“Moral weightlessness” of cyclists?

[wheelswings]

For an upcoming talk, my Stockholm-based brother and I will be exploring attitudes toward cyclists in the US and Sweden. We would be grateful for your thoughts on the following:

Some people have argued that the physical weightlessness and vulnerability of cyclists (compared to cars) is exacerbated by their moral weightlessness. In other words, bikers tend not to be taken as seriously as drivers — their injuries or deaths do not count as much as those of other people on the road.

Likewise, some argue that cyclists’ social contributions (reducing traffic, air pollution, climate change, obesity) are generally undervalued or unseen.

What do you think? Does anyone have any experiences, examples or observations that would help us think about these topics?
With thanks,
Cynthia (wheels&wings)

Topic

[TwoWheelsDC]

@jrenaut 98870 wrote:

I wonder how many drivers would filter to the front at a light if they could get away with it (and fit). Most, I’d imagine.

This is basic driving behavior in most countries outside North America and Europe.

[TwoWheelsDC]

@lordofthemark 98916 wrote:

I wonder if motorcyclists (with the same exposure to the wind and sun that cyclists have) get less road rage in traffic. Could be, I suppose.

Nope. Makes it worse in my experience. Sitting in traffic on a hot engine in the heat in protective riding gear is way more miserable than sitting in a car. The joys of motorcycling are many and commuting on a motorcycle is generally better than in a car, but they don’t make the actual time spent sitting in traffic more bearable.

[Geoff]

@Phatboing 98869 wrote:

I’m sure there is. “You switch wantonly between sidewalk and road, and Idaho stop through stop lights waaa waaa waa”

Except everyone can wantonly switch between sidewalk and road. All they have to do is procure a bike. Free country.

Maybe not. Don’t you have to qualify for a Cat 6 license first?

[wheelswings]

Thanks to all who contributed to this thread on the Unbearable Lightness of Biking.
You guys are geniuses. Based largely on your insights, we’ve put together a paper for the American Anthropological Association. The only problem is, we received way too many poignant examples and funny observations to fit into our 15 minute slot… we had to boil our 25 page first draft into a mere six.

If anyone is riding in the vicinity of the Marriott Wardman Park hotel (near the National Zoo) tomorrow (Friday 5 December) at 11 a.m., please feel free to come find us in Roosevelt Room 3. We’re part of a panel on Urban Infrastructures….we have the slot from 11:15 to 11:30 a.m.

Thanks again.
Cynthia/Wheels&Wings

[Geoff]

@wheels&wings 101264 wrote:

Thanks to all who contributed to this thread on the Unbearable Lightness of Biking.
You guys are geniuses. Based largely on your insights, we’ve put together a paper for the American Anthropological Association. The only problem is, we received way too many poignant examples and funny observations to fit into our 15 minute slot… we had to boil our 25 page first draft into a mere six.

If anyone is riding in the vicinity of the Marriott Wardman Park hotel (near the National Zoo) tomorrow (Friday 5 December) at 11 a.m., please feel free to come find us in Roosevelt Room 3. We’re part of a panel on Urban Infrastructures….we have the slot from 11:15 to 11:30 a.m.

Thanks again.
Cynthia/Wheels&Wings

Will you post the paper anyplace we would be able to see it?

[wheelswings]

Good question. We haven’t figure that out yet… right now the goal is to get through tomorrow :+) But I will make sure that folks can read it one way or another, even if it’s just via the old-fashioned Xerox machine.

[Author]

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