Originally Posted by
FBinNY
+1, IMO there's something fundamatally wrong with the group think attitude of some cyclists. We're not members of some cult, subculture or closely identified class. Cyclists are simply folks that ride bicycles, no more and no less. To imply that what any one person who happens to be on a bicycle somehow represents other cyclists, or reflects on them in any way makes about as much sense and saying that a black drug dealer implies that all blacks are drug dealers,or an Italian mobster means that all Italians are mobsters, or a crooked cop means that all cops are crooked (and so on).
Interesting. I see your philosophy about the matter, but the reality is that the perception is always there, it's a demographic. When I was in the Navy, we were constantly warned to watch our behavior out in town because, as a broad generalization (which I have found to be accurate), in the eyes of the public someone in a military uniform represents the military as a whole. Same reason why I take my federal badge off when I leave the building, it's possible for me represent the organization I work for in a negative way and the last thing this beauracracy needs is bad
pr. You may disagree with grouping people together by what they do, but it happens all the time. You said it yourself, cyclists are folks who ride bikes...how is that not a group of people? Don't tell me you've never judged a culture, demographic, occupation, etc by one person. Everyone does it, and everyone knows everyone does it. This ideology is ubiquitous. You do represent other cyclists on the road, despite your opinion of the matter...we (see there, I write "we" because I am fairly certain you will understand that I mean "we who ride bicycles") do the same thing and make generalizations about dickheads in vehicles on the road. Thinking that this does not occur is simply wishful.