Fifty Plus (50+) - Quik Trip "Bike Guy" Commercial

Anybody seen this TV commercial yet? I can't find a video of it yet but find it kind of offensive. It features a doofussy-looking cyclist taking up a whole lane and holding up an angry, honking line of cars. Funny maybe but not at all flattering to us. Or am I being too sensitive?

Be on the lookout for it. (QT is a convenience store for those who don't have them.)

Contact the local bike clubs and find out whether they have any plans to act.

We do not have them here in W Pa. I would contact their corporate people and let them know of your displeasure as a cyclist with the ad. You might note(if you do this) that your group of cyclists stops for a break at their stores and your money is green also. We often have a C store stop on scheduled rides.

You may be surprised how much power the customer has. Here is their web site: http://www.quiktrip.com/ If it is a public company go for shareholder relations to get the quickest action.

They're protected under the 1st Amendment.

Signed, Henry the Friendly Unicorn.

Anybody seen this TV commercial yet? I can't find a video of it yet but find it kind of offensive. It features a doofussy-looking cyclist taking up a whole lane and holding up an angry, honking line of cars. Funny maybe but not at all flattering to us. Or am too sensitive?

Be on the lookout for it. (QT is a convenience store for those who don't have them.)

No, you're not overly sensitive. I had the same reaction.
And plan to let QT know about it.

Haven't seen it yet, what time did you see it.

And it would just be too much if it was used during a re-run of this old sitcom episode.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHHe4zKdZuI

The only way to redeem that episode of "Different Strokes" would be to have the old lech led away in handcuffs.
Just a coincidence that he was a bicycle man.

Oh, I realize that.

BTW, I discovered that series sometime ago when I was looking for a "humorous" video to respond to a thread about the LBS experience. I chose not to use it at that time.

I am in retrospect very upset they used a LBS as a platform for a pedo.

However, the essential problem here in the good ole USA is that riders are viewed as self absorbed, obstructionist twits or genuine threats to the fabric of society.

However, the essential problem here in the good ole USA is that riders are viewed as self absorbed, obstructionist twits or genuine threats to the fabric of society.

But......we are.

At least I admit it.

I haven't seen anything in real life that bad, but I've been having problems on the rural roads in my area of late. Most particularly when I'm the 2nd car coming up on cyclists riding in pairs. The one riding on the outside, pulls in and allows the first car to pass, then without checking, pulls back into the road right in front of me. Has happened 3 times in the past 2 weeks. Very scary.

There isn't much traffic out here, so I guess they just don't expect a 2nd car close behind.

Oh, and none of the 3 had a mirror.

No, you're not overly sensitive. I had the same reaction.
And plan to let QT know about it.

Ah good. Someone else has seen it. I still can't find the video online but will keep looking. Saw it around 9:00 PMish Wednesday evening but have not run across it again. Sorry, I can't remember the network.

I'm a motorcyclist as well. I had an incident of prejudice at a local gas station where the owner told me I couldn't park "that motorcycle" in front of his store while using the restroom after filling the bike. I asked him why to which he replied "you a$$holes are bad for business." I asked him to repeat to it and he did. I told him he'd regret that.

Fast forward to 4th of July in a town that makes millions on the fireworks,carnival and all that. Picture 300 or so motorcycles pulling into said gas station with each one paying cash for 25 cents of gas (fast reaction times) and waiting around for their associates. Took almost 2 hours. He called the police. They said no one was breaking any laws and nothing could be done. Just as we were leaving I went inside and told him he was right,we are bad for business if we wanna be. I wish I could have taken a picture of the look on his face. You could argue we didn't further the cause but I say he was beyond redemption and deserved losing all that money to the guy on the opposite corner of the intersection. Creative action is the key.

Hopefully somebody will get it on YouTube soon. I'll withhold judgment until I actually see it, but I'll probably be sending a complaint afterward.

They're protected under the 1st Amendment.

