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As seen in news reports.
It's often, "a cyclist on a black mountain bike robbed an elderly woman" etc.
Discuss.
If you are driving a car, are you a motorist?
No.
I have a few bikes. I ride a bit. I read/contribute to this forum. However, it's just one of many other hobbies and activities. I might decide to sell all my bikes tomorrow and buy a motorcycle instead, so I'm no more a cyclist than I am a skier or a mountaineer.
I reckon there are some cyclists though. In particular I'm thinking about those for whom cycling is a bit more than just an occasional hobby. Those that have cycling-related tattoos would likely qualify.
Most on here are cyclist though many folk, in the real world, just own a bicycle.
There is very little in my life I would keep instead of cycling and I cannot imagine a life without cycling
Not getting a tat though
can I be a pootleist.
CaptainFlashheart - Member
As seen in news reports.It's often, "a cyclist on a black road bike riding in the cycle lane undertook an Addison Lee Taxi and the driver is most annoyed the cyclist got to the left turn junction before him" etc.
Discuss.
FIFY
That happened to me last week in Town.
Interesting – because I don’t consider myself a ‘cyclist’ as such, even though I ride mountain bikes?? I guess I distinguish between the commuter / roadie type culture where it’s more a part of their everyday life, and me buffooning about on the trails. I’m not that interested in cycling per se.
Reading that back makes little sense – but I know what I mean (sort of what scotroutes has said).
Good topic for a front page poll though....
If you are [s]driving a car[/s] in the jungle, are you a [s]motorist[/s] junglist?
Yes, by definition. If you ride a bike you're a cyclist.
If you change the terms we use, those who are determined to hate us will merely do the same.
But;
Making the terms more inclusive will help (as in the road cc article).
The 'PC gone mad' brigade will hate it, but it should be a positive move for the rest of us, no matter how we get about.
Allowing the world's most influential TV presenter and motoring journalist to 'joke' about killing cyclists on prime time TV (as he did again this Sunday) doesn't help either.
Just saying.
I ride bikes sometimes, maybe twice a week
When I'm riding, I'm a cyclist.
I guess those that think of very little else may consider themselves cyclists 24/7
You are joking druid? You can be called a cyclist and it doesn't mean you can't/don't do other things.
An odd response.
I'm proud to be a cyclist.
Yes, if someone is riding a bike, they are (at that moment) a cyclist.
...the world's most influential TV presenter ....
That made me chuckle 🙂
(I presume it was a joke ?)
The scrote I saw the other day on a matt black sprayed BSO that had had all the gears removed and bodged into a single speed, with no brakes, grips, or cables of any description, was the most awesomez cyclist I've ever seen! 😀
He actually was. He set off from Macdonalds (obviously) and wheelied it about half a mile down the road. Casual as you like. With no brakes or gears. Just have a think about that for a moment. 😯
nealglover - Member
...the world's most influential TV presenter ....That made me chuckle
(I presume it was a joke ?)
Not really, no.
Certainly when it comes to the public perception of cycling and cyclists.
Can you name another one?
...the world's most un-influential [s]TV presenter[/s] **** ....
Binners ... that's not really that special.... It's just a kid riding his bike.
Remember we all used to do it... before we had more money than sense and got seduced by marketing guff.
Yes, I'm a cyclist, a motorist and a perambulist. The -ist just refers to the mode of transport. Of course there are some well-behaved cyclists, motorists and pedestrians. And some that aren't. I don't view it as pejorative.
TiRed - Member
Yes, I'm a cyclist, I don't view it as pejorative.
But many people, including the majority of our news media, will and do - hence the call for more inclusive language.
Can't do any harm, can it?
can I be a pootleist.
I think Pook needs to award that one. (Peace be upon him).
Not sure he is the worlds biggest but he is influential amongst that type
Would be interesting to see what would happen were he to start doing a campaign every week on the show urging drivers to treat cyclists better and giving examples of distance and the reason etc.
I think it would make a difference so he has more influence than most.
I dont watch the show perhaps they do this every week? I suspect it's more like Daily Mail click bait type "humour"
It's often, "a cyclist on a black mountain bike robbed an elderly woman" etc.
Reads better than "the thief used a bicycle as the get away vehicle"
I watched it for Gillan Anderson.
And for some reason, I want a huuuuuuuuge pickup too.
🙂
To OP, Yes, does not matter what bike you have or whether you even have an interest in it (cycling) whilst on a bike you are a cyclist in the same way as driving a car you are a motorist. However people on here are happy to be called a cyclist when not on a bike, someone who cycles to work possibly doesn't class themselves as a cyclist when not on a bike.
If you are driving a car in the jungle, are you a motorist junglist?
...the world's most influential TV presenter ....
That made me chuckle(I presume it was a joke ?)
He inspired a mass murderer, so more influential than most.
