Commuting - Either Poor or DWI. LOL!

I mentioned to my mother the other day that I started commuting to work on a bike. I was telling her about my big $80 beater bike that I ride and keep locked up outside and stuff....just the normal stuff you tell someone that just found out you ride a bike to work.

Anyway, she started laughing and said that whenever she sees someone riding their bike and they're obviously on their way to work, she automatically assumes that they are riding because they can't drive for one reason or another. And those reasons are because they either got a DWI and got their license taken away, or because they can't afford a car due to serious financial issues. Basically, no one would just ride their bike because they WANT to. (well, except for that guy at her office that rides his bike in every day.....but he's "serious.")

The good news is that she's a good driver and respects cyclists rights (even if they're just poor or have DWIs). LOL

The conversation just kinda made me laugh a little bit. I wonder if everyone thinks I'm riding my bike because I lost my license. One lady the other day noticed my bike and asked me about it. She said "do you even have a car?"

I wanted to ride the the DMV office last week to renew my license, just for kicks, but it was too freaking hot, so I drove. Imagine what people would have though seeing me locking my bike outside of DMV?

With my fairly generous cycling budget, even the undiscerning eye can tell that I ride not because of limited funding. So far, no one has even asked me about a DUI conviction,(never had one) for being a reason for riding my bike.

I wonder if everyone thinks I'm riding my bike because I lost my license.

Around here - yes! I'm asked all the time. I don't think it enters into many people's minds that there is the possibility that someone would ride a bike for health or fitness, to attempt a greener existence, or least of all(GASP!) because they actually ENJOYED cycling!

Everyone I work with thinks I'm crazy starting around December.. but I think they're partly right.

I wanted to ride the the DMV office last week to renew my license, just for kicks, but it was too freaking hot, so I drove. Imagine what people would have though seeing me locking my bike outside of DMV?

The building that houses the closest DMV to my home is butted up against a bikeway. I don't normally take that bikeway to work but I have in the past and it's not far out of the way at all. Anyway, on the way to the office one day I stopped at that DMV to renew my license. I went through the line carrying my helmet and messenger bag. I didn't really think much of it at first, then the the irony of it hit me and it gave me a little smile.

Oh yeah.. I'm pretty sure a good number of people who pass me on the road are laughing about the guy with the DUI riding his bike to work. :P Could probably get rid of that by wearing spandex.. But then I'd be wearing spandex.

The "going to the DMV on a bike" idea cracks me up. If I did that and got a look from anyone, I'd just shrug my shoulders and give them a "I'm trying!" :lol:

Honestly, a big reason I ride a bike to work is so I can leave my car in my driveway all day to confuse the robbers who love to kick in my door(s) while my car is gone. I wish I could make them understand that it is inconvenient for me to have to spend ~$1,000 on a new door every time this happens!....because I'm sure they'd stop once they found that out. :notamused:

oh yeah.. I'm pretty sure a good number of people who pass me on the road are laughing about the guy with the dui riding his bike to work. :p could probably get rid of that by wearing spandex.. But then i'd be wearing spandex.
rofl!

It's like that in my hometown (Burlington, NC). Not so much in L.A. Here they just think you're suicidal.

Hah, actually being poor, ie a college student, IS what got me commuting by bike; I couldn't afford the car repairs i needed sooooo.... But after getting back on a bike and realizing how great it is to ride, I was looking to upgrade to a better bike rather than fixing the car. Currently i have greatly reduced my dependance on the car altogether and use a mix of bike and bus commuting, guess i went green.

The conversation just kinda made me laugh a little bit. I wonder if everyone thinks I'm riding my bike because I lost my license. One lady the other day noticed my bike and asked me about it. She said "do you even have a car?"

For some reason just saying, "I'm going green" is reason enough. That seems to shut them up fast because most people feel inherently guilty because they know or feel that they are not "green" enough.

As for the motorist next to me on the lane or strangers, who gives a damn what they think.

As the saying goes "Call me anything but don't call me late for dinner."

I wanted to ride the the DMV office last week to renew my license, just for kicks, but it was too freaking hot, so I drove. Imagine what people would have though seeing me locking my bike outside of DMV?

I rode my bike to the DMV a couple times. It was not a big deal. One of the offices had a wheelbender type bike rack.

The "going to the DMV on a bike" idea cracks me up.

Why? I've done it a lot over the years. Less since online license plate renewals came into being. ;)

My friend and I were actually discussing this. He rides around town a lot, and has made me feel guilty driving short trips. Now I bike pretty much any time we hang out.

We've determined that the presence of a big shaggy beard can be one indication that you might not be riding by choice (no offense to the bearded ones here). Another, is how the bike is maintained.

It could be the beater bike that makes people ask you guys if you are financially strapped.

