Bikers vs. Cyclists

Buck said:

I've noticed a trend where cyclists are being called bikers. To me, a
"biker" is a member of a motorcycling gang. Webster's indicates that
"biker" applies to both bicyclists and motorcyclists. But I prefer to
eliminate the confusion. No one would think of a Hell's Angel as a
"cyclist".

Am I the only one?

-Buck

Absolutely right!. A biker rides a motorcycle and a cyclist rides a
real bike. 😉

Perhaps I shouldn't have said that as I build motorcycle wheels for a
living :-)

"Buck" wrote: (clip) To me, a "biker" is a member of a motorcycling gang.
(clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Motorcyclists generally refer to themselves as "bikers," mostly because the
word is short enough to be convenient, but also because it exhibits a
certain charming understatement. I have heard them call a Harley a
"scooter," for somewhat the same reason. However, please guard against
injecting unwanted meaning into your thinking by your choice of words. What
makes a group a gang? Is it some unlawful activity, or is it just that they
look like undesirables. Would an incorporated motorcycle club, with
by-laws and officers be called a "gang." just because they are riding down
the freeway in a pack?

In article <[email hidden]>,

Buck said:

I've noticed a trend where cyclists are being called bikers. To me, a
"biker" is a member of a motorcycling gang. Webster's indicates that
"biker" applies to both bicyclists and motorcyclists. But I prefer to
eliminate the confusion. No one would think of a Hell's Angel as a
"cyclist".

Am I the only one?

I almost entirely agree with you. Except I figure
a lone-wolf, non-club motorcyclist can be a biker too.

I notice "bikie" (referring to bicyclists) with
increasing frequency. I don't think I like that
one much. It sounds too diminuitive and a little
derogatory to me.

cheers,
Tom

--
--
-- Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca

Leo Lichtman said:

"Buck" wrote: (clip) To me, a "biker" is a member of a motorcycling gang.
(clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Motorcyclists generally refer to themselves as "bikers," mostly because the
word is short enough to be convenient, but also because it exhibits a
certain charming understatement. I have heard them call a Harley a
"scooter," for somewhat the same reason. However, please guard against
injecting unwanted meaning into your thinking by your choice of words. What
makes a group a gang? Is it some unlawful activity, or is it just that they
look like undesirables. Would an incorporated motorcycle club, with
by-laws and officers be called a "gang." just because they are riding down
the freeway in a pack?

I'm glad to see someone else is perturbed about the use of a particular
word to describe a group. I also objected to the use of "biker" to
describe me on my motorcycle. My motorcycle wouldn't be used by a
"biker", as it was not a Harley, chopper, cruiser, bob-tail, etc. It
was more of a sport-tourer:
http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/epic_mcy/1982_seca650turbo_small.aspx

Perhaps it is my original objection to being classified as a "biker"
while on my motorcycle which has led to my objection to the term being
used to describe me while on my bicycle. In my opinion, not all
operators of two-wheeled transportation should be considered "bikers"
just as not all motorcycling groups should be called "gangs." There is
a negative connotation in both "bikers" and "gangs." Thus my connection
between the two terms: a biker is someone who is in a gang. And yes, I
tend to think of them as a particularly lawless group.

I'm sure that is why law-abiding motorcyclists often refer to
themselves as members of a motorcycling club, not gang.

-Buck

[email hidden] (Tom Keats) wrote in news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

I notice "bikie" (referring to bicyclists) with
increasing frequency. I don't think I like that
one much. It sounds too diminuitive and a little
derogatory to me.

During the 1970s bike boom, bicyclists referred to themselves as
"bikees" to diffentiate themselves from motorcyclists (bikers). Today,
"cyclist" or "roadie" or "mountain biker" are more common.

Buck said:

I've noticed a trend where cyclists are being called bikers. To me, a
"biker" is a member of a motorcycling gang. Webster's indicates that
"biker" applies to both bicyclists and motorcyclists. But I prefer to
eliminate the confusion. No one would think of a Hell's Angel as a
"cyclist".

