tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post6698494858324084237..comments2024-03-18T08:41:35.438-04:00Comments on Lovely Bicycle!: The Mary Poppins Effect?Velouriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-20075851171379462472014-08-12T01:20:48.200-04:002014-08-12T01:20:48.200-04:00hi, greetings from europe
we have a problem with ...hi, greetings from europe<br /><br />we have a problem with so called "bicycle road rage" in England and Germany. (not in italy or the netherlands.. people there cycle with normal clothes in a very laid back style)<br /><br />People "Dressed up" like racers for the Tour the France. But very agressive, and a PITA for everyone because they jeopardize themself and everyone else.<br />"Im wearing an Helmet... nothing can happen to mee... ja heearr!"<br /><br />Possible this "Cyborg-like" dressing has an psychological impact to Car-drivers... <br />but it seems to affect many cyclists too.<br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-68650746562611620582013-12-11T11:08:01.452-05:002013-12-11T11:08:01.452-05:00I embrace driver-hate and have for over forty year...I embrace driver-hate and have for over forty years of bicycling. I assume that every driver is subhuman, with inferior eyesight, hearing, attention span, and excessive territoriality and aggression. I ride on roads with cars--but am under no illusion that the drivers of those cars are, like, human. Keep the hate-stay safe!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-53903994045489047712013-11-17T19:43:01.033-05:002013-11-17T19:43:01.033-05:00Love the blog! I'm not annoyed by bikers of a...Love the blog! I'm not annoyed by bikers of any kind for reasons stated above. I'm annoyed because I've hit two of them with my car - by no fault of my own - and just don't feel it's safe for drivers and bikers to share the road. As a biker, I choose to ride on rail trails and in parks for recreation and don't bike for transportation. I don't trust drivers enough for me to bike in their vicinity!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-9405927678744580252013-01-24T13:31:04.264-05:002013-01-24T13:31:04.264-05:00I wonder if you would get the same effect by insta...I wonder if you would get the same effect by installing a child sea and putting a dummie into it. I'm sure drivers would be much more cautious if they though you had a baby on board. <a href="http://www.playland-inc.com" rel="nofollow">commercial playground</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15474189970288337453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-66981182685984950832012-11-17T01:11:08.942-05:002012-11-17T01:11:08.942-05:00Looks like I'm pretty late to this party, but ...Looks like I'm pretty late to this party, but I just wanted to add that I've stopped wearing sunglasses when I ride for this very reason. I noticed that honest to goodness eye contact with drivers and pedestrians alike provides contact between two humans, not just some jerk on a bike. My eyes may tear up on a fast descent, but I'll take that over a dirty look or being completely ignored any day. <br />-Marc in CaliforniaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-75687181204885344662012-05-09T12:55:43.977-04:002012-05-09T12:55:43.977-04:00I wonder if you would get the same effect by insta...I wonder if you would get the same effect by installing a child sea and putting a dummie into it. I'm sure drivers would be much more cautious if they though you had a baby on board.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-59154575085239455292012-02-07T09:42:08.054-05:002012-02-07T09:42:08.054-05:00I have often had this debate with a non-lycra anti...I have often had this debate with a non-lycra anti-roadie friend. He equates all cycling specific attire and thin wheeled bikes as being part of the "spandex wearing #*&#$" club. For his defense, he cites that in his area the roadie pelotons ride 3-4 wide for miles regardless of traffic and rarely look back. Perhaps both sides are in the wrong, however because he has also said unashamedly to buzz said or even use the wind from his big rig to unseat. <br /><br />On my personal observations, I have noticed a huge difference between hair up and hair down as well as pink/purple coat or yellow/red/black coats regardless of skirt or lycra pants. <br /><br />Confidence without arrogance is important as well. It is one thing to own a lane when it is needed, but another to take it any longer than needed.<br /><br />I should also add that I am an average build male XC racing mountain biker who rides commuting on the same bike daily.Mtbikerinpanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-80313841946646579232012-01-27T13:33:27.653-05:002012-01-27T13:33:27.653-05:00The opposite of teh Mary Poppins Effect would be t...The opposite of teh Mary Poppins Effect would be the "lycra effect" maybe motorists are more hostile to cyclists in racing duds because it's the equivalent of someone pulling up behind you in a NASCAR racing machine, dressed in a Nomex jumpsuit, helmet,etc. and insisted on drafting you for a block before slingshotting around you to beat the light. You'd be thinking - Hey buddy, this is a street, not a race track - what are you trying to prove?Wheels of Justicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00882437389761648013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-84692512519416276502012-01-26T06:01:24.138-05:002012-01-26T06:01:24.138-05:00I just wrote about this in Swedish and used your p...I just wrote about this in Swedish and used your photo to illustrate. Hope that's okay!