Bike Forums - Does appearance matter?

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- - Does appearance matter? (https://www.bikeforums.net/advocacy-safety/103398-does-appearance-matter.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helmet Head

If you think motorists are noticing whether your bike is clean or not I think you're looking way too deep.

Hey, you said good VC was a subtle thing... a matter of inches... why shouldn't the image of the cyclist, to the motorist, also play into that? Look "pro," look "fast," and drivers assume you know what you are doing... (and perhaps raise their speed estimates... )

Quote:

I still think that if your dress, bike, color of bike, cleanliness of bike, or "image" is affecting how you are treated, it is most probably a secondary effect stemming from you behaving differently because of how differently you feel due to these factors, not from motorists (and other cyclists) reacting directly to these factors. Even the case where cyclists acknowledged you when dress in bike clothes, that might be because you looked up and acknowledged them first? But there I could see some Lance wannabees being more likely to wave at someone who also looks like one than someone who looks like a "folk cyclist".

Serge

Well I rather have to agree with you there... this is much like the "cleaner car drives better syndrome."

As far as the other cyclists... I have always tried to wave or acknowledge other cyclists... getting a wave or nod back is a different story... prior to the "kit" and on my flat bar bike, other flat bar bikers would respond, but not drop bar riders. So the Lance wannabee theory is probably correct.

I think all BikeForum members should swear an oath to faithfully return the wave of any passing cyclist without regard to race, creed, color, colors, bar style, number of gears, type of shoes, etc. I'll always return a wave if I can. If I don't, it means either I didn't see yours in time, or I'm on a patch of road where it's unsafe to remove a hand from the bars.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Moto

I agree... we gotta have solidarity... it can be a wave, or raising of the hand from the bars or even just a nod. The other thing I always do is ask if anyone needs help, if they appear broken down or flat... whatever. I always ask.

Hey yeah always wave if possible, always help if possible, should be automatic.