rumrunn6

After having a confrontation with a cager the other day, as well as looking back at other aspects of road commuting, I think we share some things with motorcyclists. I also think I know why some "bikers" get tattoos and are overtly masculine. They have no cage but still need to protect themselves using fabric and paint like native american braves going into battle painting themselves to scare their enemys.

No matter who you are, even women and non-overtly masculine men need to be tough to road commute. Our bodies and skin are exposed to the elements and we must endure sharing the roadway and using our bodies to protect our share of "turf". We need gloves, shoes, head and body protection. And we spit.

Sometimes when I get home I feel I am tougher for it. Downright burly even. I have also found that I can get gnarly and my friends and family should not piss me off because it can result in latent road rage spillage. No I did not kick my cat the other day, but I may have been less feline in nature.

So ... going with this train of thought - if we dressed tougher would we get more respect? Should I strap a billy club to my chest? Wear fake tattoos? Leather jacket? Take the lane more and cower less?

Does walking with attitude really help protect a pedestrian from being mugged? Will riding with attitude help protect a biker (us) from being dismissed like so much road debris?

Yeesh that turned into a rant ...

CastIron

Wtf?

ban guzzi

Any one can ride a motorcycle. It takes a whole 'nother type to be a 1%er. Just as in MCs', suck it up , tough it out and do your best to not be a hood ornament for an ignoramous.

Keep a bit of an attitude but don't over do it.

mickey85

But see, we have something over the motorcyclists, at least in the winter - if a cager pisses us off, we can just unload our runny nose on their windshield. If I were to do that on a motorcycle, I'd snot all over my bike-wench.

kshapero

Flipping the bird always makes me feel better. No tattoos needed.

AsanaCycles

camera
cell phone
police report

i'm addicted to taking pics.
so i keep my digi cam in a top tube bag, that is super fast to access.

the Hero cam, sometimes i just have it recording, and mounted to the handlebar.

imi

YEAH! I'm gonna loose my helmet, grow a wild beard and cultivate a HUGE beer belly... *respect the commuter!!!* (juss kiddin not dissing)

Mr IGH

I have a Glock strapped under my arm. They might honk at me...once they see my piece, it get's real quiet....

closetbiker

not a bad idea. Dress like a biker, look tougher.

I think I'm gong to go with a pair of assless chaps

Quel

It isn't just that a biker is intimidating. It is that he is intimidating AND can catch up to you if you screw with him. Cars can speed away from cyclists no problem.

Mr IGH

In some parts of town you'll actually make friends with those on...don't ask how I know

no motor?

Is that the reason for the Glock?

iforgotmename

Hello my name is Dennis and I am a tattooed commuter and a union building laborer ...who by the way commuted to a strike line just this morning. I am 6' tall and around 220 lbs and when people mess with me and I catch them it is a little fun. I have on a few occasions earned respect for all of us cyclists They don't expect a big guy with tattoos including a fully sleeved leg tattoo to say "what the hell". Although the other guys on the line did have fun with the bike guy jokes

IbikezLA

just take the lane. Flex your legs when waiting at a light. Look confident. I get more crap from cars when I don't ride in a confident manner. Just from experience, I got honked at more when I didn't take the lane.

making

The only thing that really seems to help me a lot is riding with a lot of confidence. I am polite were I can be, but take the lane when I cant be nice. I think the assless chaps might be a problem but I really think I might, someday, have a holster for over my back made for a lever action 30/30 and ride to work a couple of times with that.

wolfchild

I wear camo pants rolled up to my knees, a messenger bag, black helmet ,black t-shirt ,a vest with lots of pockets my bike looks mean and crappy, dark glasses. I try to make myself look like a bike messenger, and I do ride very aggresively most of the time. I have noticed that a lot of people take notice of me but I don't mind especially when it's some cute lady in a car looking at me.

closetbiker

yes, and those people are, oh, so, - happy!!

TRaffic Jammer

Ride like you belong there, and you do, and they will act accordingly.

Wolfchild... to be posengeuring in Mississauga means you are one LOST little bike messenger..

riff

Drivers seem to be less agro with messengers - probably for fear of having their vehicle smacked with a ulock!

I get way more grief when out training on my road bike (lycra & all) than I do in messenger mode...

wolfchild

LOL, I know it's funny. But few times I have actually seen what looked to be real bike couriers along hurontario street in mississauga.

The Human Car

I blend right in with the tough guy image.

huhenio

more realer

huhenio

Open carry state?

If so, gotta love it ... eh?

Steel frame bike

Combat Commander

uke

lol 1.

lol 2.

BA Commuter

IMO - not wearing the Super hero clothing helps. Around here, people respect folks who commute by bike. I get plenty of good mornings and hellos! No need to look like a biker, just don't look or act like a dB when you ride...