Not from market consequences.

Creative action is the key.

I like the way you think!

I like the way you think!

I really wanted to punch him in the mouth. A moments pause cured that.

I really wanted to punch him in the mouth. A moments pause cured that.

Good for you. Shows you're getting old... Ooops I mean mature. I mean ethical.

Oh hell that was almost 20 years ago. Today I'd probably prove him right and dot his eye.

I see riders that look like that all the time. Let's not prove that we are self-absorbed nylon clad twits, get over yourselves and laugh at a funny commercial. I personally enjoy quick trip in my marketplace and will continue to do so.

[QUOTE=The Weak Link;11434711]They're protected under the 1st Amendment.

So am I, and any who would like to complain.

So am I, and any who would like to complain.

Indeed. I do hope people will be on the lookout for the commercial and help me find a video of it to post here. Suppose the commercial was themed "geezer guy" with lots of angry drivers honking and shaking their fists at being delayed by a slow senior driver? I'll bet there would be massive blowback on that. But cyclists seem to have been viewed by the producers as a safe target for invoking a superficial stereotype.

I have not seen the commercial again, by the way. Maybe it was a short test run of it or something.

The commercial plus comments from the creator can be found here: http://chainringtatt.wordpress.com/2010/09/23/quiktrip-viral-marketing-disaster/

The commercial plus comments from the creator can be found here: http://chainringtatt.wordpress.com/2010/09/23/quiktrip-viral-marketing-disaster/

Ah Ha! Thanks for posting that! I still haven't seen it again here locally and wonder if they may have pulled it.

The commercial plus comments from the creator can be found here: http://chainringtatt.wordpress.com/2010/09/23/quiktrip-viral-marketing-disaster/

Thanks for posting this.

Here's the website for Quik Trip; I sent in an email complaining:

http://www.quiktrip.com/QTCustomerFeedback/QTCustomerFeedbackForm.aspx

I also complained via Twitter to the agency that shot the ad, they are here:

http://www.richards.com/index.html

...and I left a comment on the agency's FaceBook page.

They're protected under the 1st Amendment.

Signed, Henry the Friendly Unicorn.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

But there ARE times when it makes sense to take up the whole lane with a bicycle. I ride a short distance on a 4 lane beach road. It has horrendous storm drains. I often ride right in the middle of one lane. Cars can use the left lane to pass me, rather than crowd me into one of those drains, or into a numbskull pedestrian tottering along right on the edge of the curb. Likewise when I pass a parked car I will sometimes grab the whole lane, rather than let passers squeeze me into that parked car. And on a motorcycle it is suicide to allow a car to share YOUR lane.

Oh you gotta be kidding me? That's what this is all about? Quit watching TV and ride. ................"but I want everyone to like me". Cut it out everybody is someone's a^*hole sooner or later. If you believe this ad and others like it affect how others view you you're part of the problem.

If you believe this ad and others like it affect how others view you you're part of the problem.

I think the ad perpetuates an image of cyclists as loony, unkempt, road-hogging people. The agency picked on cyclists because they thought it was funny, and that would resonate with consumers.

They could have just as easily made the ad with a farmer going down the road with a big piece of farm equipment -- hogging the road, wearing bib overalls and chewing tobacco, with a straw hat, etc. In their part of the country, it's not that uncommon to be held up by a piece of farm equipment.

But they would never dream of lampooning farmers in that way -- too touchy. But it's OK to make light of cyclists.



It's not the biggest problem in the world, or even in the top 100 of things to worry about. But it doesn't make it right, and being annoyed does not make *me* part of the problem. I think your comment is offensive to those of us who didn't like the ad, but maybe you didn't stop to think before you typed it.

No complaint from me. I have approximately equal dislike for the driver, the cyclist and the marketing idea.

In general, I find avoiding television a boost for mental and intellectual health.

