General Cycling Discussion - Is Everyone on a Bike a "Cyclist?"

Or, are those who ride a bicycle for the sake of riding a cycle the only "real" cyclists?

A child teeters off a curb on a 10 inch 2-wheeler and the media calls him or her a young "Cyclist."

Aren't there many people on a bike who are simply riding a bike, rather than being "cyclists?"

One rents a cruiser on vacation at the beach once every year or so. Are they "Cyclists?"

A kid rides after dark, in dark clothes on a black BMX bike, without lights and against traffic. Is that kid a cyclist?

Every once in a while, one can read a story about a toddler moving a motor vehicle. The media generally doesn't refer to the toddler as "the driver."

I someone who rents a Vespa scooter in the Bahamas once in a lifetime a motorcyclist?

Maybe sometimes we should say, I saw someone on a bike..... Rather than I saw a cyclist....... :o

Cyclists are people who ride a bike.

Anyone who drives a bike isn't a cyclist.

Cyclists are people who ride a bike for more than transportation.

Someone who jumps on a bike to go to the store is not a cyclist

The kid who rides against traffic with no lights is not a cyclist

The boy who rides his bike to school is not a cyclist.

It is the people who ride a bike for the ride and not for a need is a cyclist. Cyclists enjoy the ride, savor every moment on the bike, take the long way home, ride ti unique and nice locations instead of driving. Cyclists ride for sport, for recreation, for fun, for enjoyment. Anyone can be a cyclist, the little kid, the parent, the racer, the guy riding his bike to work.

Now wikopedia says something different


Cyclist
A cyclist is a person who engages in cycling whether as a sport (bicycle racing) or who rides a bicycle for recreation or transportation (utility cycling). The words bicyclist or 'biker' are also used although 'biker' is usually taken to mean someone who rides a motorbike or sometimes a mountain bike.

Transportation bothers me. Many people ride a bike because they have no other option (kids going to school, to the store, etc). I think cyclists are those who transport on a bike for choice, free will...

But everyone will have thier own opinion!

Well I guess Koffee isn't a cyclist...she uses her bike as transportation.

Well I guess Koffee isn't a cyclist...she uses her bike as transportation.

Exclusively? I bet not. She no doubt rides for fun also.

Cyclists are people who ride a bike for more than transportation.

Someone who jumps on a bike to go to the store is not a cyclist

The kid who rides against traffic with no lights is not a cyclist

The boy who rides his bike to school is not a cyclist.

It is the people who ride a bike for the ride and not for a need is a cyclist. Cyclists enjoy the ride, savor every moment on the bike, take the long way home, ride ti unique and nice locations instead of driving. Cyclists ride for sport, for recreation, for fun, for enjoyment. Anyone can be a cyclist, the little kid, the parent, the racer, the guy riding his bike to work.

Now wikopedia says something different



Transportation bothers me. Many people ride a bike because they have no other option (kids going to school, to the store, etc). I think cyclists are those who transport on a bike for choice, free will...

But everyone will have thier own opinion!

I think you are answering my point. Though I think I list messengers, bike cops and commuters among cyclists as well. My point though was to ask whether anyone with a bike bewteen their legs at a given moment was actually a "cyclist." Conversely, though not made a point of my original post, a cyclist would still be a cyclist even if not actually on a bike. No?

I like to think of myself as a cyclist eventhough I primarily started riding again for excersize. I used to race as a kid in the late 70's and early 80's and am beginning to wonder why the he77 I ever stopped.

The more I ride now the more I get a hunger to put more and more miles on the bike and improve my riding (speed, distance, time etc...).

My bonus from work is coming in Friday and I know I'll be hitting the LBS to share most of it with him, but, just 3 months ago, a 20" thickness planer was all I wanted.

Im a messenger and I do NOT consider myself a cyclist,others might,I dont.

I don't know the definition of a cyclist, but I know one when I see one!

Oh and yes, the smucks that ride against traffic are definitely not!

Yes anyone riding a bike is a cyclist. And anyone playing football, any version, American Gridiron, Australian Rules, Soccer, Rugby Union, Rugby League or Galic Football is a football player.

Now some people on bikes are pretty poor cyclists and many football players are pretty poor football players. But the terms refer to the actvity and nothing else.

Yes anyone riding a bike is a cyclist. And anyone playing football, any version, American Gridiron, Australian Rules, Soccer, Rugby Union, Rugby League or Galic Football is a football player.

