Advocacy & Safety - "40 Year-Old Virgin": Commuting's latest media image

The title character in The 40 Year Old Virgin (the current #1 movie in the U.S.) rides a bike to work, owns no car, and has never learned to drive. It's a real commuter bike, too, outfitted with fenders, a headlight, a milk crate bungee-corded to a rack, and two handlebar-mounted mirrors. They show him mostly riding on the street, though there's also a scene where he rides on the sidewalk and then, with some difficulty, crosses several lanes of traffic to get to his destination. You also see such real-world details as him carrying a front tire into his workplace every day, and stuffing his pant cuffs in his socks before riding. At one point in the movie, he receives a new bike, some sort of Trek mountain bike with a huge shock absorber where part of the frame should be. Though not as practical for commuting as the bike he already had, he is happy to receive it. (Go, product placement!)

But this is a mixed blessing. Although the character is endearing, he has many juvenille quirks--other than being a virgin, he also plays lots of video games and collects action figures. His bike riding is portrayed as just another sign of his refusal to grow up. At one point, another character says he gave up bike riding when he was six years old. The main character's car-free lifestyle is also shown to be a serious impediment to getting laid (a central goal during the film). On the other hand, at one scene in the end of the movie his bike gives him a unique advantage over cars.

Go figure.

But this is a mixed blessing. Although the character is endearing, he has many juvenille quirks--other than being a virgin, he also plays lots of video games and collects action figures. His bike riding is portrayed as just another sign of his refusal to grow up.
I sometimes imagine a few posters on these forums to fit this stereotype, not because they ride a bike, but because of what they post. ;)

Al

I sometimes imagine a few posters on these forums to fit this stereotype, not because they ride a bike, but because of what they post. ;)

Al


<-- Plays video games and has some action figures. Have had a girlfriend for two and a half years though. 2 out of 3. :)

I sometimes imagine a few posters on these forums to fit this stereotype, not because they ride a bike, but because of what they post. ;)

Al

Oh. I thought you were going to say there were plenty of 40 year old virgins here on the forums. :D ;)

Koffee

Just once I'd like to see a commuter portrayed better in movies, like a chick in full team kit, colnago carbonissmo, large messenger bag, running lights and darting into 8 lanes of cross traffic.
Is that too much to ask?

The main character's car-free lifestyle is also shown to be a serious impediment to getting laid (a central goal during the film).

Anyone who's rode a bike at critical mass knows that a bike can be a serious prop to GETTING LAID.
Girls of all ages, and they are ALL friendly. If I was just younger and had my health, sigh!.

Contrast that with the girls at the bar Pier23 who are all looking for a rich beemer driver, but really don't have much of interest to offer, (other than too much cosmetics and plastic surgury).

Oh. I thought you were going to say there were plenty of 40 year old virgins here on the forums. :D ;)

Koffee
Krap! Does it show?

Just once I'd like to see a commuter portrayed better in movies, like a chick in full team kit, colnago carbonissmo, large messenger bag, running lights and darting into 8 lanes of cross traffic.
Is that too much to ask?

Well, Jeff Goldblum's character in 'Independence Day' did save the entire human race. He got the girl too. :) Pretty good for a dork on a bike. He did have to use a spaceship, but that's still technically car-free right? Technically?

And people really pay to watch silly stuff like this?

Al

And people really pay to watch silly stuff like this?

Al

Yep. And, we laugh all the way through it. It's entertainment - not commentary. :lol:

The incredible Hulk also bike-commute to work.

He did have to use a spaceship, but that's still technically car-free right? Technically?

Absolutely!.... and it ran on 'alternative' energy, not fossil fuels :p

The incredible Hulk also bike-commute to work.

And so did the karate kid, untill Mr Myagi gave him that old car :(

I don't have time to play video games and I can't afford to collect figurines because I'm out riding my bike and buying carbon fiber kickstands.

I don't have time to play video games and I can't afford to collect figurines because I'm out riding my bike and buying carbon fiber kickstands.

Someone's made a carbon fiber kickstand? Do you have a link.

I haven't seen 40-year-old-Virgin, but I am betting that his bike-commuterdom is meant to make him endearingly quirky, given what the previews seem to portray of his character.

Just like if they want to portray a girl as a "free spirit" they'll have her driving a vintage Volkswagen.

