Is this REALLY what people are thinking?
 

A co-worker screwed up her courage recently and asked me if the reason I bike to work every day is that I got a DWI ! Later, others commented that "Well, why ELSE would anybody bicycle to work every day?"

Apparently, it's just too difficult for the average person to comprehend why we choose to commute by bicycle. I haven't had a drink in about seven years (no drinking problem, no DWI...just a healthy lifestyle choice), yet an intelligent woman who has known me for several years asks me THAT question with a total straight face!

Do you think there are lots of people out there who look at us and right away think "DWI?"

Yep, I believe many people do think that, especially the first time they see you rode in bad weather for biking - rain/snow/cold/heat .

And you know what? It is what I think when I see someone on a converted bicycle with a motor, gas or electric!

From what I gather, that's pretty much the assumption that everyone has when they see an adult on a bicycle. The exception is if you're kitted up in lycra and riding what's clearly an expensive fast bike. In that case you're an arrogant rich jerk playing with a toy and thinking you're so important that you can hold up average people while you goof around showing off.

Those are the prevalent attitudes as far as I can tell.

Yup. Drunk or broke or both.

I was self-conscious about people thinking that at first when I was car-free. Then when I first started at my current workplace I used to make it a point to drive in at least once a week, just to dispel that notion.

However, I think that most people don't make that assumption and that your coworkers are anomalies. When anyone brought the subject up (they don't anymore), they'd tentatively offer something about saving the environment, staying healthy, saving money etc and I'd just laugh and say naw, I just like to ride the bike. It might have been in the back of their mind, might still be with some, but I seriously doubt that anyone's jumping to the worst conclusions. If they are, then if they didn't have that to home in on it would just be something else.

This is my approach. I've had a few people give me the "what did you do wrong" look in the mornings. Aside from that, my situation mirrors yours. I do drive in at least every two weeks because of needing to drive for work, but that's about it.

this might be a geographical phenomenon. here in chicago i've never had anyone question why i ride a bike everywhere. there are thousands of us commuter/utility cyclists in chicago, it's just how we choose to get around the city. and while we're still a minority compared to motorists, we're all over the freaking place and our numbers increase every day. i think in more suburban/rural areas (places where adult cyclists are more of an outlier) the DUI/DWI assumption might be more prevalent.

There are a few Court Ordered cyclists in this area.

It was in Portland where I saw a Breathalyzer ignition lock on a motorcycle.

I agree it depends where you live. Riding in the suburbs at times it's just been me and people who seemed to be homeless and/or currently drunk, let alone in trouble for a previous DUI. Within any city I think people will see enough bike commuters to just figure that's how they get to work. Especially in places where you have to pay to park I think it becomes no big deal that someone is riding a bike to work.

Here in the rural parts of NC and SC, those small scooters (any scooter for that matter) are called Liquorcycles.

One of the things I really enjoy about living in a city with an active bicycle culture is that this doesn't really happen. Pretty much everyone has a friend or relative that enjoys bike commuting, so there's no bone-headedness. But, most people still assume the winter cyclists have a damaged frontal lobe, =)

If you turn your drop bars upside down it helps to feed the perception. When I was a teenager/college kid we always called those "DUI bikes". http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U9vXZjPW-I...400/dui002.jpg

I've got a coworker (50+ like me) that rides an old 10 speed with the bars flipped. She's car-free by choice but I'm sure many assume she's had a DUI.

Holy crap! That is just scary!

I would have responded with "Yeah, it happens." Then driven in with no intention of riding the next day and made sure it was obvious to everyone that I had driven. Even to the point of asking if I could take the questioner to lunch. "I'll drive."

Ha ha! I didn't expect so many responses, let alone people who have experienced the same thing. I've been riding around the same Long Island suburban neighborhood since I was a kid (40 + years ago) and I never even thought about this. Hilarious!

