wilson_smyth

This is for the new people uncertain of themselves and also for the seasoned cyclists.
This man knows the truth.

Summary:
-New folk, youre doing fine, dont worry about having the right clothes, shoes, technique, bike etc, just enjoy cycling.
- Seasoned folk: Encourage, encourage, encourage, encourage. Every new cyclist is a potential new advocate for cycling, for safer roads and is someone doing something for their health.

caloso

I saw this when if first came out and I love it even more now. Phil rocks!

boilermaker1

Aren't most new cyclists about 5 years old and unconcerned with things other than staying upright?

Notso_fastLane

You'd be surprised.

tomato coupe

Kids are very aware of sock height by the time they're 4 years old.

Iride01 

I agree with his sentiment. But once they come here and post a message then we are at the point he makes at 2:19 into the video.

But in general we do need to be better and not discouraging anyone from riding....... how ever they want to do it.

And there are people that have never cycled out in the real world. I looked at a used bike for sale once. The guy was about his mid to late 20's. He'd been riding the bike on a trainer most all the time he owned it. He was afraid to ride uncomfortable riding out doors. I don't know that I was any help, but I did tell him that if he'd just get out and do it, he'd get more comfortable with it.

guachi

My wife isn't particularly comfortable riding outside on many of the roads where we live and I don't blame her. But all that means is we look a little harder to find better places to ride and put the bikes in the car and take 15-20 minutes to drive there.

DaintyCalves

My wife is the same. We live in the country but our home is just off the highway so traffic moves fairly quickly and they seem to have a general disregard for people walking/cycling. We take a short drive up the road and have all the quiet km's we need to ride on and build her confidence.

Skulking

But coming on Bike Forums to shame people for having a high RHR is still fair game, right?

Shay Howe 

This, with emphasis. Another thing that might be well to avoid would be having the audacity to lecture a newbie about what they want/don't want or tell them "you'll hate [whatever]"- even if it should happen you're correct, it gives said newbie the impression that you're a model of egocentricity, there to tell them the inner workings of their own mind and really, how much unmitigated gall does that take? "Hey internet rando, let me tell you what you like!" (Not directed at you specifically, mind.)

cbrstar

Currently I'm working as a Youth Employment Councilor (18-25), and I've been coming across a huge amount of young people without drivers licenses. In fact I would say it's only 1/10 with a DL in my area. But the surprising thing is that they don't also cycle! IMHO it's because their helicopter parents have been a full time taxi for them all their lives. For example as a kid if I wanted to go play baseball on the other side of town I had to get there on my own and that meant walking or cycling. My Dad would show up for a major game but even then only if he wasn't working. Now days the parents drive the kid across town and then sit there for hours and hours to support them even if it just practice. Kids flourish with support but instead of developing being independent they are developing co-dependency. When they finally have to go out into the world their anxiety sky rockets and they cope by shutting themselves in. Of course this isn't all kids.

TLDR:
But I believe when you cycle for freedom and transportation no snobby jerk is going to discourage you from doing it. If it's just exercise and a sport and you're not in love with it then your are not going to stick it out.