Hey, don't forget The Man With One Red Shoe where Tom Hanks trackstands his Peugeot at a stoplight and the bad guys who are trailing him go "How does he do that?"

omg carbon fiber kickstands...

lol 40 y/o virgins lurking on BF...

Koffee wants them all!! (not sure of the carbon fiber kickstand, tho)

What is it about this movie? The trailers didn't spark any interest for me. Maybe I should get out and watch the movie @ Clinton theatre about the giant squid who falls in love with a woman. Or maybe I should watch this. whatever... somebody (besides my landlord) will be acquiring my hard earned cash this weekend. *sigh*

whoa... wtf did i just write??

I.e carbon fiber kickstands , Why?

I.e carbon fiber kickstands , Why?

Because all the cool kids are doing it.

That has to be an improvement over PeeWee Herman

Pee Wee was a 42-year-old virgin, or at least he was unknown by all but his hands and Chairy I assume.

Well, Jeff Goldblum's character in 'Independence Day' did save the entire human race. He got the girl too. :) Pretty good for a dork on a bike. He did have to use a spaceship, but that's still technically car-free right? Technically?


Good thing those aliens were running Windows 98.

Anyone who's rode a bike at critical mass knows that a bike can be a serious prop to GETTING LAID.
Girls of all ages, and they are ALL friendly. If I was just younger and had my health, sigh!

I knew I was missing out on something when ignoring those Critical Mass rides... :(

But lately, it has been pretty dangerous around here with NYPD tactics to ambush riders randomly, for no reason whatsoever, during the last couple of rides... Now, with the enticement of "GETTING LAID" (not that I need it that badly ;)), I might be able to overcome my reservations :D :D :D

he also plays lots of video games and collects action figures.

OMG, they made a movie about me?

Opps, sorry. I missed the part about being a virgin. I guess it's not about me. :(

Oh. I thought you were going to say there were plenty of 40 year old virgins here on the forums. :D ;)

Koffee

All female......

And so did the karate kid, untill Mr Myagi gave him that old car :(
And that dorky chino brooding kid from the OC. Didn't he ride a bike in the first season....whoops, did I just admit I watch....I mean I read that he did in Atlantic Monthly magazine. Yeah, that's it.

The main character's car-free lifestyle is also shown to be a serious impediment to getting laid (a central goal during the film). On the other hand, at one scene in the end of the movie his bike gives him a unique advantage over cars.


I haven't seen the movie yet.

And I have never been car-free so I have no clue. But I can say that riding a bike has its advantages to getting laid. Or maybe that is just being in shape. Or is it that being in shape is a confidence booster?


I agree that the movie may give car-free people a bad rep. But then again there is some truth to that considering that "Losers" come in all shapes and sizes and age. :lol:

This 40 year old virgin movie just happen to be a car-free commuter.

The auto companies are really getting desperate these days (except Toyota hehe) and anything that can make a non-car person look dumb is OK with them. In our corporatist culture, the guy's being a dork on a dorky bike may be what actually sold the script.

Go see Wedding Crashers instead, it's very funny.

omg carbon fiber kickstands...

lol 40 y/o virgins lurking on BF...

Koffee wants them all!! (not sure of the carbon fiber kickstand, tho)

What is it about this movie? The trailers didn't spark any interest for me. Maybe I should get out and watch the movie @ Clinton theatre about the giant squid who falls in love with a woman. Or maybe I should watch this. whatever... somebody (besides my landlord) will be acquiring my hard earned cash this weekend. *sigh*

whoa... wtf did i just write??

Just like if they want to portray a girl as a "free spirit" they'll have her driving a vintage Volkswagen.

And cast Drew Barrymore...

a bike can be a serious prop to GETTING LAID.

Now that's advocacy! :D

a bike can be a serious prop to GETTING LAID.




Just practice safe sex......... by locking your bicycle up :D

in the past few weeks i've seen three movies - all of which had people transporting themselves to various locations around the city by bike. not in any way referencing their character, just used as transportation and a means of getting (or getting away) from point A to B

the movies were german, german, and french. oh well.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/anatomy/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Run_Lola_Run
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Am%C3%A9lie

The auto companies are really getting desperate these days (except Toyota hehe) and anything that can make a non-car person look dumb is OK with them. In our corporatist culture, the guy's being a dork on a dorky bike may be what actually sold the script.


You're really reaching with that one.

