Comments on: The Way “Bicycle Tourists” Are Perceived By The Public http://bicycletouringpro.com/blog/the-way-%e2%80%9cbicycle-tourists%e2%80%9d-are-perceived-by-the-public/ Bicycle Touring Pro Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:05:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Bruce http://bicycletouringpro.com/blog/the-way-%e2%80%9cbicycle-tourists%e2%80%9d-are-perceived-by-the-public/comment-page-1/#comment-9860 Bruce Tue, 01 Mar 2011 06:45:15 +0000 http://bicycletouringpro.com/blog/?p=889#comment-9860 I think in some way you are right Darren but also I have to also say that as someone who has been using a bicycle as my only form of trasport for a little over 12 months now. I have become I bit of a celebrety in my own small town ttrundling into town most days of the week usually with empty panniers and at leaast once a week with a trailer in tow. I find young children with their parents are te ones that tend to break the ice by looking quizically at me. Then I say hello with a big friendly smile. I have had many people stop and chat with me about my set up as I am about to head back out of town fully laiden. We also have somene in town who actually has a multi trailer set up. consisting of a mountail bike towing a trailer bike on a gooseneck to the seat post and on the back of that one of those trailers for young children. Now that set up really does turn head even if it is on the cycleway. My point is it is up to us to make the bridge to the rest of the community and to dispell the bad name cyclists earned back in the 1980's when bicycle couriers were terrorising pedestrians and motorists alike with their scant regard for anyone I think in some way you are right Darren but also I have to also say that as someone who has been using a bicycle as my only form of trasport for a little over 12 months now. I have become I bit of a celebrety in my own small town ttrundling into town most days of the week usually with empty panniers and at leaast once a week with a trailer in tow. I find young children with their parents are te ones that tend to break the ice by looking quizically at me. Then I say hello with a big friendly smile. I have had many people stop and chat with me about my set up as I am about to head back out of town fully laiden. We also have somene in town who actually has a multi trailer set up. consisting of a mountail bike towing a trailer bike on a gooseneck to the seat post and on the back of that one of those trailers for young children. Now that set up really does turn head even if it is on the cycleway.

My point is it is up to us to make the bridge to the rest of the community and to dispell the bad name cyclists earned back in the 1980′s when bicycle couriers were terrorising pedestrians and motorists alike with their scant regard for anyone

]]> By: 121501; living nomadically + « self-transformation response http://bicycletouringpro.com/blog/the-way-%e2%80%9cbicycle-tourists%e2%80%9d-are-perceived-by-the-public/comment-page-1/#comment-9217 121501; living nomadically + « self-transformation response Wed, 15 Dec 2010 20:53:09 +0000 http://bicycletouringpro.com/blog/?p=889#comment-9217 [...] safariofthemind Here’s an interesting writeup about how we all are perceived on the road. http://bicycletouringpro.com/blog/th…by-the-public/ [...] [...] safariofthemind Here’s an interesting writeup about how we all are perceived on the road. http://bicycletouringpro.com/blog/th…by-the-public/ [...]

]]> By: Ralf http://bicycletouringpro.com/blog/the-way-%e2%80%9cbicycle-tourists%e2%80%9d-are-perceived-by-the-public/comment-page-1/#comment-6863 Ralf Thu, 29 Apr 2010 04:29:13 +0000 http://bicycletouringpro.com/blog/?p=889#comment-6863 I would not emphasize that some bicyclists have expensive bikes or gear, since that could result in reduced safety for bicyclists. I haven't gotten to talk with bicycle tourists. Given the opportunity, I would want to ask about their bikes, gear, and distance per day, and find out whether they were having positive experiences. This would satisfy my curiosity, and give me something to tell other people. "Guess what I saw today..." I think most people would have this sort of reaction, if they had no prior experience with bicycle tourists. My negative reactions about some bicyclists have to do with danger, and have nothing to do with bicycle tourists. Bike couriers are the number one problem in the vicinity of my office; they make the roads and sidewalks dangerous. The number two problem is bicyclists who make no sound before overtaking pedestrians; who zoom by pedestrians without keeping their hands on the brakes (and even do this while riding with no hands); who ride like bats out of hell with no lights at night; and who ride through red lights, up one-way streets, and so on. It would be difficult for bicycle tourists to overcome an image problem that I would guess is created mainly by other bicyclists. I would not emphasize that some bicyclists have expensive bikes or gear, since that could result in reduced safety for bicyclists.

