What is a cyclist?

As a "cyclist", I'm many things depending on who you ask (or who volunteers their opinion). Most commonly, I'm probably annoying. I'm in your way, riding too slowly, and should be on the sidewalk (despite what the law and safety data show). I'm also arrogant, elitist, poor, rich, white, minority, too fast, too slow, an environmentalist, definitely a scofflaw who runs stop signs and red lights with impudence, a target, stupid, entitled, and any number of other things.

In a way, you're right. Cyclists are all of those things and none of those things. There are arrogant cyclists, poor cyclists, rich cyclists, elitist cyclists, dangerous cyclists, slow cyclists, and fast cyclists. The point is, I am not every cyclist and every cyclist is not me. Chris Bucchere killed Sutchi Hui - I didn't. I've never even come close to hitting a person and ride with great care around others and most cyclists I observe act the same way. Can you say the same? Do you speed or text while driving? I encourage you to really think through your own behavior before admonishing others and painting us all with the same brush.

What am I really? I'm a person, just like you. I have just chosen to get around by a different means most of the time. I still deserve to get where I'm going safely. Believing that my life is more important than a couple seconds of your time to slow down and pass at a safe distance and speed doesn't make me elitist or entitled, it means I'm human. If you're so selfish to believe your few seconds are more precious than my safety, you're not human - you're awful and need to re-evaluate your priorities.

Enjoy the ride

Something I'll never understand is why more people don't try commuting or running errands by bike. Millions of people ride bikes for fun and exercise, yet when it comes to getting somewhere they could easily travel to by that same way, they choose a way that costs them money and is generally frustrating. No one likes being part of a traffic jam, yet most of those same millions who ride a bike for fun leave it at home and choose getting stuck in traffic in their cars instead. Yes, there are some circumstances that might "necessitate" driving: working more than 10 miles from your home, grocery shopping for a family of 15, etc. But most trips aren't actually for those purposes and are only a few miles, which is quick and easy to cover on a bike. Why not save the money and ride your bike? Study after study shows bike commuters are among the most satisfied commuters (I'm sure even those that control for our smug-induced happiness). Yet people don't seem to get it or try to make a change. Why?