Thursday Thoughts: Toys or Tools?

Attitudes toward bicycles are interestingly varied.  For many (most) or our citizens the bike is seen as a toy.  Sadly, this is true for a lot of cyclists too.

It’s a fact that we humans categorize things.  Once we’ve put a thing in a category, we tend to keep it there.  It takes a fairly serious jolt to move stuff from one category to another.  (That’s the paradigm shift you hear about.)

Some cyclists (far too few, in my humble opinion!) consider the bike a transportation tool.  Others think of it as a fitness tool.  We may even blur the lines a bit and consider the bicycle a recreation tool.

Consider a motorist.    Is this driver a “Bicycles = Toys” type?  If so, the motorist will tend to be less patient and approving of a cyclist. After all, that motorist is going about the serious business of driving!  Sure, Mr. Motorist may be on the way to a Braves game, but it’s all about categories.  Drivers = serious.  Drivers = “We belong here.”  Bicyclists = adult juveniles, playing around, slow and in the way!

We all tend to get annoyed when our motoring trips are delayed.  But if we perceive that the delay is caused by some frivolous act, we are doubly irritated.

Let’s take an example.  It’s 8:14 A.M.  A commuting cyclist is approaching a four way stop.  Most of the readers of this blog would readily recognize the cyclist as a commuter, but not so the general public.  The cyclist, in this example, is behaving in a proper, vehicular fashion.  He stops at the line to wait his turn in the intersection rotation.  A motorist arrives behind him.  The motorist wishes to turn right.  The motorist is annoyed, and irritated, and may attempt to “bully” the cyclist.  Why?

The fact of the matter is, it doesn't matter if it is a cyclist or a motorist ahead, the time and inconvenience is the same.  In either case, the time consumed is about the same.  Yet, the motorist is much more impatient and annoyed, because it’s a guy on a bike.  (Read:  A guy on a toy!)

Folks, that’s what we are up against.  It’s not about the rationality of the situation, but rather the perception of it.  Remember, to the individual, perception is reality.  We, as cyclists do not help this, if we add to the driver’s perception of frivolity.  It’s a tough one.  Courtesy helps, but only so much.  Education helps a lot, but we spend a lot of time educating each other.  The problem is how to get the general public to see us as tool users and as part of the solution.

If you have thoughts on this, and would be willing to share them, please do so.  Let’s keep it constructive.  We’re looking for solutions and positive thought here.