I agree that it was a lousy portrayal of a cyclist..
However, stereotypes exist for a reason. Watching without the audio, I saw an inconsiderate cyclist, whom I felt in the real world, should/could have moved to the side to let the traffic pass. As slow as he was going, it isn't like it would have cost him a lot of time; or inconvenienced him terribly to let the traffic by.

Good Lord, what a bunch of self-absorbed jackwagons. The way the commercial was being described, I expected to see someone take out their SAW and mow down a cycle club. Do whatever it takes but grow a pair of cajones and/or cultivate a sense of humor.

I think the ad perpetuates an image of cyclists as loony, unkempt, road-hogging people. The agency picked on cyclists because they thought it was funny, and that would resonate with consumers.

They could have just as easily made the ad with a farmer going down the road with a big piece of farm equipment -- hogging the road, wearing bib overalls and chewing tobacco, with a straw hat, etc. In their part of the country, it's not that uncommon to be held up by a piece of farm equipment.

But they would never dream of lampooning farmers in that way -- too touchy. But it's OK to make light of cyclists.



It's not the biggest problem in the world, or even in the top 100 of things to worry about. But it doesn't make it right, and being annoyed does not make *me* part of the problem. I think your comment is offensive to those of us who didn't like the ad, but maybe you didn't stop to think before you typed it.

No I thought about what I typed and re-read it before pushing the button. And my opinion is unchanged. We can disagree without either of us being wrong. It does portray cyclists in a bad light. No disagreement here. The difference is in our reaction to it. I don't believe an intelligent person will take that portrayal out on the next cyclist they encounter anymore than I will go out and do the same on the next driver i encounter. There is no shortage of vapid bores who having never seen that ad give cyclists grief all the time. If I offended you we'll both get over it but it only serves to hammer home my point and changes nothing. And as far as others perhaps they'd be best served by allowing them to speak for themselves. Lead by example and sleep well.

I agree that it was a lousy portrayal of a cyclist..
However, stereotypes exist for a reason. Watching without the audio, I saw an inconsiderate cyclist, whom I felt in the real world, should/could have moved to the side to let the traffic pass. As slow as he was going, it isn't like it would have cost him a lot of time; or inconvenienced him terribly to let the traffic by.

Indeed they do!

Stereotype: sociol "a set of inaccurate, simplistic generalizations about a group that allows others to categorize them and treat them accordingly."
(World English Dictionary)

"A generalization, usually exaggerated or oversimplified and often offensive, that is used to describe or distinguish a group."
(American Heritage New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, 3rd Ed.)

The video was staged and the cyclist was an actor... don't you think? We could stage almost anything, including policemen blissfully munching doughnuts at QT while bandits get away. That would be very funny.

Oh you gotta be kidding me? That's what this is all about? Quit watching TV and ride. ................"but I want everyone to like me". Cut it out everybody is someone's a^*hole sooner or later. If you believe this ad and others like it affect how others view you you're part of the problem.

Count me in as part of the problem too: the problem of people who will sometimes speak up when they are simplistically stereotyped and insulted. As Benge said, it isn't the greatest issue in the world... but it is one that seems very relevant here in a bicycle forum.

Hopefully somebody will get it on YouTube soon. I'll withhold judgment until I actually see it, but I'll probably be sending a complaint afterward.

Doubt that'll do much. I think that it's kind of like the talk show bicycle haters.

Everytime they are up for a raise, they know that all they have to do is to suggest that folks install a snow blade on their car for dealing wity bicyclists. We dutifully send in scads of complaints and emails and the talk show jerk trots them in to his boss as proof of his listenership.

They are selling doughnuts to fat drivers. They have villainize skinny guys, so who better? :)

No complaint from me. I have approximately equal dislike for the driver, the cyclist and the marketing idea.

