The War On The Bicycle (Hungarian Style)

I've heard all these arguments before except the one about America being a great place because people put the bikes on the roof rack and drive off to the woods to use their bikes.
For the guy who wants someone to carry his bags to his car - you lazy bastard.

Would anyone like to comment on my personal observation that riding a sit-up bike, like they do all over Europe, one get less grief from motorists?

Maybe it's because sit ups, outside Europe, are associated with women's bikes, and are thus given more courtesy, even though I'm a a guy and I see more and more males regally upright these days. .

Perhaps it has something to do with the fact you are spotted more easily and in turn see better on a sit -up, not having the head down to any extent.

I make eye contact with drivers and reward them for good behavior, like not turning across my path, with a wave. I often consider my rides as driver education courses.

I was thinking about this when putting together a film about David Hembrow, who blogs at; A view from the cycle path. His piece which you can find on my blog is called, Talking to David Hembrow. The blog is; http://situp-cycle.com

This question will become more interesting when those Bixis arrives in town, since all bike share machines are sit-ups, and males everywhere will be not only in sit-ups but step thoughs, for the first time.

Mike Rubbo

I think that for the non-cyclist/potential future cyclist seeing someone all geared up hunched over a fancy racing bike sort of perpetuates the north-american assumption that cycling is only for fitness freaks a la jogging and not a practical everyday form of transportation and makes them feel they have to get all dressed up just to ride a bike which can be very off-putting for some, also lycra is kinda gay.

i love my cruiser. it is a relatively new Marin with an aluminum frame so it is nowhere near as heavy and clunky as some might think. internal 3-speed hub which is perfect for city riding, zero maintenance and gives me great pick-up from a dead stop, effortless comfort as i toddle past the grunting fixies trying to get going again. of course they fly by half a block later. :^) but we usually meet up at the next red light. big fenders=no worries in wet weather. and the comfiest seat ever. also the fat tires eliminate any worry about streetcar tracks. i ride it everywhere I go, parkdale to the beaches and beyond. it may not win any races but it is the most comfortable bike I have ever been on. it is very special to me. plus it looks damn cool imo.

dufferin to pape and back everyday. easypeasy and no sweat. 30-45 min. but i hate to rush, i would rather enjoy the journey. sorry to gush but my bike rocks!

i wear jeans all the time and have never felt uncomfortable ever. i wear practical footwear and warm clothes. i just think that dressing up in a special little outfit just to ride a bike is a little silly. sorry. cycling doesn't need to be treated like a sport, for some it is just a nice way to get around.

we all want more people on bikes right?

http://www.copenhagencyclechic.com/2009/06/good-news-and-bad-news-about-...

from the article..

"Listen, according to the European Cyclists Federation there are 100 million daily cyclists in Europe. Alone in Copenhagen there are 500,000 cyclists each day. The vast majority wear their regular clothes because they're on their way to work or school. They have closets and they're not afraid to use them. They have happily not been subjected to this branding of cycling as a 'difficult' activity. It's quick, easy, convienent and enjoyable. A bit hot today? Slow down."

that's all i'm saying. i don't give a damn about fashion, i dress like a bum. i'm just saying cycling is easy, special clothes imply that is is not and ghettoize cycling from everyday people. no one is saying not to wear appropriate clothing for the weather. anti-rain jacket?

there are as many kinds of normal as there are people on the planet. Wear what you want. just wanted to let you know how things look from the other side of the spandex fence.

anti-cyclng? persecution complex much? I cycle everyday. I want everyone to ride bikes. i just question the sports-geek/cycling-snob mentality of some.

Racing gear for commuting looks dorky, especially if you have a spray of dirt on your backside because a 2 oz. fender might weigh your bike down too much.

it is straight-up anti-elitism not reverse anti-elitism but who really cares anyway. this is kind of a silly digression. i really just want bikes to be seen as an easy alternative for anyone and you don't need all that extra stuff just to ride a bike.

I know what you are saying about it not really being all the "hard-core" cyclists fault that public perception here is that you need all that stuff tho ride a bike. Yet it still something to be resisted and efforts made to change. If, say my mom just wants to ride a bike to get around and she is pressured into believing that she needs not only a bike but a whole new wardrobe to be worthy of riding it is going to act as a deterrent to to her getting out there. I think this is true of many people.
I also have gotten some pretty annoying attitude from some so-called hard-core cyclists that could put off others just wanting a casual bike. especially in most bike shops I have been in.

clothes are also much less of an issue on an upright position bike because you are not spending all your time hunched forward so less chafing and whatnot. a big comfy seat helps too. you also stay much cleaner and dryer with proper fenders and a chain guard.

Who. Cares.

If you feel you need to be all decked out in cycling gear head-to-toe to ride 2 km through the park - go ahead! If you insist on riding across Canada in jeans and flip-flops - go ahead! Just go ride, instead of bashing other riders for their clothing choice. Jeez!