. You had a minor close call because you were distracted. It happens. No harm no foul. As cyclist we should remember that the guy in the Hummer that almost "insert primal anxiety here" probably didn't intend to endanger us. Let there be slack. “I actually believe that the more dangerous the vehicle you are operating, the more responsibility and circumspection you must bear — and the more deserving of scorn you are when you falter.”

I agree with the responsibility and circumspection relationship, but the scorn…not so much. You had a minor close call because you were distracted. It happens. No harm no foul. As cyclist we should remember that the guy in the Hummer that almost “insert primal anxiety here” probably didn’t intend to endanger us. Let there be slack.

]]> By: Brrr http://www.commutebybike.com/2012/08/24/the-bike-otherizes-us-get-out-and-bike/comment-page-1/#comment-1149190 Brrr Sun, 26 Aug 2012 21:36:29 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=20869#comment-1149190 I'm a proud "other". I don't see myself as an vehicular cyclist, or as a member of any movement, just someone who happens to be using a bike as a piece of exercise equipment. I know it sounds bad, but I really don't care how my riding habits reflect on others who might be riding. I'm just trying to get some exercise, and to get home safely. I’m a proud “other”. I don’t see myself as an vehicular cyclist, or as a member of any movement, just someone who happens to be using a bike as a piece of exercise equipment.

I know it sounds bad, but I really don’t care how my riding habits reflect on others who might be riding. I’m just trying to get some exercise, and to get home safely.

]]> By: Eugene bicyclist http://www.commutebybike.com/2012/08/24/the-bike-otherizes-us-get-out-and-bike/comment-page-1/#comment-1147961 Eugene bicyclist Sat, 25 Aug 2012 16:09:10 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=20869#comment-1147961 While it is risky to try to guess what people "might have done" I agree with your basic point, Ted. For some motorists--certainly not all--there seems to be something threatening about all these people on bikes. Like their whole way of life is being questioned. And maybe it is. The reaction though is to stereotype us and more or less assume we're all a bunch of jerks. Thanks for reading my post and spreading the link. I'm glad there was something in it that got you thinking. While it is risky to try to guess what people “might have done” I agree with your basic point, Ted. For some motorists–certainly not all–there seems to be something threatening about all these people on bikes. Like their whole way of life is being questioned. And maybe it is. The reaction though is to stereotype us and more or less assume we’re all a bunch of jerks.

Thanks for reading my post and spreading the link. I’m glad there was something in it that got you thinking.

]]> By: Jim Dowd http://www.commutebybike.com/2012/08/24/the-bike-otherizes-us-get-out-and-bike/comment-page-1/#comment-1147857 Jim Dowd Sat, 25 Aug 2012 14:36:41 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=20869#comment-1147857 Great post. Here is one from me on my local blog here in Gloucester MA trying to explain the differences between cyclists and drivers in a somewhat more aggressive, humorous manner. It's a small city and I'm a known quantity here. http://goodmorninggloucester.wordpress.com/2012/06/18/jim-dowd-humorous-bike-response/ Great post. Here is one from me on my local blog here in Gloucester MA trying to explain the differences between cyclists and drivers in a somewhat more aggressive, humorous manner. It’s a small city and I’m a known quantity here. http://goodmorninggloucester.wordpress.com/2012/06/18/jim-dowd-humorous-bike-response/

]]> By: BluesCat http://www.commutebybike.com/2012/08/24/the-bike-otherizes-us-get-out-and-bike/comment-page-1/#comment-1146690 BluesCat Sat, 25 Aug 2012 00:30:44 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=20869#comment-1146690 A few weeks ago, in the early predawn morning, I was driving the car to Starbucks. I would have been riding the bike if not for some other responsibilities I had that day. I was at an intersection, in the left-hand turn lane, blinded by the headlights of a truck which had just gone past me headed the other way. I began my turn and had to slam on the brakes to avoid running over a gal who was riding her bike through the crosswalk. In spite of the fact that she didn't have any lights on her cruiser, and in spite of the fact she was wearing dark, non-reflective clothing, I felt tremendously guilty. Oh, and she wasn't wearing a helmet either, which, as we all know, according to the news media, would have miraculously protected her if I had mowed her down with my Honda. *sigh* A few weeks ago, in the early predawn morning, I was driving the car to Starbucks. I would have been riding the bike if not for some other responsibilities I had that day. I was at an intersection, in the left-hand turn lane, blinded by the headlights of a truck which had just gone past me headed the other way. I began my turn and had to slam on the brakes to avoid running over a gal who was riding her bike through the crosswalk.

In spite of the fact that she didn’t have any lights on her cruiser, and in spite of the fact she was wearing dark, non-reflective clothing, I felt tremendously guilty.

Oh, and she wasn’t wearing a helmet either, which, as we all know, according to the news media, would have miraculously protected her if I had mowed her down with my Honda. *sigh*

]]> By: JaimeRoberto http://www.commutebybike.com/2012/08/24/the-bike-otherizes-us-get-out-and-bike/comment-page-1/#comment-1146411 JaimeRoberto Fri, 24 Aug 2012 20:37:07 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=20869#comment-1146411 You are being way too hard on yourself. You were driving slowly, stopped 10 feet from the family and let them cross in front of you. I don't see that you deserved scorn at all. I hope your family member gets well soon. You are being way too hard on yourself. You were driving slowly, stopped 10 feet from the family and let them cross in front of you. I don’t see that you deserved scorn at all.

I hope your family member gets well soon.

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