Advocacy & Safety - 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?

For what purpose? Legally speaking there is no difference.
Grouch/snob wise well, that's a different story.

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.

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?

That's one persons opinion. In my mind, if they are on a bicycle (or tricycle) they are a cyclist.

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.

I agree. Cyclist is sort of like driver. While yuo are on the bike as long as you are the one turning the pedals and stearing it you are a cyclist. Same as with a driver.

The only time there is an issue is when the term is applied to someone not currently on a bike.

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."

So just what makes a person a cyclist vs. a person who just happens to be riding a bicycle?

The overwhelming need to compensate for their own insecurity by finding something to feel superior about? ;)

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).

Strictly speaking, of course, a lot of those are POBSOs (Person On a Bike-Shaped Object), rather than POBs.

Strictly speaking, of course, a lot of those are POBSOs (Person On a Bike-Shaped Object), rather than POBs.

Let's take it a step further. Many of them are OPOBSO's - Oblivious Pedestrians On a Bike-Shaped Object.

-Kurt

Let's take it a step further. Many of them are OPOBSO's - Oblivious Pedestrians On a Bike-Shaped Object.

-Kurt

OK so we know the obvious... there IS a difference between OPOBSOs and cyclists... except in the eyes of the law and on the grills of cars.

There IS a difference between OPOBSOs and cyclists...

...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

Depends on whether you're a snob or not.

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.

A cyclist wants to be on the bike. A person on a bike would rather not be.

A person on a bike would rather not be.

Or doesn't really know why they are.

-Kurt

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.

Depends on whether you're a snob or not.
Of if you can ride a high horse.

The overwhelming need to compensate for their own insecurity by finding something to feel superior about? ;)

Yep. Those with the least need for humility seem the best at showing it.

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.

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' :D

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

:D

A cyclist wants to be on the bike. A person on a bike would rather not be.

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.

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.

These were also the sort of folks I saw taking LAB Road 1 classes...

Anyone taking a LAB road course automatically moves up one category in the cyclist food chain...

Or was that down two?

Anyone taking a LAB road course automatically moves up one category in the cyclist food chain...

Or was that down two?
Down two ONLY if they think they move up by taking this class, or think that "proper" cadence makes them something special.

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. They at least pay attention to the road signs. Unlike scoff-laws such as many BF riders.
http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/4061/img2951v.jpg
Not photoshopped; it is a real sign.

They at least pay attention to the road signs. Unlike scoff-laws such as many BF riders.
http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/4061/img2951v.jpg
Not photoshopped; it is a real sign.

What is it, a sign for a bridge on a military base?

Down two ONLY if they think they move up by taking this class, or think that "proper" cadence makes them something special.

Beats the heck out of mashing... but then only a REALcyclist™ would know that... right.

What is it, a sign for a bridge on a military base?And I thought you would know right off. Chipcom knows. Pretty much, you see these signs on any army or marine corp base as you enter the housing areas.

Don't forget that unicycle riders are also cyclists!

I have to say that I think I pretty much agree with most of the answers, that it one doesn't require a $5,000.00 Cannondale, Giant, Specialized or Trek bike or $500.00 in clothing and/or accessories to be a cyclist. They can be riding a $20.00 Bluelight special Huffy from K-Mart, wearing their older brother's hand-me downs and still be a cyclist. I would also have to agree with Gene that as with just sitting on a bicycle doesn't make a person a cyclist anymore then a person sitting behind the wheel of a car makes them a motorist.

And even IF there was some nebulous distinction between a "real" cyclist and a "poser" I don't think that many motorists would see it and would consider anyone that they saw riding a bicycle or tricycle as being a cyclist.

What is it, a sign for a bridge on a military base?

Or a hospital zone?

And I thought you would know right off. Chipcom knows. Pretty much, you see these signs on any army or marine corp base as you enter the housing areas.

Folks get kinda pissed when they awaken to the sound of 40+ guys chanting dirty limericks in unison at zero dark thirty...or when sitting down to their dinner prayers. :D

I reckon that a cyclist is the kind of person who can spend hours drooling in his LBS, hours on internet cycling forums, hours dreaming of his next upgrade, and hours reading books about how others have travelled the world on two/three wheels - a POB would be baffled by all these activities.

A cyclist is someone who knows how to safely operate a bicycle in relatively normal society.

That eliminates over half of the U.S. population right there.

-Kurt

http://www.marinesforever.com/cadence/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN9Hc2tL7-k&feature=related

And the one I sang the most:

Up in the morning in the drizzling rain. Pack my chute and aboard the plane. C-130 rolling down the strip. Airborne daddy on a one way trip. Mission top secret destination unknown. I don't know if I'm coming home. Well stand up hook up shuffle to the door. Jump on out and shout AIRBORNE! And if my main don't open wide. I got another one by my side. and if the chute decides not to work. I'll be the first to hit the dirt. And if I die on the old drop zone. box me up and ship me home. Pin my medals upon my chest. Tell my little lady I did my best.


So how can anyone cycle with "NO CADENCE"?

