Cyclist Hating, Like a socially acceptable racism/zenophobia?

[Garjenkins]

I'm a relatively new cyclist commuter in London. I love it and have become a bit evangelical about the cause!

A lot of people obviously talk to me about it in my office and I can't quite believe the ignorent comments of hate I have heard! from people I know to be tolerant intelligent people normally.

Aside from the abuse from the pedestrians, car/van drivers and motorcyclists I sometimes get for no reason on my journey I now have to put up with it form colleagues.

Actual conversations I have had (bare in mind these poeple started the conversation asking me about being a cyclist):

Him - "I used to cycle in ages ago, it was alright - but not anymore - to be honest...I just hate cyclists mate"
Me - "Eh? what do you mean?" (thinking...Firstly you were one so that doesnt make sense and also...HELLOOOO ?....YOU are CLEARLY talking to A CYCLIST)
Him - well this was this time where one with a big darth vader mask fing shouted at me going through a canal tunnel cos i couldnt hear his bell"

I dont remember what I said, because to this day I am still shocked at how many rediculous points there were made.

Another conversation:

Her - "How long does it take you then?"
Me "about an hour and quarter"
Her "oh thats quite good innit"
Me "Yup"
Her "I cant stand it when cyclists dont stop at zebra crossings when youre going to walk on them. They think cos theyre cycling and that "theyre saving the world" that they can just not stop for you - Thats why I hate them"
Me - "Well, like anything you get some idiots - I guess he didnt stop because it would have been hard for him to stop and restart again?" (Thinking......thats just ONE person! and also if ever you were going to display bad manners then the best reason to do it was because you were saving the world)
Her- "I laugh when they have to start on their bikes - serves them right"


Now, Both of these events summed up seem to be exactly the same as me going up to say a religious person and saying I hate your lot - one of them once did something bad. Which would NEVER happen! especially at work!

The cyclist, the minority that can be publicly abused.

Although you cant really give hating cyclists a name cos it already ends in "ist"....You're being Cyclistist.....and displaying Cyclism?

 

[ChrisKH]

I understand there's a hate group for cyclists on Facebook. I shall being paying it a visit tonight.

 

[Norm]

You think being a cyclist is bad, you want to try being bald and fat!

Still, at least I'm not ginger.

 

[Trevrev]

I understand there's a hate group for cyclists on Facebook. I shall being paying it a visit tonight.

I might even join it!!!
I hate being called a cyclist..
My six year old is always on his bike, no one calls him a cyclist. PMSL !!

I think if you didn't wear any proper cycling gear, i.e, helmets, lycra, high viz, and such the like, you aren't classed as a cyclist and get away with all the shoot.
In the summer in shorts and tee shirt i'm fine, as soon as the chillier weather hits and the waterproof high viz jacket comes out, that seems to make me a target.

 

[fossyant]

I wouldn't worry about it...... you are the ones working to maintain health....

 

[Trevrev]

Come to think of it, even the other guys at work that cycle in, take the piss coz i wear a helmet and a proper jacket.
You should hear the shoot the guy that wears lycra gets.!!!
Infact, in the darker evenings/mornings, and my Sam Browne comes out, even my sons take the p1ss.

 

[Twenty Inch]

Have a look in myths and rebuttals.

My standard fallback, if I don't feel I'm getting anywhere by polite engagement, is to end the argument by saying "oh well, at least cyclists don't kill 3200 people a year".

 

[ianrauk]

So what's wrong with that then?

You think being a cyclist is bad, you want to try being bald and fat!

Still, at least I'm not ginger.

 

[ianrauk]

Just checked this (sad git I am) and Dr Who said "I'm still not Ginger" as apparently he mentioned that he wanted to be.

So norm's comment nothing to do with that.

Nothing, this is a reference to the complaints that the new Doctor Who got on Ney Years Day because his first words were ''At least I'm not ginger.''

 

[ChrisKH]

Just checked this (sad git I am) and Dr Who said "I'm still not Ginger" as apparently he mentioned that he wanted to be.

So norm's comment nothing to do with that.

That's not how we interpreted it, although maybe we should have. My two sons and their cousins were watching this episode and one of them is distinctly orange. Cue family argument about ginger discrimination. It has become such an issue, the poor kid feels the need to wear a hat.

 

[ianrauk]

People are quite happy to use that comment in a throwaway manner, People think it is harmless, but I can assure you it's not. It is tantamount to bullying. You might as well say well at least I am not black, there is no difference.

 

[Norm]

Which is exactly why I wrote it, Ian. As an ironic example of other reasons why people might feel persecuted, beyond those which are covered in legislation. Developing the argument from the narrow confines of "cycle hating" to show that such prejudices exist not only in the privacy of an office but in mainstream media. Whether he said "I'm not ginger" or "I'm not still ginger" is, IMO, irrelevant.

The point is that he could have said neither if ginger was replaced by black or gay or Christian etc.

My usual line is "Legislation has outlawed prejudices against religion, race, age and sexuality. About the only targets left for comedians are the bald, the fat and the gingers, and I still score two out of three". As RichK said, many people, rather than try to understand differences, will have a go at everyone who is not "one of us".

Sorry, I was not meaning to appear a bully or to have a go at red-heads. I was using it as an example of other prejudices which still exist and are considered acceptable in some circles.

 

[ianrauk]

Fully understand Norm and apology accepted in good grace. After being bullied in school for gawd knows how many years for being a redhead (which in turn turned me into a school bully), and seeing one of your siblings and other kids go through exactly the same thing (as per Chris' post above). Its really no laughing matter. At 43 years it is like water off a ducks back to me but it still stick's in the throat sometimes.

A few years back myself and 'er indoors were at a party, we were speaking to another couple when the fella asked my wife "What's it like being married to a ginger?" whilst nodding in my direction. My wife's retort was "Quite nice" and then asked his wife "What's it like being married to an idiot" His wife looked him up and down, rolled her eyes and said..."Quite".

 

[Garjenkins]

This is of no real relevance whatsoever - but the woman who hates cyclists at work has naturally occuring red hair. Go figure eh?

We're all part of life's rich tapestery.

 

[Norm]

Fully understand Norm and apology accepted in good grace.

Thanks. Tea and cake on me when we meet up.

This is of no real relevance whatsoever - but the woman who hates cyclists at work has naturally occuring red hair. Go figure eh?

I write this not meaning to cause further offence but because it might help her understand the pointlessness of her prejudice.

Using shock to help get the point across you could start with "Cycling has many benefits - unlike being ginger".

You'd naturally tone that down in real life but maybe a version of that could give her an insight of the viewpoint from the other side of the barricade which she has created.

We're all part of life's rich tapestery.

Indeed, and Amen to that!