I haven’t gotten to talk with bicycle tourists. Given the opportunity, I would want to ask about their bikes, gear, and distance per day, and find out whether they were having positive experiences. This would satisfy my curiosity, and give me something to tell other people. “Guess what I saw today…” I think most people would have this sort of reaction, if they had no prior experience with bicycle tourists.

My negative reactions about some bicyclists have to do with danger, and have nothing to do with bicycle tourists.
Bike couriers are the number one problem in the vicinity of my office; they make the roads and sidewalks dangerous.
The number two problem is bicyclists who make no sound before overtaking pedestrians; who zoom by pedestrians without keeping their hands on the brakes (and even do this while riding with no hands); who ride like bats out of hell with no lights at night; and who ride through red lights, up one-way streets, and so on. It would be difficult for bicycle tourists to overcome an image problem that I would guess is created mainly by other bicyclists.

]]> By: ConnieD http://bicycletouringpro.com/blog/the-way-%e2%80%9cbicycle-tourists%e2%80%9d-are-perceived-by-the-public/comment-page-1/#comment-6197 ConnieD Fri, 12 Mar 2010 05:35:33 +0000 http://bicycletouringpro.com/blog/?p=889#comment-6197 I think, Darren, the clothing you had for your 9-months in Europe were "the right look" for a bicycle tour. I am particularly thinking about that "exit" video, you did. I do think that is pretty much how most traveler's dress these days: clean, casual and comfortable. I do know many bicyclists like to be non-conformists. I know I don't want to fit-in, if it means having no enthusiasm for life, gossiping and making unthinking nasty remarks about "different" people. I like diversity! I also know there is a certain amount of visibility in wearing a funny hat, for example, or even brightly colored spandex. Nevertheless, I think the "image" you project is a good one for an ambassador for bicycle touring and bicycle travel. For me, it is adventure travel. I know, I want to look good. I want people to feel comfortable, and speak to me. I think, Darren, the clothing you had for your 9-months in Europe were “the right look” for a bicycle tour.

I am particularly thinking about that “exit” video, you did.

I do think that is pretty much how most traveler’s dress these days: clean, casual and comfortable.

I do know many bicyclists like to be non-conformists. I know I don’t want to fit-in, if it means having no enthusiasm for life, gossiping and making unthinking nasty remarks about “different” people. I like diversity!

I also know there is a certain amount of visibility in wearing a funny hat, for example, or even brightly colored spandex.

Nevertheless, I think the “image” you project is a good one for an ambassador for bicycle touring and bicycle travel.

For me, it is adventure travel. I know, I want to look good.

I want people to feel comfortable, and speak to me.

]]> By: 181 Free Articles About Bicycle Touring, World Travel And Lifestyle Design | Bicycle Touring Pro - Inspiration For A New Generation Of Bicycle Travelers http://bicycletouringpro.com/blog/the-way-%e2%80%9cbicycle-tourists%e2%80%9d-are-perceived-by-the-public/comment-page-1/#comment-3935 181 Free Articles About Bicycle Touring, World Travel And Lifestyle Design | Bicycle Touring Pro - Inspiration For A New Generation Of Bicycle Travelers Sat, 09 Jan 2010 02:03:49 +0000 http://bicycletouringpro.com/blog/?p=889#comment-3935 [...] The Way “Bicycle Tourists” Are Perceived By The Public [...] [...] The Way “Bicycle Tourists” Are Perceived By The Public [...]

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