Why They Hate Us

[ShawnoftheDread]

@baiskeli 44537 wrote:

Let’s look at that though. Cyclists ARE saving the Earth, in their own little way. And we should be proud of that… It’s something they project onto the cyclist that the cyclist didn’t say or do. “Oh, look at that guy, he probably thinks he’s saving the Earth or something!”

Clearly they’re justified in projecting that thought onto us, by your own admission.

I stand by my statement: you’re just doing something you like.

[hozn]

@ShawnoftheDread 44540 wrote:

I stand by my statement: you’re just doing something you like.

I couldn’t agree more. I love biking and I am happy to go [a little] out of my way to support the environment, but those are two independent sentiments. I don’t ride my bike because I think it’s making the world a better place; I bike because I get exercise I want/need and I just like being outside. Saving money on gas & tolls makes the economics at least break even. I know there are other people that believe strongly in cycling as a way of life. I respect that, but when it turns into an expression of superiority — environmental or otherwise — I think it does disservice to the cycling community.

I definitely echo the sentiment that no one in their heated seats is looking out with envy — or with admiration — at the cyclist riding by in the rain. That sentiment — and I’ve certainly had it cross my mind — is 100% smugness-induced and has no basis in reality. I’d like to believe they’re envious, because being cold & wet sucks. But they’re not.

[mstone]

The only expressions of superiority are from those who think they are in a position to criticize the imagined lives of other people.

[lordofthemark]

@ShawnoftheDread 44536 wrote:

The commonality here is rampant smugness, widespread enough that it’s easy to project onto everyone in those groups. I tend to hate all those categories of people too. Yes, often even the cyclists. Quit being smug, people. You’re not saving the earth, you’re just doing something you like.

I would say all have the potential for smugness – as does giving to charity, volunteering, etc. I think its a natural temptation when doing something that expresses one’s values. And of course anyone whose cycling is taking the place of transportation that causes GHG emissions (and of course those who refrain from eating red meat which is associated with methane and carbon intensive agriculture) is doing something to save the planet – and I say that as a driver and a meat eater. Fair trade coffee does not save the planet – but it may help some campesinos a bit. I have some in the house – I usually buy non fair trade, but I think going out of one’s way to buy some is no more reason to be hated than giving money to a charity is.

[lordofthemark]

@hozn 44541 wrote:

I know there are other people that believe strongly in cycling as a way of life. I respect that, but when it turns into an expression of superiority — environmental or otherwise — I think it does disservice to the cycling community.

Urban planners, transportation planners, and folks concerned with sustainability DO consider cycling (and other ways to reduce gasoline consumption) part of strategies to address global warming and other environmental issues. I was a supporter of pro-biking policy before I got back to cycling myself, and I would remain so if I stopped biking. Just as I support hybrid vehicles, though I may never own one. I hope that is not doing a disservice to the cycling community.

[lordofthemark]

@hozn 44541 wrote:

I definitely echo the sentiment that no one in their heated seats is looking out with envy — or with admiration — at the cyclist riding by in the rain. That sentiment — and I’ve certainly had it cross my mind — is 100% smugness-induced and has no basis in reality. I’d like to believe they’re envious, because being cold & wet sucks. But they’re not.

Am I the only one here who also drives? Because on some occasions I see someone cycling from my car and I do admire them – and on other occasions envy them. Though usually not both at the same time.

[ShawnoftheDread]

@lordofthemark 44550 wrote:

Am I the only one here who also drives? Because on some occasions I see someone cycling from my car and I do admire them – and on other occasions envy them. Though usually not both at the same time.

I think most of us drive too, at least sometimes. I will concede that we are often envious of other cyclists when we need to drive.

[TwoWheelsDC]

I drive mostly on weekends. I enjoy it, for the most part. Even though I didn’t grow up a gearhead, my dad is a mechanic, so I’ve always liked cars and the technology that goes with them. I think driving can be enjoyable and even relaxing, rather than stress inducing. Problem is, most people do the majority of their driving during commuting hours, when they are already stressed. So I don’t think driving is the problem per se, it’s really car commuting that causes so many issues. People get so angry during their car commutes and I think eventually that carries over into non-commute driving as well because people associate driving with stress. Even when I was bike commuting just a couple of days a week, my driving stress level dropped dramatically. And now that I drive pretty much only by choice (as in, to places I don’t really have to go) I’d say I’m much more relaxed, much more safe, and much more considerate when I get behind the wheel.