I was never in the military, but an old buddy I cycled with was. Hence, I got used to cycling to a cadence :D. I should pick up that old habit again... was pretty fun sometimes. And he had some good ones! :D

/thread drift

So how can anyone cycle with "NO CADENCE"?

MP3 player of course. Rock and roll sounds so much better than my crappy yodeling too! :D

So just what makes a person a cyclist vs. a person who just happens to be riding a bicycle?

What defines a "real" cyclist will be a lifelong dedication to cycling, training hard day in, day out, high intensity, regardless of weather or obstacles.

My mom rides a bicycle to the shops, mall, park. She isn't a true cyclist.

What defines a "real" cyclist will be a lifelong dedication to cycling, training hard day in, day out, high intensity, regardless of weather or obstacles.

My mom rides a bicycle to the shops, mall, park. She isn't a true cyclist.

<insert crude mom joke here>

I got your "real cyclist" - hangin. :lol:

Don't forget that unicycle riders are also cyclists!

Amazing how they just assumed the bi part, isn't it? Sure they let a token tri in the club, but consider unis? Nooooo.

+1 to this. cyclists see their friends when riding and dont look for a good hiding spot

And I thought you would know right off. Chipcom knows. Pretty much, you see these signs on any army or marine corp base as you enter the housing areas.

I was in the Navy... Sailors tend to march only in boot camp... so no I don't recall seeing such signs during my service time... except on bridges.

A person who regularly rides a bike that fits them, while generally obeying the rules of the road is a cyclist. Particularly if they also own and operate, or have the option of owning and operating, a motor vehicle, but choose the bike instead.

A person who rides a BMX bike three sizes too small with the seat slammed all the way down, while traveling on the sidewalk contra-flow to traffic is a person on a bike. If this person had a car that runs and they could legally drive they would be in the car.
It is very unusual for this person to know, or even care, that there are traffic laws specific to bicycles and cycling.

I know a guy who rode for a while, only because his driver license was revoked for a DUI. He was back in his truck the day he got his license reinstated. He's not a cyclist either, and I very highly doubt anyone could get him to claim that he is.

Along the lines of what GeneC said on the first page, it takes a certain set of skills to operate a bicycle effectively and safely. The person on a bike isn't interested in learning these skills.

A person who regularly rides a bike that fits them, while generally obeying the rules of the road is a cyclist. Particularly if they also own and operate, or have the option of owning and operating, a motor vehicle, but choose the bike instead.

A person who rides a BMX bike three sizes too small with the seat slammed all the way down, while traveling on the sidewalk contra-flow to traffic is a person on a bike. If this person had a car that runs and they could legally drive they would be in the car.
It is very unusual for this person to know, or even care, that there are traffic laws specific to bicycles and cycling.

I know a guy who rode for a while, only because his driver license was revoked for a DUI. He was back in his truck the day he got his license reinstated. He's not a cyclist either, and I very highly doubt anyone could get him to claim that he is.

Along the lines of what GeneC said on the first page, it takes a certain set of skills to operate a bicycle effectively and safely. The person on a bike isn't interested in learning these skills.

Do we make a distinction of "driver" and "person in a car/truck/RV" for those who operate motor vehicles?

If one is riding a bike, one is a cyclist.
The level of competence, efficiency, dedication, etc. are separate issues.

Do we make a distinction of "driver" and "person in a car/truck/RV" for those who operate motor vehicles?

I think we do, we just use different terminology for motor vehicle operators. The term "driver" automatically assumes a valid license. If a motor vehicle operator does not hold a current license, then the term "driver" is qualified by the terms "unlicensed" or "driving with a revoked license".

The overwhelming need to compensate for their own insecurity by finding something to feel superior about? ;)

Doesn't this reply nail the question?

Doesn't this reply nail the question?

Not really. It's just one person's opinion, just like any other reply.

Is that pic from a military base? Was thinking it was a quiet area for troops marching--I seem to recall stuff like that from Basic in the vicinity of chapels, hospitals, etc..

Oops...asked and answered previously, sorry 'bout that.

Do we make a distinction of "driver" and "person in a car/truck/RV" for those who operate motor vehicles?

If one is riding a bike, one is a cyclist.
The level of competence, efficiency, dedication, etc. are separate issues.

Yes... we actually issue drivers licenses to "drivers" verses someone without driving skills sitting in a car... I would say there is a huge difference. Of course the loaded counter-reply to this is that we could easily debate the "skill" level of some motorists.

But the fact is that "drivers" are officially recognized, but there is no such distinction for cyclists. And as I stated earlier, just sitting in the drivers seat doesn't make one a "driver..." any more than just sitting on a bicycle makes one a cyclist.

There is even a level of recognition for those working on their driving skills, called "provisional licensing."

The difference between a Cyclist and a Bicycle Rider is the pedaling. A Cyclist is always thinking about his Cadence (as previously mentioned). The Cyclist pedals while the average Bicycle Rider is coasting. The Cyclist must have his bicycle in the right gear. The Cyclist cares more about the rules of Bicycle Racing than for the rules of the Road, he will blow a red light or two.
The Cyclist is a practitioner of the Sport of Cycling, as distinguished from those who use Bicycles for Transportation.

That's my definition of "Cyclist".