The Toronto Star provided a handy field guide for citizens who are more interested in tracking Toronto cyclists than elusive birds.
The Toronto Star provided a handy field guide for citizens who are more interested in tracking Toronto cyclists than elusive birds.
Comments
Kevin Love
Good article
Mon, 06/29/2009 - 11:30I rather liked the article. It shows bike use as a reflection of people's personalities and lifestyles. In other words, they are not a "cyclist" first and then something else.
Also it shows cycling as a normal activity, carried out by a wide variety of different people wearing the clothes that go with their regular life. NOT, (except for the couple into that), wearing "road warrier" gear like helmets, jerseys and other bike racing equipment.
The article asked if they missed any, and they missed a big category: cargo bikes. Bakfietsen are wonderful!
electric
Still no "Average Commuter" cyclist among their selections...
Tue, 06/30/2009 - 01:25Unless you're playing Sean Connery in "Finding forrester", maybe it's me but most of the "quirky" characters were all men? What, guys don't goto the grocery store?
I was a little offended that they said people who cycle all winter long might be "crazy" or "nuts".
It's all stereotyping though... Even Kevin's apparently negative stereotype - the "road warrior."
At least we weren't all lumped together.
PedalPowerPat
who needs a label just ride enjoy
Mon, 06/29/2009 - 12:20Who wears a jersey and other racing equipment besides people that want to be into that type of biking clique? Somehow you include a helmet in that list... so sorry if our brains are worth protecting and yours isn't Kevin.
Let me know when you get into a serious accident w/o your helmet if you still have the same opinion.
Weird I looked exactly like "The Trainer" except for the extra pads, same helmet same lankeyness. I guess there is no young, low income, bike enthusiast steriotype although I just got a job as a bike courier last week so "Inspector Gadget" will be me in the coming weeks.
One comment on the Star cyclist page that I thought rang true.
Ben
me!
Mon, 06/29/2009 - 15:20Lots of folks wear jerseys and the funny looking shorts: Tourers, Couriers, Roadies who don't race, and the mighty Hodad.
PedalPowerPat
My issue is with...
Mon, 06/29/2009 - 17:28They are still the minority Ben, the majority of cyclists (even thin tire cyclists) just wear street clothes.
I have no problem with people that wear tight fitting race wear or whatever, hell you can ride naked for all I care.
My issue is with Kevin's hate-on with what people choose to wear cycling and his obsession with "road armour". Cycling isnt safe, especially in the context that we ride in, that is why stuff like helmets exist.
Random cyclist (not verified)
Naked?
Mon, 06/29/2009 - 22:02Okay PPP you have gone too far.
While there are a few cyclists I have seen around town this month (especially King & Spadina) that I would pay money to see naked, for the vast majority I would pay money to ensure they DON'T get naked, thank you very much. :-)
PedalPowerPat
Each to their own
Tue, 06/30/2009 - 12:19Each to their own preferences.
Random cyclist (not verified)
Filler
Tue, 06/30/2009 - 12:34Trite filler that does nothing to futher the cause of cyclists on TO streets. "Oh, look, it's those kooky cyclists. Aren't they droll in their little outfits?" I expect this sort of article in a college paper, or Eye Weekly (it's all they run these days, these smug little lists), but not The Star.
Warren P (not verified)
Great.
Tue, 06/30/2009 - 14:55It's hilarious. And yes, people who cycle in the winter are insane.
If i was going to add one, it would be Fat Harry. The guy trying mostly to lose 80 pounds.
That would be ME.
Warren
Seymore Bikes
Missing Me
Tue, 06/30/2009 - 16:19The Star piece was great - it's always nice to see cycling content.
I checked to see which of the featured cyclists represented me - and it was a bit of stretch, the typical all season commuter seemed un-represented; the owner of Cyclepath featured as the 'Winter Beater' was fine except that it seemed to suggest that winter riding is not for everyone.
geoffrey
Winter Bicycling
Thu, 07/02/2009 - 11:24Warren:
The only thing insane about winter bicycling is the amount of fun to be had. Proper preparation will get you through stuff cars wouldn't have a hope in. I've ridden the Humber trail in February to the astonishment of other trail users. I've exhibited better vehicle control than motorists around me with nothing better than mountain bike tires in a snow storm. Studded tires are available. Bicyclists have a great advantage over motorists due to the size of their contact patch relative to the inertial mass of their vehicles. Proper clothing is readily available and there are any number of howtos on equipping, riding technique and care of your vehicle.
Please see icebike.com, alaskaultrasport.com. There are any number of events open to bicyclists in winter. This is not some bizarre fringe activity.
Random cyclist (not verified)
Winter tires
Thu, 07/02/2009 - 13:37Strictly speaking, aren't studded tires for all Ontario "vehicles" illegal?
http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/faq/vehicle.shtml#studs
The Pedaller (not verified)
Stud Finder
Thu, 07/02/2009 - 15:05The MTO regulations provided seem to apply to Highway use, so that wouldn't really apply to bikes.
I just don't see this being an issue worthy of any debate; our roads are not going to be destroyed by studed bike tires.
anthony
Strictly speaking
Thu, 07/02/2009 - 18:32Strictly speaking, so are the "flashy" white and red LED lights used by cyclists.
But the minister of transportation once gave an assurance that cyclists wouldn't be charged for using them, but didn't want to change the laws/regs to legalize them either.
Enforcement is pursued when something poses a problem, or by cops looking to harass people.
Random cyclist (not verified)
Stricly studded
Thu, 07/02/2009 - 22:32Ya, but this is a thread about cops and enforcement; I am not willing to put my faith in Metro's finest observing the minister's "intent" when there is a perfectly good law for them to persecute and harass me with.
I got stopped the other day even after putting my feet down at the stop sign, guess why, I fit the "description" of someone who shouldn't be riding such an expensive bike.
chronologic
Helmets look dumb
Thu, 07/02/2009 - 09:34Sure, helmets look dumb...
But I'd rather look dumb than look dead.