In general, I find avoiding television a boost for mental and intellectual health. +1

I thought that was a great commercial! The hippie was totally cool. Loaded for the long haul, climbing a bridge is not easy! Allowing motorists to try to squeeze by when you can barely stay upright would be dangerous. There was construction in the passing lane. The hysterical nerd behind the steering wheel was the butt of this joke. Everyone who relates to him should go eat a bunch of those artery clogging pastries and die.

"Inconveniencing the motorist is the moral obligation of the cyclist."

I think the ad maker is one of us.

Brad Todd doesn't get it, he says "the rider is out for a workout while the drivers are going to work". I believe he is a spokesman for the donut shop, a rather dull witted one. I seriously doubt he is the creative force behind this subtle rebuke of the rapidly dying car culture (note the driver's 1950's hair, glasses, and clothes).

The rider is on an adventure, not a fitness ride. He is not going to a cubicle without his donut. Does that mean he shouldn't be allowed to share the road? Sharing means allowing others to use the road. The bicyclist is not preventing anyone from progressing at his rate. Obviously, he can not go faster. Being stuck behind slow moving vehicles is part of the everyday experience of urban driver, and stopped vehicles even more frequently. I think that's the message of this brilliant little film.

This illustrates a popular public perception of bicyclists on the road. While some react to this with cries to boycott QT, as a bicycling advocate, I think my goals would be better served by looking at all the things we do to reinforce this kind of perception.

Here is a more positive view of cycling in a series of ads for Regions Bank. These 4 ads were about the only high points in an otherwise disastrous football broadcast last night. :(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3Sb99ssKSU&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJvdVdKdQeA&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uYTFI6cCaw&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5eUqLFmkWU&feature=channel

This older one is also nice, and very telling:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2lKDFUqQGI

How do the Harley riders among you feel? Offensive,Hilarious or simply weak?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rt-ytACeVM0&feature=related

Some things seem to be more sacred than others...try finding a bad woman driving stereotype commercial, or elderly bad driver, or any other protected class. The white male seems to be ok to target, all others are off limits.

...try finding a bad woman driving stereotype commercial ..... all others are off limits.



Meet Veronica Moss. (http://www.streetfilms.org/meet-veronica-moss-auto-lobbyist/)

Why is a slow moving vehicle a negative image of cycling? Is it ever OK to impede motor vehicles, or should we pull over and wait as xtrajack suggests?

"As slow as he was going, it isn't like it would have cost him a lot of time; or inconvenienced him terribly to let the traffic by."

How long should he wait? Until no cars are using that bridge? With only one lane available, that could be very, very long wait. Like forever.

Honestly I can't believe a cyclist thinks standing still is roughly as convenient as moving slowly. Bicycles are slow moving vehicles. We love to ride bikes. Because they move. Stopping and waiting for the cars to go away is ludicrous.

There is a distressing concensus in this thread that bicycles should not impede the progress of motor vehicles. You self-described cyclists are the ones who give us a bad name. Be a little bit more assertive on the road! Cowering on the edge of the road reinforces the deadly sense of entitlement motorist often display. There is a dangerous notion that a bicycle should not impede a motor vehicle. Most posting in this thread seem informed by that notion. Cyclist educate yourselves first.

The message of that doughnut ad is falling on deaf ears.

Why do you guys hate a guy who is bicycle touring at his own pace instead of rushing to an office job? Jealous?

Meet Veronica Moss. (http://www.streetfilms.org/meet-veronica-moss-auto-lobbyist/)

That's funny...but then it was meant to be, and hardly a mainstream arena. Take the cycling commercial, or the PSA on loud pipes and insert any other protected class...I doubt you'll find a PSA showing a woman putting on makeup in her SUV lamenting distracted driving, but you will see a white male in a road rage situation.

Mind you, I'm not particularly offended by this commercial, I just can't help but notice the obvious political correctness in this type of advertising.