In the press, people on bikes are cyclists regardless of what they're doing. So, cyclists mug people, shoplift, etc. Muggers on foot are never referred to as pedestrians, and those using a vehicle are never drivers.
Most cars involved in collisions are, seemingly, driverless.
Isn't being a [b]C[/b]yclist independent of being mounted upon one's dandyhorse?
More a state of mind than a means of transport....
I think there's a fundamental difference between a cyclist and a Cyclist.
The first is a person using a bike, the second is someone for whom using a bike is more than just a means of transportation, it's a part of who they are, part of how they identify themselves and how others identify them.
When I'm riding a bike I'm a person riding a bike
When I'm driving a car I'm a person driving a car
When I'm walking to the shops I'm a pedestrian
When I'm running around the streets and parks I'm a runner
When I'm working out at the gym I'm a gym bunny
When I go to the theatre I'm an arts patron
Etc etc etc etc
I may have more than a passing interest in cycling but only a Journalist would call me a cyclist for getting on a bike
When I'm riding a bike I'm a person riding a bike
When I'm driving a car I'm a person driving a car
When I'm walking to the shops I'm a pedestrian
When I'm running around the streets and parks I'm a runner
When I'm working out at the gym I'm a gym bunny
When I go to the theatre I'm an arts patron
Etc etc etc etc
I may have more than a passing interest in cycling but only a Journalist would call me a cyclist for getting on a bike
And quite a few on here who post up everytime 'a cyclist' is...
Everyone except Boris Johnson, hes a tory **** on a bike !!!!
There are cyclists who enjoy it as a hobby and there are riders of bikes ,you know the sort flat tyres seat too low brakes disconnected .Only riding because they dont drive through stupidity or a ban
If you are [s]driving a car[/s] in the jungle, are you a [s]motorist[/s] junglist?
[img]
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I definitely wouldn't identify with "cyclist" - makes me think of roadies, grumpy MAMILs and tree huggers/those annoying campaign types.
I'm definitely a mountain biker though - and identify far more closely with action sports than "cycling".
When I ride my bike to get to work (sometimes), I'm just riding my bike to work, there's no tribal affiliation, it's just a means of transport.
I think there's a fundamental difference between a cyclist and a Cyclist.The first is a person using a bike, the second is someone for whom using a bike is more than just a means of transportation, it's a part of who they are, part of how they identify themselves and how others identify them.
I agree .
So, the question is ,are you a cyclist with a small c or a large [b]C[/b]
I am a c 🙂
Back to my previous comment. I'm a cyclist when I'm cycling whereas lots of of folk are cyclists even when they're not.
If a 7-years old kid on a bike was hit by a car would the media still be screaming "cyclist!"?
fasthaggis - MemberSo, the question is ,are you a cyclist with a small c or a large C
I think I'm best judged by others, and it'll probably paint me with as a Cyclist.
There's a gulf between words and perceptions in the same way that you often can't fit a credit card between them.
Simply being on a bike (minus cycling apparel):
If in Holland - person
If in UK - cyclist
UK press encourages and reinforces and hence profits from the 'outsider' perception of people on bikes. So 'cyclist' is common for anyone on a bike.
Car-culture has tentacles absolutely everywhere.
andyrm - MemberI'm definitely a mountain biker though....
even when not riding up/down a mountain?
There are cyclists who enjoy it as a hobby and there are riders of bikes ,you know the sort flat tyres seat too low brakes disconnected .Only riding because they dont drive through stupidity or a ban
Add to that:
Child riding a bike around the block for the hell of doing it
Old person getting the shopping twice a week on their Raleigh 20 for last 30 years
Commuters by economy
The rich couple who bought matching Porsche mountain bikes and rode them once
Etc...
I fit the first four sometimes all at once (I rode to the shops on my raleigh 20 twice last week and sometimes took the long route home, doing a couple of circuits)
[b]cyclist [/b]
[i]noun [/i]a person who rides a bicycle. Sometimes preceeded by the word fricken
Yes. Anyone riding a bike is a cyclist. And this is the definition I would like people to remember - ANYONE riding a bike is a cyclist, which means a cyclist can be anyone. Not necessarily self entitled RLJing gel wrapper tossing TDF fantasist dog walker harassing skid pulling yob.
In other words, cyclists are not THEM, neither are motorists.
As per my rant in the thread about a cyclist getting stabbed, we are all first and foremost humans beings, with friends and family who care about what happens to us. I get annoyed at the press labeling anybody on a bike as a cyclist first and a human second. Sure, they do this with motorists and others but as almost all of us drive being pigeon holed into being a cyclist just feels wrong. It almost seems to blame the bike for the reason the 'thing' occurred. Not the human. I cant put it into words but it removes the humanity involved.
If I am knocked off my bike in London, I'd rather be a man, father of three girls and loving husband than cyclist. It explains more than dumbing my humanity down to 'cyclist'... and yes I am proud I ride a bike.
I'll shut up now.
