Vehicular Cycling (VC) - I am beginning to understand the difference

I don't have any pictures of myself on a bicycle, but here is a close approximation:

http://www.streetsblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/10_29/amsterdam_biker.jpg

Albeit, in Chattanooga, not Amsterdam.

I ride an old Bauer "city bike" I inherited from an old German gentleman who passed away a while back, in his 80's. I'm not sure what year the bicycle is, but it can't be much younger than the mid-70's. I don't wear the suit jacket (usually), but I do wear a shirt and tie most days to work (except when it has been hot, then I dress for summer weather).

However, what I have found is that a large number (majority?) of American bicycle commuters look something like this:

http://cyclingentleman.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/dsc025062.jpg

I sit straight up, with a sight-line as high (or higher than?) the drivers all around me. If the bicycle falls out from underneath me, I simply put my foot down and stand up; that is, I don't travel head-first on a "hybrid", I sit straight up-and-down. Nor do I roll up my pants, my Bauer Sprint has a chain guard on it. My speeds are slow, I guess. I travel to and from work here in the City at somewhere around 10-12 miles per hour (including the numerous red lights I hit); a 2 mile commute in 10-15 minutes, all of it in city traffic.

When I'm on the public roadway, I operate according to the ordinary rules of the road for drivers of vehicles. I do this regardless of whether I'm driving a truck, my van, my car, my motorcycle, or any of my bicycles. I do this regardless of whether I'm riding a bike in an upright seating position, a bike in a more leaned-forward seating position, or a recumbent. I do this regardless of whether I'm wearing "cycling" clothes or "ordinary" clothes. I do this regardless of how the bike fits me, whether or not I can put a foot on the ground while on the saddle.

So I'm not sure what difference you're referring to, but none of the factors you mention affect whether I operate my bicycle according to the ordinary rules of the road for drivers of vehicles (abbreviated VC).

Point being? Sounds as if you're simply ragging on those who don't fit your image.

That said, there is nothing wrong riding proud and upright on your 3-speed with North Roads, neither is there anything against riding in the drops, nor the flats.

Live and let live.

-Kurt

To the OP:

here's a great qualification of the different mindsets of citizens and how they relate to bicycling in america. "the four types of cyclists" by portland department of transportation's roger geller.

http://www.portlandonline.com/transportation/index.cfm?&a=237507&c=44597



seems the strong and the brave riders like cudak and the rest of us will cycle regardless of road or community infrastructure. Ridership in america is stunted at 1-2 percent because of our collective lack of accomodation planning for bicyclists on public rights of way.

communities that plan for cyclists other than the strong and the confident using thoughtful infrastructure and enhancements for cycling consistently show higher ridership rates.

I believe you are beginning to understand some differences between styles of cycling but from your OP it is unclear what the distinctions mean to you.

BTW, I'm a speed demon on my upright bike.

BTW, I'm a speed demon on my upright bike.

Stick around and watch me sprint a Raleigh DL-1.

-Kurt

You don't know the meaning of excitement until you've wound up a sprint on one of these mofos. Feels like about 20 degrees of twist through the frame.:beer:
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q112/jzorns/Europe%202008/IMGP2981.jpg

You don't know the meaning of excitement until you've wound up a sprint on one of these mofos. Feels like about 20 degrees of twist through the frame.:beer:

On a loop frame, perhaps, but not on a traditional diamond frame.

http://www.jaysmarine.com/rudge_79dl1_041708_1a.jpg

http://www.jaysmarine.com/dl1s.jpg

-Kurt

Gorgeous Rudge!