As far as how that translates to cyclist hate, I think it’s that added stress, plus a feeling of “I have to follow very strict rules of the road, which causes me to be stuck here. But you don’t, and I hate you for that.” Also, there’s a bit of “I finally am out of the traffic jam and get to drive fast, but now you’re in my way! damn you cyclist!”

[rcannon100]

@ShawnoftheDread 44552 wrote:

I think most of us drive too, at least sometimes. I will concede that we are often envious of other cyclists when we need to drive.

You know the joke about dogs. I think it is even in the movie UP where the dog has a devices that enables it to ta… SQUIRREL!!!!

Yeah, that’s me driving on the road to do the groceries or go to the…. CYCLIST!!!!!

[hozn]

@lordofthemark 44549 wrote:

Urban planners, transportation planners, and folks concerned with sustainability DO consider cycling (and other ways to reduce gasoline consumption) part of strategies to address global warming and other environmental issues. I was a supporter of pro-biking policy before I got back to cycling myself, and I would remain so if I stopped biking. Just as I support hybrid vehicles, though I may never own one. I hope that is not doing a disservice to the cycling community.

I hope that I didn’t imply that supporting cycling is doing a disservice to the cycling community I support cycling too, both in spirit and in more practical ways when I can. And I believe that more people cycling for transportation is a generally good thing. My only point (and perhaps this wasn’t very clearly stated) is that when an attitude of moral superiority is perceived by others (drivers, pedestrians, etc.) this does a disservice to being taken seriously by the driving majority.

[hozn]

@lordofthemark 44550 wrote:

Am I the only one here who also drives? Because on some occasions I see someone cycling from my car and I do admire them – and on other occasions envy them. Though usually not both at the same time.

Fair enough I drive a fair bit (not as much as I bike, but probably close) and I love my car. It’s true I definitely do not like traffic, but before I commuted by bicycle, it never occurred to me to envy cyclists. It’s true that as a cyclist now I would probably have some admiration for someone riding through freezing rain, because having done that I know that it’s not necessarily all fun. But I don’t think that perspective is necessarily shared by those who aren’t cyclists. Maybe I’m wrong and they really are all envious or admiring of us all the time, but I’m just gonna carry on with the assumption that most drivers don’t actually care about anything until it gets in their way — and then they honk, pass too close, throw stuff, and yell at us to get off the road (or worse).

[baiskeli]

@ShawnoftheDread 44540 wrote:

Clearly they’re justified in projecting that thought onto us, by your own admission.

No, not saying that at all.

We’re all saving the earth, but we’re not all smug about it (not that smugness is always bad, mind you).

Part of why I ride a bike is to save the Earth. I’m proud of that. If someone in a car doesn’t like that, maybe they feel guilty. It doesn’t matter to me. I’m not wearing a t-shirt that says “you’re a jerk for driving a car.”

[baiskeli]

I think the typical driver who hates cyclists feels unworthy. We are tough and self-reliant.

[Amalitza]

I hate everyone out on the MVT on beautiful afternoons. (Yes, that means you. Don’t you know you’re contributing to how insanely crowded it is? And getting in my way when I just want to go out and enjoy a nice bike ride?) I hate everyone driving on Indian Head highway during rush hour. Except I don’t really, partly because I’m not much of a hate-y person but also as I am aware enough to realize that I am a member of both of those groups of people, and I don’t hate myself, so I can’t hate the *entire* group.

Someone who’s driving along in his car hating other drivers is likely to realize at some point that he, too, is a driver, so he probably doesn’t hate “drivers” per se, as a category. However, unless he also cycles, he’s perfectly able to hate “cyclists” as a category. Personally, I think it’s as simple as that.

[ShawnoftheDread]

In other news, my girl finally decided during a trip to our LBS today that she was going to start riding her two-wheeler. We got home and she jumped on and rode to the playground, only needing a small balance and push at the starts. The best part was when we got to the playground and she decided to keep riding instead.

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