Ride a the latest carbon fiber wonder and all doubt will cease. But if you are not wearing spandex people will think you stole the bike. So be careful.

I'm not sure that most non-cycling people would know the difference between the latest carbon wonder and the latest wally world special.

The "going to the DMV on a bike" idea cracks me up. If I did that and got a look from anyone, I'd just shrug my shoulders and give them a "I'm trying!" :lol:

Honestly, a big reason I ride a bike to work is so I can leave my car in my driveway all day to confuse the robbers who love to kick in my door(s) while my car is gone. I wish I could make them understand that it is inconvenient for me to have to spend ~$1,000 on a new door every time this happens!....because I'm sure they'd stop once they found that out. :notamused:

That is funny!

Riding instead of driving to the DMV is the way to go because you can park your bike and go in. If you had a car, you would have to wait for a parking space. That can take forever.

I'm not sure that most non-cycling people would know the difference between the latest carbon wonder and the latest wally world special.Indeed, riding a shiny new huffy will probably have people assuming you've got more money than riding a slightly scuffed Madone.

The conversation just kinda made me laugh a little bit. I wonder if everyone thinks I'm riding my bike because I lost my license. One lady the other day noticed my bike and asked me about it. She said "do you even have a car?"

And what if you didn't?

There's a bit of an attitude around here (meaning BF) where, deliberately or not, commuters who can't afford to or legally are unable to drive are viewed with some level of contempt. It kind of seems to me that importance of cars and driving as a class symbol hasn't necessarily diminished amongst commuters.

I'm not sure that most non-cycling people would know the difference between the latest carbon wonder and the latest wally world special.

I'm sure they don't! :) I've got a Target hybrid bike (a Schwinn w/ Shimano components). I've been upgrading it slowly over time, and soon all that will be original/stock is the frame, bottom bracket, headset, and stem, but it's still clearly a Target Schwinn, and I get comments all the time from lots of coworkers about how nice my bike is and how it must have been really expensive, etc. It almost pains me to disappoint them and tell them I originally got it at Target for $200. Perhaps it's compliments on my upgrades and additions? No, it's definitely lack of knowledge.

Edit: Neil said it more concisely than I did...

Indeed, riding a shiny new huffy will probably have people assuming you've got more money than riding a slightly scuffed Madone.

The same lack of knowledge perhaps that makes people unable to realize that someone might actually enjoy riding their bike to work and not due so only out of financial need or a suspended driver's license.

And what if you didn't?

There's a bit of an attitude around here (meaning BF) where, deliberately or not, commuters who can't afford to or legally are unable to drive are viewed with some level of contempt. It kind of seems to me that importance of cars and driving as a class symbol hasn't necessarily diminished amongst commuters.

Not sure I agree. There's an entire forum on Car Free Living in addition to a lot of practical advice on bicycling for utility, etc. (including in the Commuting forum). Enough that it's made me consider not owning a car as a serious alternative instead of simply viewing car owndership as an almost necessary and indispensible convenience.

Perhaps on the rare occasions when I drive my car to work I should explain that I got nailed for cycling while intoxicated and now I have no choice but to drive a car. Would my beard lend credibility to or detract from that story?

I don't mind it if people think I'm poor because I ride a bike. Maybe they may even show sympathy for me on the road instead of running me over. I have a makeshift bracket on my rack which I can install some lisence plate on it and it is about a driver's eye level when they are behind me. I'm thinking of having one engrave with the phrase:

"Not poor, just broke. So please give me a brake"

I've had a few people ask if I needed a lift in their massive pickup trucks (oh, the irony!) but I politely told them I was only 10 miles or so from home, I didn't need a ride. The looks on their faces: priceless.

Anyway, she started laughing and said that whenever she sees someone riding their bike and they're obviously on their way to work, she automatically assumes that they are riding because they can't drive for one reason or another. And those reasons are because they either got a DWI and got their license taken away, or because they can't afford a car due to serious financial issues. Basically, no one would just ride their bike because they WANT to. (well, except for that guy at her office that rides his bike in every day.....but he's "serious.")

Some of my coworkers may have thought that at first ... but then 5 pm rolls around, and they start checking the traffic web cams and complaining about how long it's going to take them to get home. This is when I like to rub it in: "What a gorgeous, sunny day. It's going to be a great ride. I might take the long way home and go swimming." People who hear this are thinking about stop-and-go traffic on the freeway, and at least a few of them will have the heat going so as not to overheat their engines. After reading this thread, I might follow my taunts up with "Maybe you should get a DWI so you can ride a bike to work?"


I've had a few people ask if I needed a lift in their massive pickup trucks (oh, the irony!) but I politely told them I was only 10 miles or so from home, I didn't need a ride. The looks on their faces: priceless.