Now some people on bikes are pretty poor cyclists and many football players are pretty poor football players. But the terms refer to the actvity and nothing else.
Thanks, Keith, well said. This thread does nothing more than confirm my suspicions about the ridiculous elitist attitude of some bicyclists.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
A cyclist is a person who engages in cycling whether as a sport (bicycle racing) or who rides a bicycle for recreation or transportation (utility cycling). The words bicyclist or 'biker' are also used although 'biker' is usually taken to mean someone who rides a motorbike or sometimes a mountain bike.

I don't care what you call me as long as I can have fun on my bike. :D

I think a true cyclist is anyone who is "addicted" to riding. Someone who can work on thier own bike. Someone who envees bike messengers. Thinks "Hurt City" is a great book. Logs onto the bike forum everyday just to see what other cyclist have to say.
Someone who just loves bikes!

I think a lot of folks take "cyclist" to also include "bicycle enthusiast," which while appropriate, doesn't cover the full gamut of cycling. So I'd say a cyclist is one who rides a bike.

(of course, I won't feel comfortable calling myself a 'cyclist' until I complete my first century. Until then, I say I like to ride bikes. To me, 'cyclist' in that context is the same as 'runner.' I wouldn't call myself a 'runner' unless I'd done a marathon)

Thanks, Keith, well said. This thread does nothing more than confirm my suspicions about the ridiculous elitist attitude of some bicyclists.

Well said, randya.

You ride a bike, you're a cyclist. Period.


a true cyclist is anyone who is "addicted" to riding. Someone who can work on thier own bike. Someone who envees bike messengers.

I'm not addicted to anything. But I consider myself a cyclist. A skier. An aviator. All activities I enjoy in varying degrees of participation. I can work on my own bike, but not my skis (well, I can sharpen and wax them) or airplane. Does this detract from my being a skier or aviator?

As for a bike messenger... I don't for a second envy them; wouldn't want to be one, wouldn't want to get paid like one, wouldn't want to ride in the concrete jungle. Does that make me less of a cyclist in any way whatsoever? I don't think so.

I drive a car, but don't race. Does that make me not a driver? I drive to and from work. Sometimes I enjoy the drive, regardless of the destination. Does that make me a driver?

For those that try to exclude others from their own little classification - does it make you feel more important to say that someone who rides less than you isn't in your group? I don't get the point of the whole question, I guess.

Yawn, I think I'll go ride my bike around the block. If that makes me a "cyclist" so be it.

I think there is a difference between a cyclist and a person riding a bike.

Woohoo looks like I'm a cyclist!

A cyclist is someone on a bicycle that I like - someone who is in my way, or pissing me off is "some schmuck on a bike".

There, I said it.






:D

Well said, randya.

You ride a bike, you're a cyclist. Period.



I'm not addicted to anything. But I consider myself a cyclist. A skier. An aviator. All activities I enjoy in varying degrees of participation. I can work on my own bike, but not my skis (well, I can sharpen and wax them) or airplane. Does this detract from my being a skier or aviator?

As for a bike messenger... I don't for a second envy them; wouldn't want to be one, wouldn't want to get paid like one, wouldn't want to ride in the concrete jungle. Does that make me less of a cyclist in any way whatsoever? I don't think so.

I drive a car, but don't race. Does that make me not a driver? I drive to and from work. Sometimes I enjoy the drive, regardless of the destination. Does that make me a driver?

For those that try to exclude others from their own little classification - does it make you feel more important to say that someone who rides less than you isn't in your group? I don't get the point of the whole question, I guess.

:( Never mind. I stand Corrected.


(@#$!& drivers.)

I love people who say "I can tell a cyclist if I see them"...I know right now, if you saw me on my bike (or even half the people I know) you wouldn't think we were cyclists. And thats the way we like it. :)

But am I a cyclist, sure why not. I ride, often. Up down all around any way I can get it. As long as I am in the trees and not on concrete I love my ride :) Ironically...I don't really like commuting, I don't ride early mornings so I tend not to ride to work anymore :) But I am pretty open, my buddy who just bought a 200$ CDN cruise bike from the bike shop, commutes and just chills wearing his beach shorts and t's is also a cyclist. My friends who ride bmx are cyclists (but I wouldn't dare call them that to their face) haha :)

I have wanted to post this same thread for some time. I think every town has a couple 3 or 4 guys that ride around town, usually on WalMart bikes, shirtless and no helmet. They usually ride against traffic with no thought to safety for themselves or others. One guy I see always has a smoke going in one hand and steering with the other and usually has a brown bag of some kind with him. One can only imagine what it contains.

So I am going to lunch one day with a co worker and this guy crosses the street in front of us. My buddy ask "So your bike like that one. And do you ever ride with him?"

All I really am sure about is that I AM A CYCLIST.