...The main character's car-free lifestyle is also shown to be a serious impediment to getting laid (a central goal during the film)....

Well, if he lived in Houston, Texas, serious impediment would be an understatement.

The auto companies are really getting desperate these days (except Toyota hehe) and anything that can make a non-car person look dumb is OK with them. In our corporatist culture, the guy's being a dork on a dorky bike may be what actually sold the script.

I think a 40 year old virgin who rides a cruiser around (which actually gives him this positive quirky charm) trying to GET LAID is what sold the script.
In fact, you put anything out there about someone GETTING LAID and they'll buy it.

Well, if he lived in Houston, Texas, serious impediment would be an understatement.

Speaking from experience? alanbikehouston.. ;)

Just once I'd like to see a commuter portrayed better in movies, like a chick in full team kit, colnago carbonissmo, large messenger bag, running lights and darting into 8 lanes of cross traffic.
Is that too much to ask?

Two movie recommendations:

2 Secondes is a French Canadian film about a female downhill racer - turned - bike courier. I bought the DVD.

The Time Machine remake from a couple years ago depicts a future where at least one very attractive woman commutes by bike wearing a flattering form-fitting garment. Too bad she doesn't spend more time on screen. She almost makes the rest of the movie worth watching. Several parts of the movie have an overly preachy anti-automobile subtext, but there are a couple of jokes of that cyclists will appreciate.

-Steve

Well, if he lived in Houston, Texas, serious impediment would be an understatement.

Alan, I beg to differ, this happened to me yesterday:

I'm sitting outside work, I'm in my cycling spandex, and this incredibly gorgeous blonde, 20-something, with this toned body (especially her calves... uuuhhhhh), wearing a power suit and stockings comes up and starts chatting me up concerning cycling.

I'm trying to be helpful, authoritative, sagacious and all that, but really I'm smiling inside and out thinking "Yes! This is such a cool hobby! It has turned me into a babe magnet!"

Quite the opposite from the portrayal of the cyclist commuter in "40 Year Old Virgin" !

That's the second hottie who has chatted me up recently while I'm outside our office tower in cycling kit.

So she has my business card, she's going to email me to get more information on our corporate club.

This is just so entertaining. What fun.

So she has my business card, she's going to email me to get more information on our corporate club.

This is just so entertaining. What fun.[/I]


Let us know how you dooooooooo :beer:

The Transporter 2 is coming!


/hijack off

Holy cow... I can't believe you can remember that in such detail after you woke up... :p

Alan, I beg to differ, this happened to me yesterday:

I'm sitting outside work, I'm in my cycling spandex, and this incredibly gorgeous blonde, 20-something, with this toned body (especially her calves... uuuhhhhh), wearing a power suit and stockings comes up and starts chatting me up concerning cycling.

I'm trying to be helpful, authoritative, sagacious and all that, but really I'm smiling inside and out thinking "Yes! This is such a cool hobby! It has turned me into a babe magnet!"

Quite the opposite from the portrayal of the cyclist commuter in "40 Year Old Virgin" !

That's the second hottie who has chatted me up recently while I'm outside our office tower in cycling kit.

So she has my business card, she's going to email me to get more information on our corporate club.

This is just so entertaining. What fun.

Just practice safe sex......... by locking your bicycle up :D
And don't forget your helmet.

Let's not forget the movie Dave (1993) where the title character (Kevin Kline) is shown coming to work by bicycle. It establishes him as slightly goofy and well-meaning. Later scenes show him driving a ten-year-old Honda Civic, to the same effect.

Or arrested development, where the main character, the only responsible one, rode a red road bike to work in a suit and tie.

Or arrested development, where the main character, the only responsible one, rode a red road bike to work in a suit and tie.

that's right!!! i meant to post about that a while back. jason bateman plays the only normal person in his family, and through his own choosing just rides his bike everywhere. they never go into detail and he just brushes it off. may play into his "simple and most logical" outlook his character has.

i think he stopped riding when he bought the "staircar" (an aircraft stairway they were driving all over the city"

i can't wait til that show starts again - i think it's on monday's soon....

Holy cow... I can't believe you can remember that in such detail after you woke up... :p

:lol: :lol:

I was awake... you can't read Penthouse Letters when you're asleep! :D

Holy cow... I can't believe you can remember that in such detail after you woke up... :p