The only time anything like that has happened to me, has been in my kayak. If you have a mind for safety and practice capsizing your boat in the summer, to make sure you're able to do a self-rescue, you'll be surrounded by motor boats offering to help you back in, and even to tow you from the docks. You have to be able to get back in your own boat pretty quickly to shut them up. :D But I don't get the same treatment on the bike.

I've had a few people ask if I needed a lift in their massive pickup trucks (oh, the irony!) but I politely told them I was only 10 miles or so from home, I didn't need a ride. The looks on their faces: priceless.
That's actually a really nice gesture by the pickup truck guys. (unless they were planning on stealing your kidneys and leaving you in a bathtub full of ice somewhere).

Perhaps on the rare occasions when I drive my car to work I should explain that I got nailed for cycling while intoxicated and now I have no choice but to drive a car. Would my beard lend credibility to or detract from that story?

:roflmao2:

Visiting a deli on a group ride, the person behind the counter asked me about commuting by bicycle because he was about to lose his license (I have no idea why)!

Imagine what people would have thought seeing me locking my bike outside of DMV?

Done it.

Waiting inside the DMV while wearing spandex is even better. It's best to just go over the top. I pulled out my fancy phone, made some business calls, and surfed the web so I could be considered successful enough to be eccentric rather than just crazy.

I think if you are in the DMV with bike helmet, spandex etc, and someone asks why you are there, you should tell them "Because I didn't pass the road test the first time, so I'm here to try again!"

The only time anything like that has happened to me, has been in my kayak. If you have a mind for safety and practice capsizing your boat in the summer, to make sure you're able to do a self-rescue, you'll be surrounded by motor boats offering to help you back in, and even to tow you from the docks. You have to be able to get back in your own boat pretty quickly to shut them up. :D But I don't get the same treatment on the bike.

Maybe if you wore the same blonde wig and bikini top on the bike...


:P

In my last office, I was car-free and this one guy constantly made jokes about how I must have killed someone. The annoying thing about this is the weak minded who actually believed him. In my current job it isn't a problem since my wife and I now share a car and at least some of the time I have driven to work. It was amazing though how much that meme followed me around. Most industries are pretty tiny.

In my last office, I was car-free and this one guy constantly made jokes about how I must have killed someone. The annoying thing about this is the weak minded who actually believed him. In my current job it isn't a problem since my wife and I now share a car and at least some of the time I have driven to work. It was amazing though how much that meme followed me around. Most industries are pretty tiny.

Once a year, rent a convertible for a day and take your favorites out to lunch. That will put an end to it.

The best compliment I got was when my mom told my aunt I was a "cyclist".

When I was working, the kids would always ask me why I rode. I think it inspired them to want to get riding to. The funny thing is, I think the kids understood better than my coworkers.

Kids are more open minded. They don't have the hangups that grownups do.

I've had it go both ways before, some people assuming that I don't ride a bike out of a positive choice ( but because of finances, dui, whatever) and others assuming that I must be a VERY interesting, unique person since I'm a cyclist...green, extra fit, etc. hah...

As more and more people seem to be struggling financially, I don't think there should be any shame at all in cycling because you're thrifty...

I wanted to ride the the DMV office last week to renew my license, just for kicks, but it was too freaking hot, so I drove. Imagine what people would have though seeing me locking my bike outside of DMV?

Try pulling up to the pumps at a gas station on a bike to fill the tank on your trailer that you use for your lawnmower.:D

Someone recently pointed out to me that I spent more on my new bike ($850) than my truck is worth (95 2WD Dakota w/269k, worth maybe $500).

Hah, actually being poor, ie a college student, IS what got me commuting by bike; I couldn't afford the car repairs i needed sooooo.... But after getting back on a bike and realizing how great it is to ride, I was looking to upgrade to a better bike rather than fixing the car. Currently i have greatly reduced my dependance on the car altogether and use a mix of bike and bus commuting, guess i went green.
That is a great story!


I'm sure they don't! :) I've got a Target hybrid bike (a Schwinn w/ Shimano components). I've been upgrading it slowly over time, and soon all that will be original/stock is the frame, bottom bracket, headset, and stem, but it's still clearly a Target Schwinn, and I get comments all the time from lots of coworkers about how nice my bike is and how it must have been really expensive, etc. It almost pains me to disappoint them and tell them I originally got it at Target for $200. Perhaps it's compliments on my upgrades and additions? No, it's definitely lack of knowledge.

Edit: Neil said it more concisely than I did...


The same lack of knowledge perhaps that makes people unable to realize that someone might actually enjoy riding their bike to work and not due so only out of financial need or a suspended driver's license.
This is true; I have almost the same bike (mine came from Canadian Tire) and people compliment me all the time on how nice it looks. Nothing wrong with that, unless maybe they're casing it out for a future theft!


