Originally Posted by
aley
How nicely you fit all drivers into little boxes. On the days when I drive to work, since I'm not hostile toward cyclists, you claim that I suddenly become a sheep and depend on my car for everything. My bike, like Schrodinger's cat, ceases to exist (or, more properly, goes into an indeterminate state) once I get in my almighty car, and I become exactly like all the other "cartards" out there, if we believe your point of view.
In fact, I remember what it was like to be a car commuter before I started driving. I'd see cyclists on the road, give them plenty of room, and think, "That looks fun. I should try that!" Obviously, eventually I did, and it was at least as much fun as it looks. I was neither a sheep nor a car-dependent person, and I've never been one to eschew a nice walk in favor of a short drive.
You tell us what drivers "typically say". Can you back this up with documentation? A peer-reviewed journal article would be best, but even a self-conducted survey of ten or more randomly-selected drivers would do. Or was this just something you made up?
Just something I made up.
Not really.
My statement doesn't apply to every single driver out there. I suppose I should have gone into great detail with a disclaimer like:
This statement does not represent every driver on the road, nor is it meant to imply that every driver is a slave to his/her automobile or motorized transportation of choice. Furthermore, this statement acknowledges the possibility that every single motorist or driver of an automobile/motorized transportation is very likely a person of great civic responsibility and un-reproachable character and manners. This statement about the supposed negative or dependent mindset of motorists in no way implies that the mindset of motorists is in any way negative or dependent, and does not seek to injure/damage/impune the character or psychological health of any motorists reading it. This statement does not necessarily reflect the views of the author, or of Bike Forums, or of any member participating in these forums, unless it does. The attitudes and behaviors of motorists described in any derrogatory comments are assumed to have never happened unless substantiated proof can be provided. Until such a time all accounts of behavior are fiction, and in no way are intended to reflect poorly on motorists, and as such the author is in no way liable for the content or for any psychological distress experienced.
There, that should cover me for the days that I drive too. I guess I assumed it my statement would not be read as applying universally to 100% of people out there, because that would be silly. On re-reading it, I can see how it can be read as such, particularly by the very sensitive.
I'd say,
anecdotally, that out of 10 drivers I know or encounter: 1 is angry or hostile, maybe at me, maybe at the world, maybe at his own obese self. (Jeez, there I go with more inflammatory statements. Read the disclaimer above.) A tiny fraction of 1 is a bicycle commuter, and the rest of that 1 is highly courteous and supportive of cyclists. 8 are simply completely uncomprehending on every level. Also implied...if I had not been speaking anecdotally I would have provided citation from a peer reviewed source, or my own statistical analysis of significance. Since I'm simply happily typing anecdotes on a webforum...
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that you and I, when we drive, fall into one of those categories above. I won't tell you which one you fall into, because I wouldn't want to paint an inaccurate picture of you inadvertently...so I'll let you pick and then decide if you're going to take offense, based on the category you place yourself in.