I drive to work often enough that my coworkers know I'm just touched in the head. ;)

I think most people may think this because they are simply reflecting on themselves. They would not bike unless they were forced to by law (in which case they would likely take the bus). I am training to be a physical therapist, and see a lot of different people for many different reasons. One key common theme is that most people do not take care of themselves. They eat like garbage, drink to much and do not exercise at all or little. I have never been accused of having a DUI but anyone that knows me also knows that I really push health promotion. I think drinking really runs a toll on society and am an activist for people reducing the amount they drink. In anycase, good work on the commuting :)

My last job before this one was bicycle delivery so obviously no one questioned why I chose to commute by bike. My boss, however, did commute by bike because he had a DWI. Now I live basically across the street from my job so I walk to work and cycle everywhere else.

yes. i've been asked a few times if i'd lost my license due to a DWI. but most know i'm kind of an activity nut (cycling, boxing, fencing, etc.)

there was one other cyclist at work, who couldn't drive due to a seizure disorder, but i haven't seen him around for a while.....

I took my car to the LBS one day and one special needs guy who will never be able to have a licence, said " I didn't know you had a car."

BTW - If you have a trike, people think you are handicapped.

I've been reducing the amount I drink (but it's still a lot)

Seen flipped bars before... I just dont understand, how do they use the brakes when they're facing the wrong way like that? Wouldn't you get a self-actuating effect where as you stop your weight shifts forward thus pushing you harder into the brake levers in an uncontroled loop ending in locked up wheels or worse?

why not just get a long stem to raise the handlebars?




On the original topic:
On my oldest commuter bike I used to feel self-conscious about looking homeless; black bike looks dirty by default, milk crate basket, anti-theft spray paint
Felt a little better after giving it a little makeover, converted to modern threadless fork (with cleaner paint), started to unify colors - replace a silver bolt here and there with black ones to make the bike look less 'busy', same with accessories, made them all black as well so the bike doesnt look covered in random junk

Alcohol abuse within the United States is a very serious problem. About 1/3 of all motor vehicle related fatalities can be attributed to alcohol. Approximately 20% of all fire-related deaths are due to the abuse of alcohol.

Of course, the most disturbing statistic of all, is the fact that 50% of all domestic homicides are attributed to alcohol abuse.

In general, alcohol poses a very serious potential problem, if its use is not properly monitored and regulated.

What many people assume, is that we're just another segment of society that's been hampered by the addictive effects of alcohol.

Most cyclists don't abuse alcohol...

One of the nice things about riding to work is that you don't have to worry about DWI. I've been to Christmas parties and had too much to drink, and then gotten on the bike to go home. But at that time of year in Vancouver, it's around freezing, so with the wind in your face, plus the exercise, you sober up Real Fast. Plus if you do get clobbered by a car, you have only yourself to blame, and you probably deserved it anyway. Plus your body is being fueled by alcohol, which is a terribly inefficient and painful way to produce energy, so you're out of breath and not even at normal cruising speed. But when I rode up to the police road block (checking for DUI), they just waved me thru... (one of the things they do is take a whiff of the car interior, it's pretty much a dead giveaway, but on a bike, you can't tell!)

Luis

there's a paved path along the Erie Canal (not far from my house). nothing better than a cycling picnic with the wife. bread/wine/cheese and an easy ride on our cruisers with a minor wine buzz. awesome.

that said, i quit drinking for 16 years because i didn't think it was compatible with my martial arts goals.

i got over it...... :)

When I see an angry looking, overweight, 50 year old dude wearing a golf shirt on a 20 year old department store mountain bike, you KNOW I'm thinking DUI. I've seen people get charged for riding while drunk - they're putting themselves and other people at risk on public roads, so cops find a way.

+1 here. Nowadays here people think you are part of a cult and sort of admit they wish they could join you... except for <insert lame excuse here>. Bicycle culture has really expanded in the last 10 years.

It certainly wasn't always like this however. Even 5 years ago, you were regarded as somewhat unique... to put it mildly.

Not necessarily. Two former coworkers were whispering that I had got a DWI and lost my license. Part of the job requires me to drive company vehicles, so it is grounds for termination. Boss had to pull a Motor Vehicle Report. Then he told them to shut up.

I never really gave this any thought until you mentioned it. I could care less that somebody might think something like that but I do know that some of the bikes in the rack outside my job are there for child support payments and DUIs. The people I work with have known for years that I'm an avid backpacker. They were not phased when I took the notion to start commuting by bike. They and I both say I'd probably started biking 35 years ago if the thought had crossed my mind back then. Then again I've got well kept bikes and they get parked in my office every day so probably not very drunk looking.