I've had a few people ask if I needed a lift in their massive pickup trucks (oh, the irony!) but I politely told them I was only 10 miles or so from home, I didn't need a ride. The looks on their faces: priceless.
I know a lady who offers me the same favor every time she sees me on my bike. I love her sense of compassion as she looks upon me and my bike with great pity. Sigh... people who don't understand the cycling lifestyle never will unless they come on board. Maybe next time I'll bring another bike and ask if she wants to join me for a ride home!

I am not innocent; I still sometimes view myself in a stereotypical fashion. I carry my car's remote key fob on my keyring, as if this somehow proves I'm a conformist and am therefore acceptable. My friends like to tease me about my bike accessories and how I'm lit up like a Xmas tree at night. Oh well, I guess growing up in a car-centered generation makes me an outsider by default. I could see myself living car-free, but my better half would never go for it. At least she joins me on family rides!

Kids are more open minded. They don't have the hangups that grownups do.

My 7-year old is frustrated that I don't transport him by bike to his summer camp/day care as often now that I have to transport his two younger siblings at the same time.

He insists that it will be safe enough to attach the Burley D'Lite trailer, with his sibs in it, to the back of his Burley Kazoo trail-a-bike, behind my Trek. He promises to pedal extra hard. I don't feel that braking would be safe, especially downhill, even if I limit my speed.

Funny that he thinks less of me for NOT cycling....

I worked 1 job for 14 years, rode my bike.
I've not had a regular job for 3 years now...
I'm my own boss... take it or leave it...
Careers as they are, are harder and harder to delve into, management is more and more difficult
the whole of the "job scene" is pretty much a muck

however, since I'm a bike guy
and I call my own shots
life is a lot different vs my previous method of "occupation"

in the last 3 years my grandfather told me, "the only people who ride bikes are illegals that can't afford cars" (Ventura, Ca)
and on that tangent
i was amazed to learn how many people are driving cars without insurance, on suspended licenses, or simply without any I.D. citizenship, etc...

I moved back to Ventura to help out my dad who died of bladder cancer, and help my grandfather and grandma.
they simply could not believe that I'd go out and ride for fun, and that riding a bike was part of my daily "practice"
that I need to ride every day, every week, and that I like to go out on tours, camp, etc... on a bike.
none the less that when I started making friends thru the local cycling community that many are professionals, MD's, engineers, etc...

My 7-year old is frustrated that I don't transport him by bike to his summer camp/day care as often now that I have to transport his two younger siblings at the same time.

Sounds like it's time for a tandem to hook that trailer onto.

When I first started riding, my neighbor thought I got a DWI or something. He said it was because I was riding in the pouring rain.

Another neighbor offered me a ride one morning when it was snowing and I was heading in to work. I guess she meant well.

Now they all know I'm just insane, and not a drunk driver. :) I really can't remember the last time I drove to work.

Sounds like it's time for a tandem to hook that trailer onto.

Yes. It's also time for a bigger garage....

Some of my coworkers may have thought that at first ... but then 5 pm rolls around, and they start checking the traffic web cams and complaining about how long it's going to take them to get home. This is when I like to rub it in: "What a gorgeous, sunny day. It's going to be a great ride. I might take the long way home and go swimming." People who hear this are thinking about stop-and-go traffic on the freeway, and at least a few of them will have the heat going so as not to overheat their engines. After reading this thread, I might follow my taunts up with "Maybe you should get a DWI so you can ride a bike to work?"

To sum it up: when was the last time you deliberately took the long way to a destination in your car?

I started out commuting on a bike because of a dui but anymore its just so much easier ive been completely without a car for almost 5 years and have no plans to get my driving privileges back anytime soon why pay the car payments the insurance the registration, up keep GAS the hell with all of it i say i think ive been spending around 200 to 300 yearly tops on my bike with repairs and upgrades thats only one month of a car payment. So when people think its funny that i ride a bike i dont pay any mind to it let em waste their money on car ownership ill keep making my double mortgage payments monthly that i wouldnt be able to do if i drove a car and have my house paid of in another 4years, not bad for being 28years old.

Yes. It's also time for a bigger garage....

Yea.. I have a 3 1/2 car garage and only my wife's van at this time. Got rid of my truck and an antique car.

Try pulling up to the pumps at a gas station on a bike to fill the tank on your trailer that you use for your lawnmower.:D

I was just wishing I had a rack on the Trek so I could go grab some gas for the mower. :)

Guess next payday's first spend will be a MEC membership and front/rear racks.

Guess next payday's first spend will be a MEC membership and front/rear racks.

So the back rack is for the gas can and the front rack is for the speakers for the realistic engine sounds?