Am I the only one?

Hell no. In fact around here a local biker recently referred to pickup
truck drivers as truckers and was publicly flogged. Didn't get as many
replies as a recent helmet-use troll tho (57 vs 4K). At least I
haven't heard anyone since Stirling Moss call a helmet a hat.

Doug

Buck said:

I've noticed a trend where cyclists are being called bikers. To me, a
"biker" is a member of a motorcycling gang. Webster's indicates that
"biker" applies to both bicyclists and motorcyclists. But I prefer to
eliminate the confusion. No one would think of a Hell's Angel as a
"cyclist".

Am I the only one?

-Buck

Out local daily newspaper, the Northwest Herald in Crystal Lake, IL,
fairly consistently refers to motorcyclists as cyclists.

Go figure!

larry

I never refer to myself as a biker, since where I live it would imply
that I ride a motorcycle. "Cyclist" sounds a little bit effete to me,
but I might use that term or some other like "bike rider" if I think the
person I am talking to might be confused as to whether I ride a bicycle
or a motorcycle. It's probably a regional thing anyway. Truth is, it
does not come up in conversation for me all that often, even though most
people I know are aware that I ride nearly every day.

Buck said:

I've noticed a trend where cyclists are being called bikers. To me, a
"biker" is a member of a motorcycling gang. Webster's indicates that
"biker" applies to both bicyclists and motorcyclists. But I prefer to
eliminate the confusion. No one would think of a Hell's Angel as a
"cyclist".

Am I the only one?

No, but I don't think the disambiguation will become common usage for
a while yet.

Additionally, there is a faction which regards the term "cyclist" as
excessively elitist, and popular usage is what defines this language,
not arbitrary rules from a central authority.
--
Typoes are a feature, not a bug.
Some gardening required to reply via email.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

Buck said:

I've noticed a trend where cyclists are being called bikers. To me, a
"biker" is a member of a motorcycling gang. Webster's indicates that
"biker" applies to both bicyclists and motorcyclists. But I prefer to
eliminate the confusion. No one would think of a Hell's Angel as a
"cyclist".

Am I the only one?

When I rode motorcycles I objected to "biker".

As a "cyclist", that's what I usually call myself. But, many of my
bicycling friends easily refer to themselves as "bikers".
Now I've two tee-shirts with artsy graphics proclaiming, "BIKER".
I wear 'em.
--
zk

Motorcycylist are called both bikers and cyclists, just to make it a
little ore confusing.

I always thought if a BIcyClE was callea a bike, a MOtercyClE should ba
called a Moke.

- -
Comments and opinions compliments of,
"Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

My web Site:
http://geocities.com/czcorner

To E-mail me:
ChrisZCorner "at" webtv "dot" net

The term "biker" I believe came from the ol tyme term "motor-BIKE".

In it's earlier days 'round'bout the time of the Penny Farthing, a
bicyclist was called Wheelman.

Use that term nowadays most people think either you're a trucker (big
rig) or the driver of the get-away car!

- -
Comments and opinions compliments of,
"Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

My web Site:
http://geocities.com/czcorner

To E-mail me:
ChrisZCorner "at" webtv "dot" net

Zoot Katz said:

Buck said:

I've noticed a trend where cyclists are being called bikers. To me, a
"biker" is a member of a motorcycling gang. Webster's indicates that
"biker" applies to both bicyclists and motorcyclists. But I prefer to
eliminate the confusion. No one would think of a Hell's Angel as a
"cyclist".

Am I the only one?

When I rode motorcycles I objected to "biker".

As a "cyclist", that's what I usually call myself. But, many of my
bicycling friends easily refer to themselves as "bikers".
Now I've two tee-shirts with artsy graphics proclaiming, "BIKER".
I wear 'em.

