I've just got to get this off my chest

[starphire]

For hundreds of millions of people, some of them living even in wealthy parts of this country such as Boston, bicycling is a essential mode of transportation, every bit as crucial to their quality of life as a car is to other people

Comments

[dimers]

I get funny looks for saying that I'd prefer to walk rather than be driven several blocks. Very car-centric country we're living in, no question. I don't think I'd shock anyone by saying that the U.S. is dangerously, destructively car-centric. Go you for not being that way.

[starphire]

Well, I've relied on bikes, on my feet, on the T, and on cars to get around this area, and Boston is small enough to make most in-town trips manageable on a bike. If it weren't for Boston winters and the need to transport small people and cargo frequently, I'd still be riding in the city the majority of the time. But I drive more than I ride, I just empathize with the minority of road users too.

[moominmolly]

Do people you know treat it this way? Or are you talking about yahoos yelling from cars?

[coraline]

yes, unfortunately.

[moominmolly]

That bites. I've certainly had people assume I was driving and be surprised by me showing up on a bike, but I take it this is different and that bites.

(Also I have very violent negative reactions to yahoos yelling from cars. I'm surprised I've never caused property damage in that mood.)

[sol3]

I used to ride in steeltoes, 'just in case'

[marmota]

Bravo, but where are you encountering this attitude?

[starphire]

It was in a friend's lj, expressing intolerance of the fact that bicyclists could occasionally slow them down, among other things.
Frankly, I was shocked that any of my friends would have that attitude, but they were unapologetic about it despite several polite objections from people who get around on a bike at least some of the time.

[oneagain]

Narrow-minded, rude, condescending, and *destructive*.

[starphire]

Yeah, it was a little scary to see a friend expressing such a negative attitude towards cyclists, especially considering how many of our mutual friends get around regularly by bike.

[ampersandy]

Happens to me, too. Some relatives and colleagues think my bicycle commuting is eccentric, when they know my profession provides ample income to afford a nice car, gas, and parking fees. Back when I didn't have a car for ten years, it seemed very strange to them that someone would choose a more "difficult" means of transportation when one can afford the easy option.

I think that's where the attitude comes from that it's a mere hobby--people find it hard to believe that anyone would NOT choose the easiest method of transport.

[starphire]

Yeah, I've certainly encountered that attitude before, I was just troubled to be hearing it from a friend who lives in the city and ought to know better.
Sometimes a bicycle IS the easiest method of transport, by virtue of time and/or money that can be saved. And for people who can't or won't drive a car, it becomes the easiest method of transport in their reality at least.