What defines a cyclist?
03-05-10, 04:28 PM
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What defines a cyclist?
In at least one other thread someone brought up that the person being discussed wasn't a "cyclist" but just a person on a bicycle.
So just what makes a person a cyclist vs. a person who just happens to be riding a bicycle?
So just what makes a person a cyclist vs. a person who just happens to be riding a bicycle?
03-05-10, 04:35 PM
#2
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For what purpose? Legally speaking there is no difference.
Grouch/snob wise well, that's a different story.
Grouch/snob wise well, that's a different story.
03-05-10, 04:44 PM
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A person who rides a bike is a cyclist. The number of times they are on the bike is irrelevant. Once they're on the bike, they're cyclists.
03-05-10, 04:48 PM
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That's one persons opinion. In my mind, if they are on a bicycle (or tricycle) they are a cyclist.
03-05-10, 04:59 PM
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The only time there is an issue is when the term is applied to someone not currently on a bike.
03-05-10, 05:00 PM
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OK I am going to up the snob factor... with a dose of reality.
A person on a bicycle that doesn't know how to use a bicycle (has no idea how to shift, no idea how to brake and barely can make the thing move) is a person on a bicycle. (POB).
This is akin to putting someone in a car that doesn't know how to drive... are they a "motorist" just because they are sitting behind the steering wheel? I don't believe so... it takes a certain minimum set of skills to drive a car... and legally, the possession of a valid drivers license.
Putting someone astride a bike and then pushing does not make them a cyclist... any more than the "behind the steering wheel example" makes one a motorist.
There are some basic skills involved in properly riding a bike... and not having command of these basic (easy to learn) skills is what separates "cyclist" from "POB."
A person on a bicycle that doesn't know how to use a bicycle (has no idea how to shift, no idea how to brake and barely can make the thing move) is a person on a bicycle. (POB).
This is akin to putting someone in a car that doesn't know how to drive... are they a "motorist" just because they are sitting behind the steering wheel? I don't believe so... it takes a certain minimum set of skills to drive a car... and legally, the possession of a valid drivers license.
Putting someone astride a bike and then pushing does not make them a cyclist... any more than the "behind the steering wheel example" makes one a motorist.
There are some basic skills involved in properly riding a bike... and not having command of these basic (easy to learn) skills is what separates "cyclist" from "POB."
03-05-10, 05:02 PM
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
03-05-10, 05:06 PM
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Strictly speaking, of course, a lot of those are POBSOs (Person On a Bike-Shaped Object), rather than POBs.
03-05-10, 05:56 PM
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03-05-10, 06:21 PM
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03-05-10, 07:13 PM
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...and the great majority of society doesn't give a flying F about that difference.
Funny thing, the only reason most people don't generalize the same way about scofflaw motorists is due to the fact that most people are motorists themselves.
-Kurt
Funny thing, the only reason most people don't generalize the same way about scofflaw motorists is due to the fact that most people are motorists themselves.
-Kurt
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03-05-10, 09:11 PM
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Depends on whether you're a snob or not.
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Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
03-05-10, 09:18 PM
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Depends on the context.
If I see someone riding down the street, I'd call that person a cyclist regardless of what or how or how often they're riding.
However if I'm talking to someone about a friend of mine that rode to work a few days when his car was in the shop, I'd likely not describe him as a cyclist (and that's probably not how he'd identify himself either). Just depends on the context you're talking about.
If I see someone riding down the street, I'd call that person a cyclist regardless of what or how or how often they're riding.
However if I'm talking to someone about a friend of mine that rode to work a few days when his car was in the shop, I'd likely not describe him as a cyclist (and that's probably not how he'd identify himself either). Just depends on the context you're talking about.
03-05-10, 10:36 PM
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03-06-10, 08:48 AM
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Anyone that is ANYONE on a bike or trike is a cyclist. I get so annoyed with the head down butt in the air Armstrong wanna bes and their snobbery. They try to define a "cyclist" by checking what kind of bike they ride, and wether their kit is an approved one. Five hundered dollars of clothes, and a five thousand dollar bike is not necessary to be a cyclist. Personally I welcome anyone up on two or three wheels.
03-06-10, 08:55 AM
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03-06-10, 09:33 AM
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one of the problems with cycling advocacy is people see those OPOBSO and think they are the same as everyone else who happens to ride a bicycle.
03-06-10, 10:08 AM
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lets hope everyone can at least find the brakes on the cursed machines and at least partially qualify as a 'cyclist'.
Steering and balance, check! and they're almost there.
this might explain the recent propensity towards single speed and fixie phenomenon - easier to qualify on.
Maybe it depends on where one lives and the regions' overall lycra rating.
The fella that writes the Copenhagenize blog, Mikael Coleville-Anderson (sp) has a different perspective, something about 'vacuum cleaners'
Steering and balance, check! and they're almost there.
this might explain the recent propensity towards single speed and fixie phenomenon - easier to qualify on.
Maybe it depends on where one lives and the regions' overall lycra rating.
The fella that writes the Copenhagenize blog, Mikael Coleville-Anderson (sp) has a different perspective, something about 'vacuum cleaners'
Last edited by Bekologist; 03-06-10 at 10:13 AM.
03-06-10, 10:13 AM
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Well, there does appear to be an official order for this on BF.
Here it is from worthless scum to top dog... err, cat:
OPOBSO
POBSO
POB
Cyclist
Real Cyclist
ILTB
Here it is from worthless scum to top dog... err, cat:
OPOBSO
POBSO
POB
Cyclist
Real Cyclist
ILTB
03-06-10, 01:09 PM
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These were also the sort of folks I saw taking LAB Road 1 classes... and after a couple of sessions, they understood how to change gears, how to safely stop and quick stop, and how to spin rather than mash... they wanted to become cyclists enough to take classes, and their lack of skills were evident. But the desire was there.
Of course there are also the folks that dust off the bike twice a year and really have no desire other than to feel the wind in their hair for an hour or so... and otherwise shove the bike into a dark corner in the garage.
Last edited by genec; 03-06-10 at 01:13 PM.
03-06-10, 01:27 PM
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03-06-10, 01:52 PM
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03-06-10, 01:59 PM
#25
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No, I disagree with that... I see lots of persons on bikes on weekends in the local park... they want to ride the bike and are actually moving, but have not taken the time to learn how to use the bike well... usually you hear a lot of grinding gears as they move badly from one gear to another... and no cadence... generally POBs mash, a lot.
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