Stupid/Funny/Ignorant things your co-workers say:
 

I've been commuting for 5 years now, taking a few weeks off in February. Not to boast, but there were conditions I really shouldn't have ridden in but did anyway (we are a car-light family).

Anyways, some of the stupid, funny and/or ignorant things my co-workers have asked or said:

"They want rain later today. You're gonna get wet!!"

Yes I will. I was born wet.



"How much did you spend on your bike? $600??? Seriously??!!"

And how much do you have in your golf clubs?


Post 'em up.

My coworkers don't generally say ignorant things, mostly because many of them ride their bike too :)

"Did you get a DWI, or is your car in the shop?" (I don't drink and I live 3 miles from work.)

"Hey (insert first name here) Armstrong!" Dumb.

"So...are you still riding to work?"

I have no co-workers, but the comments from folks who don't get or understand transportation cycling have had some really... interesting... things to say over the years.

I definitely welcome those comments vs the stuff drivers pull when around me.

- Andy

One guy I worked with years ago who would always ask, "Did you ride your bike to work today?".

I would always answer, "I ride my bike to work every day.".

The next day or two he would ask again.

Nothing ignorant. More amazement when a few find each way is (a mere) 11 miles and that I am not afraid of cars. I guess that may seem like a lot to people who don't ride a bike. But we have a few who like to ride to work. Actually more people are amazed I use the shower at work, probably unaware that I have cleaned it thoroughly.

I'll run into a this one guy in the locker room. I'm getting out of my cycling shoes "did you ride today!". I tell him that I like to casually wear my cycling shoes.

I work at a substance abuse rehab center, and patients often ask me strange things as I wheel my bike out of the office at the end of the day. My favorite happened a while back as I was walking the bike down the sidewalk to the exit road, a male patient asked "hey, do you work here? why do you get a bike?" and my reply was to hop on the bike and say "I'm escaping, don't tell anyone!" as I rode off... The look on his face the next morning when I showed up to work was priceless. He honestly thought I was a patient fleeing by bicycle and was so confused about why I rode back in the next morning :D

The silliest comment I get consistently is about what I eat, because "you'll just burn it off on the bike ride".

Annoying: did you check the weather forecast?

Kind of rude: do you own a car?

Perplexing: you are so dedicated (or inspirational, etc), or you have a death-wish

Most common: how far is your commute?

They always say I am going to get wet on the ride home due to the forecast. I always reply with the fact that it is better to get wet on the ride home than on the ride to work. Or that I don't care

"Hey, you know I live near you, I could give you a ride..." -I own two cars.

"Is that a new bike?" -I use one main commuter thats always evolving, and I ride a two others for fun on occasion.

"Youre going to ride home? Its too hot, youre crazy."

"Oh my god thats heavy!" -When lifting my commuter, fully loaded down with food, water, clothes, tools, and parts.

"Why are you late all the time?"

You have a positive attitude towards the people who speak to you on your cycling activities and IMO it is far more admirable than those who prefer to disparage their coworkers and others with smug or insulting responses for not appreciating cycling or that bicyclist for coming to work on a bike.

I had someone say that I should join bicycle races "because I ride so much." I told him he should race cars because he drives so much.

Is that the guy? Has to be the strangest comment. I heard this in the parking garage at my bike, from a group walking the other way. I looked up and saw one turning her body back the way they were walking, and I was the only guy in the area so I'm pretty sure I was the guy ... I assumed it meant the guy who always biked ... but disconcerting to speculate that I'm "that guy" in some other context ...

I was raised to be kind, and as i've grown older, i've found this is the best way to live. Be the change you wish to see in the world. :)

- Andy

"The senior executives of this company are all working for our mutual benefit rather than their own narcissistic greed fueled goals."

I guess it's been a while since anyone has said anything really stupid to me. Some still ask how I manage in the rain. When I tell them that rain is usually kind of pleasant, they look as though they don't believe me.

When I tell them that I can't let the mere possibility of rain stop me --because that would stop me way too often-- they get a look on their face that I have a hard time deciphering. I think they've mostly stopped paying attention by that time.

And sometimes they'll ask me if I'm not freezing cold out there. (Winter, of course) When I tell them that I'm more than warm enough, because I burn plenty of calories, they look as though they can believe it. But they still look as though they can't believe that it's anything but pure misery. As illogical as that is.

They mostly simply refuse to believe that life is better on a bicycle.

I work in a cafe every morning (as in my favorite table with a really great cappuccino). I'll occasionally get comments from people that they think it's very cool I ride a retro/vintage bicycle. They mean it as a very sincere compliment. I then get to explain that it's actually quite modern, efficient, and comfortable. And a Dutch city bike.

Isn't everybody?

At my previous place of employment, the only stupid question I can remember is "Did you really ride up that steep hill today?" (*silence* Well, I didn't walk it...)

Today I run my own business. My business partner, morning delivery guy, and all my regulars know I commute by bike and yet they have never asked or said anything regarding it. However, I make deposits every other day at the local bank, and the bank teller (woman in her 60s) always asks if I rode my bike that day. My same response is: "Yup!" The crazy part is she'll even ask "Did you ride your bicycle today?" even if I'm standing there with my 9yo wearing her helmet. (Though I suppose she could have rode her bike while I walked, its unlikely)

I get this one as I'm taking my helmet off at the front door.

Related: once, at a grocery store, a little girl pointed at my motorcycle helmet and asked if I rode a motorcycle. I told her no, I'm just clumsy.

You're famous!

This one maybe familiar to bald tyre users like the Schwalbe Kojak.

"Your tyre tread is all worn out. You need new tyres!"

My response "Those tyres are brand new"