Originally Posted by
willpetras 
In Belgium when I carry a bag of groceries, or other purchases, in a bag that hangs from the handlebars people give a look like "That's good. Enjoying yourself". It's like a status symbol. In the US I have literally had people, usually well-to-do older women, gasp in horror as if to say "How heathen! Our community is becoming a ghetto" I could actually hear the gasps. Amazing.
But what's sick about it, and I mean actually sick, is the US is far, far less healthy than Europe, in large part because the emphasis and embracement on physical activity in Europe. I see 80 year men and women on bicycles that can ride with more vigor than any age American!
Originally Posted by
willpetras
I wasn't at all talking about people hating bicycles. I was talking about the attitude towards the idea of using a bicycle as a major form of transportation. I used the term "Europe" to describe the general sentiment of the continent. I have not been to the UK but my best guess is that someone using a bicycle to get groceries is not out of the ordinary. In the US it definitely is and is often looked down upon.
I think that Belgium people smile at you when they see you with bags on your handle bars is not indicating approval. They are smiling at just another ignorant tourist that does not know how to haul groceries.
You must live in an area with a lot of small-minded people. I ride close to 1,000 miles a year going to the grocery store, gym, library, and miscellaneous trips around our small town. it has a lot of hills, so you would not enjoy it regardless of attitude. I've worn semi-dress clothes, bike clothes, workout clothes, and grubby work clothes. I have never experienced anything like you are describing. Just the opposite, most folks say they envy my wife and me for having the gumption to ride our bikes rather than drive places. We do get a strange looks from folks who know us when they see us in the car
One of the major reasons that bicycles are used on the "continent" is the older cities were never designed for cars, and for intra-city travel bikes are faster in most cases. Think about Amsterdam if everyone was driving cars. Some of the newer cities, rebuilt after the war are very pedestrian and bike unfriendly in areas, and more motor vehicle centric. You can't judge the entire continent by visiting small sections of 2 countries.