If I am knocked off my bike in London, I'd rather be a man, father of three girls and loving husband than cyclist. It explains more than dumbing my humanity down to 'cyclist'... and yes I am proud I ride a bike.
Nailed it.
Yes cyclist is technically a person riding a bike but as others have (no doubt more eloquently than me) said it's the way the media and society use it that is the problem. Cyclists can do good or bad things (but usually the latter in UK media), motorists are more likely to be doing something positive, collectively complaining is about the most negative thing they do, it's [b]cars[/b] that collide with people/things and while robbers may choose a car as a getway vehicle it doesn't make them a motorist, just a bad man in a car. outgroups again, the enlightened few who choose to ride bicycles cannot get away from this.
I resemble that commentI'm a cyclist when I'm cycling whereas lots of of folk are cyclists even when they're not.
+1, would also help dispel the (very *ing prevalent) notion that he's a cyclist hating * rather than a "just having a laugh blokey bloke"Would be interesting to see what would happen were he to start doing a campaign every week on the show urging drivers to treat cyclists better and giving examples of distance and the reason etc.
I think it would make a difference so he has more influence than most.
The media is awful for branding and creating perceptions about groups.
I'd always use the term "people on bikes" or "people driving cars" in any situation with polarised viewpoints. We're all people, sons, wives, dads, friends, and that's what some of the drooling idiots on the interweb spewing keyboard rage seem to forget.
If a 7-years old kid on a bike was hit by a car would the media still be screaming "cyclist!"?
A nine-year-old girl is a [url= http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/darlington/11828036.Appeal_for_witnesses_after_nine_year_old_girl_knocked_off_her_bike_near_school/ ]nine-year-old girl knocked off her bike[/url], rather than a cyclist. Though she was knocked off by "a van", not "a person driving a van".
(While you're there, perhaps click thumbs-down on the victim-blaming comment?)
cynic-al - MemberI'm proud to be a cyclist.
+1
When I used to drive HGV's there were 'truckers' and 'people who drive trucks'.
'Truckers' used to read all the magazines, know all the latest industry gossip, talk about parts / upgrades / paint-jobs and spend a lot of time on forums!
'People who drive trucks' shut the cab door at the end of the day and don't give it another thought.
I was never a trucker but I proudly put my hand up to being a cyclist 🙂
[quote=glasgowdan]We're all people, sons, wives, dads, friends, and that's what some of the drooling idiots on the interweb spewing keyboard rage seem to forget.
You don't get daughters, husbands or mums in Glasgow? 😉
I agree, have always thought of you as a walker who rides a bike.Back to my previous comment. I'm a cyclist when I'm cycling whereas lots of of folk are cyclists even when they're not.
me, on my roadbike, yes, usually.
on my BMX, never
MTBs not very often.
"bike rider" is not the same as "cyclist" IMO.
So as i am awesome, does that make me awesomist?
No. UR AWESOMEZ x
Sooooooooooooo sick 8)
[quote=mtbel ]
.I agree, have always thought of you as a walker who rides a bike.Indeed, the front page of my blog saysBack to my previous comment. I'm a cyclist when I'm cycling whereas lots of of folk are cyclists even when they're not
😆I'm a frustrated walker whose foot problems forced him on to two wheels and who is now using bikes to explore the world, both near and far.
However, I think we've already covered that fact that some folk reckon they belong to the [i]cyclist[/i] clan regardless of their current means of perambulation. I don't see myself as part of the [i]walker[/i] clan unless I am doing so.
Based on the definition, yes.
Understand why the line from the newspaper might be misconstrued, but still doesn't alter the basic fact.
Why would anyone riding a bike want to deny being a cyclist?
image basically THM
As a relatively recent convert to Boris biking, I love the variety of cyclist that exist on every ride!
This is the issue in this country.
In Holland, a country where pretty much everyone cycles, very few people would consider themselves a cyclist.
Here in the UK, we have plenty of classifications for cyclists. From a POB through a weekend warrior onto a commuter. Do one.
I love bikes. Wonderful machines. Quite possible the best machine that was ever invented. Nope, the bike IS the best machine that was ever invented. Nothing else has ever done so much more for the many. I have lots of them. I ride all the time, pretty much every day. I'm not a cyclist.
Loads of folk at work assume I can't drive. Well I do, but I generally try not to, mainly because I have rather " utilitarian" car that gives me sod all pleasure to drive. Great for carrying the bike though. I do however have a motorcycle which is considerably sharper, faster, better looking and I love the whole idea of being on a fast noisy motorbike.
If I had to choose though, it would be a bicycle. Hell it costs more to run than my motorbike ( upgrades an all that), but it gives me infinite pleasure, takes me to the most amazing places and I can fix just about anything on it.
Am I a cyclist - nope!
I'm the guy next door, dad to two girls and have been married for over 20 years. That stuff is way more important than a bloody bicycle, and I don't want my epitaph to read - here lies a cyclist FFS!