Interesting thread. Thanks

Soo if somone has a car and chooses to ride the bike instead of driving the car he is a Cyclist? I have both and lvoe to ride my bike sometimes i drive thow but weather permiting i will ride my bike..

oh and here is mw deff for a cyclist

Main Entry: cy·clist
Pronunciation: 'sI-k(&-)l&st
Function: noun
: one who rides a cycle

http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=cyclist&x=0&y=0

Ok - Hate to hijack this thread but what we really need is a
"You are a cyclist if ....." thread.

I'll start.

You are a cyclist if you "post here". :)

Okay, I'll bite -

You're a Cyclist if - you'd eat macaroni for a month to finance new tires!

Oh, and I'm another one who has to insist on the strict definition of the word. A cyclist is someone on a bike, period. What we really need is another word to describe the fanat...um... enthusists anong us. ;)

To me, a person who rides a bike as efficiently as possible, and one who is always trying to improve the efficiency and pleasure of riding a bike is a cyclist. It's an activity that is nursed and improved constantly. Goals are completely a part of cycling, the push to go further, whether physically or mentally. Someone who gives no effort to those things are "riding a bike". Just my opinion ;)

A cyclist is one who rides for the fun and thrill of the ride and fitness is just a part of it. They don't have to ride they want to ride.

No matter how special you consider yourself to be, you're just riding a bike. This simply harkens back to the general elitist attitude that many bicycle riders develop after they buy a bike from a bike shop and "get religion".

So one is a cyclist only when on the bike? The point of my post was not to adovcate elitism among cyclists based on some level of cycling performance. Nor was my point to exclude anyone who thinks their identy is wrapped up in the term cyclist.

I suppose I asked the question in response to reading some press accounts of accidents or reading statistics on cyclists, or indeed in response to some perceived elitism among posters to this forum.

I speculate that nearly everyone on thse forums owns and at times operates a motor vehicle. Yet, there is a tendency to pounce on "cagers." It is common to see posts ridiculing those who have "expensive bikes hanging in their garage" yet as I read through the posts in this thread, there seems to be consensus that that one ride per year qualifies them as cyclists. I never asked about good cyclists or degrees of identity for cyclists. The responses have been most interesting.

For the record, I suppose my primary identity is my wife's husband. I am also a retired soldier and veteran of a foreign war. I am also a careful driver. My hobby is cycling and I really enjoy riding my bike.

Even though I started this thread, It is really unimportant to me whether or not I am called a cyclist or someone who likes to ride at least 100 miles per week and is comfortable in the accoutrements of cycling. I was just curious to see your responses.

Curious though isn't it? George Bush wasn't billed in the news as a "Cyclist" who fell from his mountain bike while serving as President of the United States. Was he? Guess that means he isn't a "cyclist?"

A person who rides a bicycle to get everywhere is a commuting cyclist.
A person who rides a bicycle for recreational purposes is a recreational cyclist.
A person who rides a bicycle against traffic is an irresponsible cyclist.
A president who rides a bicycle and gets news published about it is a photo-op and politcally-motivated cyclist.

All in all, they're cyclists.

A person who rides a bicycle to get everywhere is a commuting cyclist.
A person who rides a bicycle for recreational purposes is a recreational cyclist.
A person who rides a bicycle against traffic is an irresponsible cyclist.
A president who rides a bicycle and gets news published about it is a photo-op and politcally-motivated cyclist.

All in all, they're cyclists.


Well said.

I agree. As with many other posts in this thread. This is well said.

No matter how special you consider yourself to be, you're just riding a bike. This simply harkens back to the general elitist attitude that many bicycle riders develop after they buy a bike from a bike shop and "get religion".

Shows how much you know, so your trying to say that there is no difference between the kinda of rider that puts in 5000 miles a year and has a true love for the sport vs some guy riding down the street on a mongoose because he got a DUI and cant drive anymore?

Analogy:
1] pianist vs piano player;
2] guitarist vs guitar player;
3] cyclist vs bicycle rider.

Shows how much you know, so your trying to say that there is no difference between the kinda of rider that puts in 5000 miles a year and has a true love for the sport vs some guy riding down the street on a mongoose because he got a DUI and cant drive anymore?
You're so special...NOT. :rolleyes:

This is stupid.

Is someone who drives a rustbucket jalopy 1000 miles a year not a motorist when s/he is driving? Does it matter for what reason they are driving? If you're driving a motor vehicle, you're a motorist.

If you're riding a bike, you're a cyclist.


For those of you that still doubt, the dictionary is here to lay down the law:

cy·clist (sī'klĭst) pronunciation
n.

