spare_wheel

I'm sure this type of exclusivity exists in some parts of the world but I think that the pendulum has swung in the other direction in some areas. I personally see more reverse discrimination of so-called "serious" riders than the other way around. In particular, the nastier aspects of the "unracer" attitude stopped being funny a long time ago.

FBinNY 

As long as I've been a "bicyclist" racers looked down on tourists, and vice versa, and both looked down on casual "Sunday in the Park" riders and utility riders or commuters.

Elitism is alive and well in the world, and everybody has somebody they can feel superior to.

genec

The thing is I don't believe most "motorists" go through these mental gymnastics... they simply get in the car and drive.

FBinNY 

Neither do most bicyclists. This stuff is strictly for forumnistras.

B. Carfree

Oh you Lance wanna-be.

Actually, I agree that the segregationists do have a habit of doing everything they can to prevent the voices of anyone who has actually ridden a few miles from being heard, at least in the West Coast cities where I have been active. There's been a growing Balkanization of cycling over the years and it's not serving us well. Time was when racers were also commuters and tourists also rode centuries and such and century riders also raced and bike polo was something to do on wet fields in the winter. It was all just excuses to ride.

italktocats

most places aint attractive to start riding

if you want to count to 10, you have to start at 1, wich is cycling facilities for experienced riders

Machka 

I don't define "bicyclist" ... it's not a word I use. It is not included in my vocabulary.

rydabent

The term bicyclist, cyclist, bike rider, all mean the same to me. They mean someone that is riding a bike or a trike. For some small egotistical group to say that anyone that doesn ride an approved bike, with an approved kit is not a bicyclist or cyclist or bike rider is laughable. In my book ANYONE riding a bike or trike from the age of two on up is a bicyclist!!!! What do those people gain by dissing anyone that rides?

Looigi

The terms cyclist and bicyclist may be strictly defined in law or the technical lexicon of transportation engineering, but in use in the general population the meaning needs to be determined from the context in which it's being used. Personally, I'll use them to mean somewhat different things depending on to whom and what it is I'm talking about.

genec

Exactly... people just do it and don't consider themselves "anything." The only people who give themselves titles are either way into it... ie "runners," "drivers," "cyclists" etc., or are the "enthusiasts that want to pigeon hole others.

JoeyBike

When I am in the act of getting somewhere on one of my bikes, I am a bicyclist. I do not ever call myself a bicyclist, cyclist, or wheelman. I do not even like being introduced as a bicyclist. My life is much broader than that. Because I have been car free for such a long time, and have biked to every corner of the USA, it often happens that I am instantly referred to as a bicyclist. Not certain why they don't call me a "walker" or "pedestrian" as I very often just walk where I need to go. Or bike, then walk. My wife never gets introduced as a "motorist". I don't really see the distinction, but it exists.

Right this minute I should be doing something more productive than this. How would I introduce myself to a stranger at this moment?

kickstart

That's an important distinction. Some choose to make a vocation or activity their identity because they're very one dimensional, or they perceive it to make them superior to others.

FBinNY 

One can be more than one thing. Being something and identifying oneself that way are very different. Most of the things that define us aren't mutually exclusive. They can relate to ethnicity, area or residence, profession, and so on. In various contexts I might identify myself according to one or another facet of my being, but I don't stop being all the others.

JoeyBike

Same with job descriptions. "Meet my friend Jim. He's a Doctor." I am pretty certain that "Jim" is not JUST a doctor. But the title outside of a hospital or office does suggest superiority to me.

Recently there was a Chevy Silverado commercial where the owner of said vehicle was asked "So, what do you do?" of course implying "How do you make money". The commercial then takes us inside the truck owner's head where we see a speedy montage of all the stuff this guy does with his life (mostly with the truck of course). I thought that concept was pretty cool for a truck commercial at least. The Silverado owner had a nice house, probably a nice job he could thump his chest about a bit as most people would. But he couldn't just give a speedy answer to the question because he was lots of things.

If I had to pick one word to describe myself for a million bucks I would have to say I am a Bum or a Traveling Bum. I have saved up and quit so many good jobs over the past 40 years to travel (or just catch a break from the routine) that I would have a hard time naming all of them. So deep in my heart, I'm a Bum living the life of a "normal" person some of the time. A wannabe homeless person. God my wife hates when I tell people that.

Myosmith

Can't we all just ride?

kickstart

Well, yes of course, but considering many communities are spending real money to make cycling a viable mode of transportation, its a good idea to make sure those resources are used to serve the greatest number of potential users, rather than the loudest coterie.