<br /><br /><a href="http://ecoprofile.se/thread-2517-Bilister-ger-mer-plats-at-kvinnliga-cyklister.html" rel="nofollow">Bilister ger mer plats åt kvinnliga cyklister - Ecoprofile</a><br /><br />Google does <a href="http://is.gd/bzKjc7" rel="nofollow">a decent translation to English</a><br /><br />You might want to look at <a href="http://www.dot.state.fl.us/research-center/Completed_Proj/Summary_RD/FDOT_BDK82%20977-01_rpt.pdf" rel="nofollow">the Florida study on this (PDF)</a>.Erik Sandblomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14411108063216855210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-29895986837767395022011-10-03T23:21:13.248-04:002011-10-03T23:21:13.248-04:00I think everyone is missing the point. Mary Poppin...I think everyone is missing the point. Mary Poppins never rode a bike. True story everyone.tonyhttp://hippievstony.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-76019610916191009992011-08-19T05:28:30.242-04:002011-08-19T05:28:30.242-04:00I started wearing ordinary clothes when cycletouri...I started wearing ordinary clothes when cycletouring because of interactions off the bike in country towns. Then I found it worked in the city. (Melbourne, Australia). However the bigger effect, in my experience, is purposiveness: I seldom have problems when my presentation makes it clear that I am headed somewhere specific. This may be the problem roadies face if their priority is, or appears to be, travel speed rather than destination. I am surprised by the data in the Walker research about overtaking distances. However I would still prefer to ride further out because it gives far more room to move over if motorists do crowd you. - John Harland -Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-51190345342925005822011-06-04T18:41:11.510-04:002011-06-04T18:41:11.510-04:00I didn't read every single comment here, so pa...I didn't read every single comment here, so pardon me if this has been said already.<br /> Don't forget that drivers yell at and harass other drivers all the time. <br />I also think riding faster is more annoying for the driver. Faster=longer time to pass, more car-like and thus more annoying to the driver.presleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-70286063926281805492011-06-02T17:14:49.505-04:002011-06-02T17:14:49.505-04:00From years of being both a cyclist (casual/recreat...From years of being both a cyclist (casual/recreational) and a car driver, 15 of which in Colorado where it felt like many roadies tried to behave as if they were Olympic trainees, it seemed that having been intimidated on curvy roads by bicylists tended to make other drivers downright nasty! I never felt comfortable riding on a road there because of the potential of a driver being hacked off at the other guy. I know I could have been in a dress and heels in town, but it would make me an easier targetAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-39557530525623073012011-05-04T18:45:51.514-04:002011-05-04T18:45:51.514-04:00I would put the aggressive reaction to cyclists on...I would put the aggressive reaction to cyclists on racing bikes being because they are often seen by motorists to be riding through red lights and otherwise "cheating" the road rules (often because their shoes are cleated in), whereas more often than not riders commuting in work clothes don't have to unclip and are happier to stop and dismount at lights etc. <br />On another angle, I've been a car driver for 30+ years and still think like a driver when I cycle, being cautious and alert: I don't believe many cycle riders in cities think like that. JeffAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-13853651027025951152011-04-17T20:23:31.091-04:002011-04-17T20:23:31.091-04:00There was a study measuring distances of overtakin...There was a study measuring distances of overtaking cars from bicycles using video camers and ultrasonic sensors. They found cars were more courteous to female cyclists.<br /><br />http://www.drianwalker.com/overtaking/overtakingprobrief.pdfCameron Murrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08737859133901303110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-37060387020299958192011-04-13T12:57:22.976-04:002011-04-13T12:57:22.976-04:00I find that on my commute, which I've been doi...I find that on my commute, which I've been doing almost daily for over 5 years now, I do get more deference from drivers with the "safety geek" look. I have incredibly bright front and rear lighting (helmet and on bike), wear neon yellow or orange jerseys or jackets, and ride far right and courteously. I ride predictibly, signal, stop at stop signs and lights, and sometimes yield to cars when I'm not required to. My motto is "Safe, legal, courteous, fast -- in that order." Riding like you're pretending to be in the Tour de France on closed roads is not the way to be