Here is a more positive view of cycling in a series of ads for Regions Bank. These 4 ads were about the only high points in an otherwise disastrous football broadcast last night. :(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3Sb99ssKSU&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJvdVdKdQeA&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uYTFI6cCaw&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5eUqLFmkWU&feature=channel

This older one is also nice, and very telling:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2lKDFUqQGI

Looks like I might be switching banks...

There is a distressing concensus in this thread that bicycles should not impede the progress of motor vehicles. You self-described cyclists are the ones who give us a bad name. Be a little bit more assertive on the road! Cowering on the edge of the road reinforces the deadly sense of entitlement motorist often display. There is a dangerous notion that a bicycle should not impede a motor vehicle. Most posting in this thread seem informed by that notion. Cyclist educate yourselves first.

Spare me the lecture. I do plenty of riding in all kinds of big-city and rural-highway riding conditions, and, when I feel it's the right thing to do, I "take the lane", impede traffic, put critical mass tats on the my calves or whatever else you think it is that I need to do to qualify as a cyclist.

My point about the ad is not the finer legal points of whether a cyclist should "take the lane" or impede traffic. What the ad is doing is creating an over-the-top stereotype of a spaced out, unkempt, inconsiderate "biker boy" and clearly creates sympathy with the drivers (who are eager to get on their way) instead of the cyclist.

It's not about the fine points of what kind of cyclist he is (I think only cyclists would notice that the biker is a tourist, not a commuter). And it's not about whether we, as cyclists, recognize that even the biker in the ad is obeying the law.

It's that the whole creative concept of the ad was to create an "us vs. them" mentality about cyclists vs. cars. All advertising is driven by what they call "creative" strategy, and the creative concept here is: Quik Trip represents an oasis from the things that annoy you on the way to work -- like cyclists. Cyclists are "bad" if they are slowing you down on the way to work (so stop in and get a doughnut!).

That's what p***** me off about the ad. The agency wrote a creative concept that included cyclists as the bad guy, and their client (Quik Trip) accepted it because they figured it would resonate with their customers: cyclists are the bad guy, and Quik Trip is on "your" side. ("Your" equal motorists, not cyclists).

Every time an automobile passes you on the road, a puppy dies.

Spare me the lecture. I do plenty of riding in all kinds of big-city and rural-highway riding conditions, and, when I feel it's the right thing to do, I "take the lane", impede traffic, put critical mass tats on the my calves or whatever else you think it is that I need to do to qualify as a cyclist.

My point about the ad is not the finer legal points of whether a cyclist should "take the lane" or impede traffic. What the ad is doing is creating an over-the-top stereotype of a spaced out, unkempt, inconsiderate "biker boy" and clearly creates sympathy with the drivers (who are eager to get on their way) instead of the cyclist.

It's not about the fine points of what kind of cyclist he is (I think only cyclists would notice that the biker is a tourist, not a commuter). And it's not about whether we, as cyclists, recognize that even the biker in the ad is obeying the law.

It's that the whole creative concept of the ad was to create an "us vs. them" mentality about cyclists vs. cars. All advertising is driven by what they call "creative" strategy, and the creative concept here is: Quik Trip represents an oasis from the things that annoy you on the way to work -- like cyclists. Cyclists are "bad" if they are slowing you down on the way to work (so stop in and get a doughnut!).

That's what p***** me off about the ad. The agency wrote a creative concept that included cyclists as the bad guy, and their client (Quik Trip) accepted it because they figured it would resonate with their customers: cyclists are the bad guy, and Quik Trip is on "your" side. ("Your" equal motorists, not cyclists).

Oh come on! A biker made that ad! Why is the rider fully decked out in bright colors, loaded panniers, failing on an overpass, squirting himself with water, etc? Only a biker understands riding over a bridge. The ad is about the humiliation and futility of urban driving. And donuts for the poor slobs who don't get it.

The cyclist is the good guy in that commercial!

Traffic jams aren't caused by bicycles. Bicycles are part of the solution to congestion, not part of the problem!