One who rides or races a bicycle, motorcycle, or similar vehicle.

Is Everyone on a Bike a Cyclist? No - the ones whose feet are pushing the pedals around are cyclists. The rest are just passengers.

This is stupid.

Is someone who drives a rustbucket jalopy 1000 miles a year not a motorist when s/he is driving? Does it matter for what reason they are driving? If you're driving a motor vehicle, you're a motorist.

If you're riding a bike, you're a cyclist.


For those of you that still doubt, the dictionary is here to lay down the law:


nice genius, except the purpose of this thread isn't to decied if anyone on a bike is technically defined as a cyclist. No body here is arguing with the dictionary, its about wether or not everyone on a bike is a cyclist as we see cyclists.

I think it depends on how the word is used, when a person who is really into riding (like people on this forum) talks about a cyclist they are talking about other people like them.

You can't deny it, in some cases the word has more meaning then just someone who rides a bike.

I side with the Cyclist=someone on a bike.

Misunderstanding I am tired of..... People here me say bike and assume Motorcycle.

...its about wether or not everyone on a bike is a cyclist as we see cyclists..
Who are 'we'?



You can't deny it, in some cases the word has more meaning then just someone who rides a bike.
I can deny it and I will.

Who are 'we'?
"We" is refering to the type of riders I percieve the people on this forum to be.



I can deny it and I will.

This is known as denial

Anyone who thinks your bike must be worth a certain dollar value or that you must ride a certain number of miles or hours to be considered a "cyclist" is suffering from elitism, otherwise known as road snobbery.

If you want to come up with some other term to apply to yourself so you can be in a club that you can exclude the "less serious" from, be my guest, but "cyclist" already has a meaning.

That is how I see cyclists.

Okay, I'll bite -

You're a Cyclist if - you'd eat macaroni for a month to finance new tires!

Oh, and I'm another one who has to insist on the strict definition of the word. A cyclist is someone on a bike, period. What we really need is another word to describe the fanat...um... enthusists anong us. ;)
I like this one. :)
Actually, it's a matter of perspective, and everyone has a point here.

"We" is refering to the type of riders I percieve the people on this forum to be.
Stop being evasive. What type of riders do you percieve the people on this forum to be?

I know bike punks that don't own a single lycra garment or any bikes they paid more than $5 for, who live, eat and breathe bicycling 24/7. If I were a snob, I might say that one bike punk is more of a cyclist than all the poseurs decked out in logoed lycra gear from head to foot and riding fancy $3,000 bikes put together, no matter how far they ride; but I'm not, so I won't. :p

Stop being evasive. What type of riders do you percieve the people on this forum to be?

I percieve the people on this forum to be people who care about cycling, people who love riding and love there bikes more then the average person does.

Would you not agree? you think this forum is made of folks who just have nothing better to do then talk about some random sport they dont even care about. I dont


I know bike punks that don't own a single lycra garment or any bikes they paid more than $5 for, who live, eat and breathe bicycling 24/7. If I were a snob, I might say that one bike punk is more of a cyclist than all the poseurs decked out in logoed lycra gear from head to foot and riding fancy $3,000 bikes put together, no matter how far they ride; but I'm not, so I won't.

This is all great grand and wonderful, but, i never said one thing about how much anyones bike costs or what kinda of gear they had so there goes that whole post.

When i talked about that mongoose i was generalizing the kind of of person who was riding becusae they have to, not becuase they want to. I was not saying you were not as good if you had one of those kinds of bikes. Again when i mentioned mileage i was talking about a certain type of person, I never said anything bad about people who dont ride 5000 miles a year. It was a method of making a point.

I am not being a snob, i am not saying there are some cyclists who are superior to others because of material items. What i am doing is recignizing that there is a difference between people who know just how to ride a bike, and people who "live, eat, and breath bicycling 25/7"

I side with the Cyclist=someone on a bike.

Misunderstanding I am tired of..... People here me say bike and assume Motorcycle.

Recursive's dictionary citation suggests that those making that assumption are not erroneous. :)

It is the ambiguity if both the dictionary definition AND the usage of the word "Cyclist" which sparked my post in the first place.

bicyclist

n : a person who rides a bicycle

cy·clist
n.

One who rides or races a bicycle, motorcycle, or similar vehicle.

wheel·er
n.

1. One that wheels.
2. A thing that moves on or is equipped with wheels or a wheel. Often used in combination

is the person who shops only for food to survive, not a shopper if they are not coupon hunters or extreme bargain seekers? ... no, anybody that shops can be called a shopper.. the qualification is in the eye of the beholder.. no matter what your view on this one plenty will agree and disagree..