Rick@OCRR

I've worked in the bicycle industry pretty much all my life and it's surprising to me how few people (co-workers) commuted to and from work by bicycle. Regardless, everyone was okay with it, happy that I did it, not surprised or derisive.

Even in the one pre-bike industry job I had (drafting for the phone company in the 70's) I was the only one who rode a bike to work but still, everyone was fine with it; no worries, no hassle. I guess I've just been lucky/fortunate. Even now, when drivers say something to me, it's usually positive or at least not hostile.

Last week on the way to work (5:15AM) I heard (from a man in a black Mustang convertible) "Man, you're lit up like a Christmas Tree. No one can say they didn't see you!"

Rick / OCRR

Ekdog

+1.

It's interesting to me how many people in this thread and others like it are quick to point out that they could buy a car if they wanted to and how offended they get if people mistake them for a needy person. They want to avoid the stigma of being poor at all costs. This is a reaction to the shameful phenomenon of poor shaming.

noglider 

Wow, that's a good check for me. I probably am too class conscious.

InGrained

I am poor. And from what I see from everyone I know is cars suck up money. The amount of cash I would spend for the convenience of it is too much . I honestly couldn't afford a car. I'm fine with that cause I don't desire one. I've considered getting a motorcycle for long distances, and to carry a passenger. They cost far less, the insurance is lower, and they are good on gas so It would be a low environmental impact compared to buying a car.

Hyperventilate

Young girl: mommy, why's the uncle riding a bicycle with all those bags?
Mother: its a feature of midlife crises in males, my dear.
Young girl: Huh?
Mother: You will understand when you are older.....

SHBR

Addicting Info ? Let?s Talk About Poor Shaming, And Why It Isn?t Okay

If you use money, you are part of the class system.
Everything you own, and most of what you do has a monetary value attached to it.
Honesty is not well rewarded.

Don't worry, with enough work, you too can get a nice shiny ring for your partner. https://shanghaiist.com/2014/12/19/sc...amond-ring.php

Walter S

How about two strangers that connect on a personal level in spite of very different social backgrounds because they seem perhaps to have more common ground than many might otherwise assume?

benetga

that's funny

cobrabyte

Very well said.

cobrabyte

I think you're stretching here. You have some confirmation bias going on, reading what you want to read rather than what is written.

The assumption that one's choice of being car free is not a choice at all, but a circumstance, is simply not true for many of the commuters here. There's nothing shameful about being poor, but if you're not poor and folks assume you are on a bike because you are poor, it's also not shameful to correct them.

cobrabyte

ftfy they are people.

I-Like-To-Bike

Not every commuting cyclist is a smug, car-bashing cyclist and public transport user, or responds positively to chest pumping histrionics that infers anybody is an altruistic saint because he/she doen't need or cannot afford a motorized vehicle.

And "People [are likely to] say" a lot of things about drama queens who do espouse/display such attitude in public places.

Caribou

Beat me to it. Thank you.

genec

Wow, simply amazing. I once had a job that was only 5 miles from my house... so I went some 35 miles out of my way just to get in a good bike ride... daily.

genec

Well keep in mind that we live in a society in which one is often judged by their possessions. Some folks wear hyper expensive wrist watches even though their cell phone provides dramatically better timekeeping. Car companies constantly drone on about your worth and how one must simply own a luxury car...

This IS a consumer society... and at times one may be challenged about their "worth" due to their lack of certain possessions... I know, it's so weird, but it happens. Why in the heck do we go through the whole "fancy car" thing (it's just transportation...) when attempting to impress future potential mates.

Try dating a woman while being "car free." Talk about raising eyebrows. No, it shouldn't be that way... but this is America... and to most people, life is all about the bottom line. Go figure.

genec

Wait a minute... isn't that a sweeping generalization...

Ekdog

I know. I was born in the States and lived there up until the late 1980s. Back then there were still folks around who weren't involved in conspicuous consumption and didn't judge their fellow human beings by the cars they drove or the watches they wore. I assumed there were still a few American left who shared those values, but I could be wrong.

genec

No doubt those folks you mentioned DO still exist... they are just few and far between... and may have long hair, and greasy clothes, and ride bikes.

Try not to judge them by their appearance.

Walter S

Young girl: Mommy, that's sexist. Midlife women like bicycles too.

I-Like-To-Bike

No, this is:
"Why in the heck do we go through the whole "fancy car" thing (it's just transportation...) when attempting to impress future potential mates."

or this:

"No doubt those folks you mentioned [folks around who weren't involved in conspicuous consumption and didn't judge their fellow human beings by the cars they drove or the watches they wore] DO still exist... they are just few and far between... and may have long hair, and greasy clothes, and ride bikes."

But if you and Ekdog and some others have a good time fist bumping, chest thumping and otherwise boasting about your humility as evidenced by riding a bike, enjoy and Merry Christmas to all!

Giant Doofus

Yes, we do. Thanks for noticing.

wolfchild

Judging by appearance is as old as civilization and it's deeply ingrained in human nature.
I am sure that non-cyclists judge us cyclists by the way we the cyclist dress. A guy riding an old beat up MTB wearing jeans and dark hoody is looked upon as some "looser" who probably has a DUI and has no choice but to ride his bike for transportation, but a guy riding a road racing bike wearing his fancy spandex cycling kit is considered a rich and successful person who is just riding for sport.

onfloat

My boss asked me the other day, "Do we need to start a car fund for you?"

genec

And on any day as a commuting cyclist going to my well paid job, I could be either... except in the eyes of those that judge.

Robert C

Sure, and when there is almost enough money in it for a car, just before you give it to me . . . think of a worthy cause and give it to them.