Whilst looking at the Cycling Culture report, I came across an interesting blog post – where the researchers asked numerous cyclists:
- ‘How would you describe yourself as a cyclist?’. -link
One striking thing is the sheer diversity of replies. Some reply:
- 100% cyclist
- 100% legal
- A cycling cyclist!
- Rapha glad, carbon frame, stylish, advocate
- Since moving to London: aggressive vehicular cyclist. Before London: I’m Dutch, with all Dutch cycling expectations.
- born again cyclist. started commuting 2 years ago after 20 yrs off a bike.
Others are more embarrassed at the idea of being labelled a cyclist
- I wouldn’t describe myself as a cyclist. I’m a person who uses a bike. Our mode of transport shouldn’t define us, and the word ‘cyclist’ dehumanises the person on the bike.
- I’m not a cyclist – I’m a person who sometimes rides a bike (I also use bus, trains and even drive a car but that doesn’t make me a bussist, trainist or motorist!)
- Non-lycra commuter cyclist. Slow and steady, always wearing helmet and lights. Its the only exercise I get.
non-lycra pootle along cyclist - not a cyclist as much as possible
Popular labels
- Commuter
- Commuter + (mother, social, utility)
- Experienced
- Experienced + (cautious, )
- Passionate
- Confident but cautious
- Utility
- Fair weather
- Fast and law abiding.
How Would I describe myself?
After reading all that I’m lost for words. I guess at times I’m:
- Common sense commuter. (like to be safe and courteous to other road users, but think common sense more important than letter of law)
at other times I’m:
- Hill climber
- Fast as possible. If I don’t do 30mph I’m disappointed.
- touring cyclist.
There are other (rare) times when I’m happy to be a ‘pootle along kind of cyclists’) Most labels I could apply to myself at some stage, though I doubt whether I could ever use these labels:
- A feminist cyclist – pedalling against the patriarchy
- a happy agressive..
- Militant
The wonderful diversity of cyclists (or if you prefer people who happen to use a bicycle as form of transport)
In one sense, any label seems ineffective, and it’s probably best not to think about it too much, but
- ‘How would you describe yourself as a cyclist?’
BTW: If you haven’t taken Cycling Info’s test – find out which kind of cyclist you are.
Like the article, thanks.
I am a fast, farsighted and friendly commuter.
I live in Amsterdam and take pleasure in being very fast, thinking ahead, never having to stop, all the way through the centre, along Central Station. I’ve you’ve ever been there, you know no city planner can ever make hordes of tourists understand cyclists. So, I forgot something:
I am a proud, fast, farsighted and friendly commuter.
There aren’t many cities where you can cycle to the centre without having to stop. Tourists never lookout for cyclists in Oxford either
As I once posted on my blog I am a cyclist with a split personality.
On my commute I definitely agree with the “Common sense commuter. (like to be safe and courteous to other road users, but think common sense more important than letter of law)” statement. But I am not a fan of being overtaken on my ride into and out of work – that’s just in my DNA as a relatively high level athlete when I was young and it does mean commutes are always fun.
I wear lycra but hidden under baggies for my commute – there is no way I am allowing some people at work to oggle me in lycra! For weekends I am an out an out lycra guy.
I am also a born again cyclist – I used to hate it as a youngster though. I am 100% bitten by the bug now though.
Age is now the biggest determining factor as to what type of cyclist I will end up being – I hope to be someone who can cycle 100 miles + for 2 or 3 days running. Currently I can only manage for one day in a row and then have to rest my aches for a day or two. And I would also like to not be the last person up a hill every time!
But I think more than anything else – I am someone who enjoys the fact that with cycling, the more I put in the more it gives me back in enjoyment and health – this is more rare than you imagine for things nowadays.
Nice. Hope you make the 3 consecutive days of cycling 100 miles!