safe.Doghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11978735321065320382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-82355292228982831602011-04-13T12:00:17.984-04:002011-04-13T12:00:17.984-04:00Thanks Lovely Bike, your theory is my theory and I...Thanks Lovely Bike, your theory is my theory and I've seen it in action. To me it's also about attracting more people to biking, which will also make me safer. A lot people don't want to wear the racing outfit. Sometimes the racing folks don't look like they're having much fun, either. To attract more people to biking, it needs to be fun and normal.spiderleggreenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07306905473637646256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-21648439473273877742011-03-31T05:13:57.061-04:002011-03-31T05:13:57.061-04:00More discussion on the 'Mary Poppins Effect...More discussion on the 'Mary Poppins Effect' for those still reading comments:<br /><br />on <a href="http://www.londoncyclist.co.uk/cycling-london/the-mary-poppins-effect/" rel="nofollow">London Cyclist</a><br /><br />on <a href="http://letsgorideabike.com/blog/2011/03/my-take-on-the-mary-poppins-effect/" rel="nofollow">Let's Go Ride a Bike</a>Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-73996415160409097262011-01-25T16:22:22.364-05:002011-01-25T16:22:22.364-05:00I am a woman who rides in many different "cos...I am a woman who rides in many different "costumes," on a roadie, and on a Mixte, and I always notice that with my child trailer, all types of humans are the most patient and fun...bikers, pedestrians, and drivers. If they peek in the trailer and see the case of bourbon, people are usually even nicer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-67072383807827881312011-01-21T23:31:49.379-05:002011-01-21T23:31:49.379-05:00Some cyclist said "hi" to me today while...Some cyclist said "hi" to me today while I was waiting to merge onto a street. I think he said it because it had been snowing and there were few cyclists out.<br /><br />Anyway, I yelled back "what??" and then "oh... hi" when I processed what he had said. I hope he didn't think I was rude, but sometimes people don't expect strangers to talk to them, unless it is urgent or is a question.<br /><br />Anyway, maybe I'm just grumpy.Peppy (the antisocial cat)noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-79159771285814273882011-01-17T23:06:51.894-05:002011-01-17T23:06:51.894-05:00As an experienced bike commuter, I've never ha...As an experienced bike commuter, I've never had a positive experience talking to a roadie when waiting at a red light. My attempts to say "hi" when wearing normal clothes (on my bike) to a roadie only get the cold shoulder, and they avoid eye contact.<br /><br />Saying "hi" to other normal people on bikes, however, almost always gets a positive response, even if just a smile. I've been bike-commuting daily for about 7 years now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-68125436173566758142011-01-14T19:33:34.804-05:002011-01-14T19:33:34.804-05:00Real men wear red top-hats and get attention both ...Real men wear red top-hats and get attention both in traffic and when they're inflating funny stuff http://goo.gl/S0TKeMike Harrophttp://www.fit-chat.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-38881003250570140782011-01-12T21:09:20.802-05:002011-01-12T21:09:20.802-05:00Alrgh, I have no time to read through the comments...Alrgh, I have no time to read through the comments! If you have asked me a direct question somewhere here and I seem to have ignored you, please bear with me and I will reply over the next couple of days, as I have a chance to read through everything.<br /><br />Forrest Lee Causseaux - I see your point, but the way I interpret BikeSnob, is that his style of mockery is basically gentle and good natured. He is not <i>really</i> making fun of the Tweed Ride. He sees himself in all aspects of "bicycle culture" and pokes fun at all of it equally - essentially mocking himself along with the rest of us.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-10370080471578274492011-01-12T16:11:55.757-05:002011-01-12T16:11:55.757-05:00" . . . pretentious attitude . . ."
So,..." . . . pretentious attitude . . ."<br /><br />So, basically what you're saying here is that he doesn't advertise himself falsely?kfgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-76953579819812519412011-01-12T13:54:46.040-05:002011-01-12T13:54:46.040-05:00I have not thought about this subject before, gene...I have not thought about this subject before, generally because of my choice to think of discourtious drivers as being as#h*les, sorry. <br /> I do believe some drivers do become agressive towords quicker cyclists, it may not matter concerning bicycle type, loop or diamond frame, if you are quicker than traffic than you must be delt with.<br /> But after considering the posting and all the responces, I'm thinking that drivers may wish to see others, reguardless of their being on a bicycle or as a pedrestrian, nicely dressed. Consequently if they see a woman finely dressed, certainly they will slow, being a male they wish to enjoy the view, a female will be concerned with saftey generally. <br /> Didn't our mothers tell us, "Dress to impress", surely it would apply when we ride, or maybe it's something else?david...no the other one!noreply@blogger.com