I don't want to stir it up but here is my input.
To be politically correct (A term I hate) a cyclist is anyone on 2
wheels. A biker is a subset of that group that happens to have a motor.
The one thing that I want to mention is that with motorcyclists (and I
hope bicyclists) is that if you mess with one, you have just messed with
them all. A gang can be just 5 guys that like to ride together, as it
was with me before I met my wife.
The 'Brotherhood' thing came about when some dumb red neck tried to pick
a fight with one of the guys whom he was bigger than, and suddenly there
were 3 or more other Motorcyclists joining in to even the odds or just
cancel the bully's ambitions.
I hope it works with that with bicyclists, too.
Back then (~1976) a biker had a motorcycle, a cyclist a bicycle.
Things may have changed, but I think the code of taking care of one
another will never change.
Bill (both sides of the fence) Baka

Cyclist now, no gas, and no silly Ninja looking motorcycle.

screw all that. I'm a biker. I ride a bike. Let them call themselves
motorcyclists.

Buck said:

I've noticed a trend where cyclists are being called bikers. To me, a
"biker" is a member of a motorcycling gang. Webster's indicates that
"biker" applies to both bicyclists and motorcyclists. But I prefer to
eliminate the confusion. No one would think of a Hell's Angel as a
"cyclist".

Am I the only one?

-Buck

On Thu, 20 Jul 2006 04:29:21 GMT, Bill <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Zoot Katz said:

Buck said:

I've noticed a trend where cyclists are being called bikers. To me, a
"biker" is a member of a motorcycling gang. Webster's indicates that
"biker" applies to both bicyclists and motorcyclists. But I prefer to
eliminate the confusion. No one would think of a Hell's Angel as a
"cyclist".

Am I the only one?

When I rode motorcycles I objected to "biker".

As a "cyclist", that's what I usually call myself. But, many of my
bicycling friends easily refer to themselves as "bikers".
Now I've two tee-shirts with artsy graphics proclaiming, "BIKER".
I wear 'em.

I don't want to stir it up but here is my input.
To be politically correct (A term I hate) a cyclist is anyone on 2
wheels. A biker is a subset of that group that happens to have a motor.

Quoted message said:

The one thing that I want to mention is that with motorcyclists (and I
hope bicyclists) is that if you mess with one, you have just messed with
them all. A gang can be just 5 guys that like to ride together, as it
was with me before I met my wife.
The 'Brotherhood' thing came about when some dumb red neck tried to pick
a fight with one of the guys whom he was bigger than, and suddenly there
were 3 or more other Motorcyclists joining in to even the odds or just
cancel the bully's ambitions.
I hope it works with that with bicyclists, too.
Back then (~1976) a biker had a motorcycle, a cyclist a bicycle.
Things may have changed, but I think the code of taking care of one
another will never change.

Baka, what does your report on the gang attitude of guys on motors
have to do with the current topic under discussion?

R Brickston said:

On Thu, 20 Jul 2006 04:29:21 GMT, Bill <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Zoot Katz said:

On 19 Jul 2006 06:21:15 -0700, "Buck" <[email hidden]> wrote:

> I've noticed a trend where cyclists are being called bikers. To me, a
> "biker" is a member of a motorcycling gang. Webster's indicates that
> "biker" applies to both bicyclists and motorcyclists. But I prefer to
> eliminate the confusion. No one would think of a Hell's Angel as a
> "cyclist".
>
> Am I the only one?
>
When I rode motorcycles I objected to "biker".

As a "cyclist", that's what I usually call myself. But, many of my
bicycling friends easily refer to themselves as "bikers".
Now I've two tee-shirts with artsy graphics proclaiming, "BIKER".
I wear 'em.

I don't want to stir it up but here is my input.
To be politically correct (A term I hate) a cyclist is anyone on 2
wheels. A biker is a subset of that group that happens to have a motor.

Quoted message said:

The one thing that I want to mention is that with motorcyclists (and I
hope bicyclists) is that if you mess with one, you have just messed with
them all. A gang can be just 5 guys that like to ride together, as it
was with me before I met my wife.
The 'Brotherhood' thing came about when some dumb red neck tried to pick
a fight with one of the guys whom he was bigger than, and suddenly there
were 3 or more other Motorcyclists joining in to even the odds or just
cancel the bully's ambitions.
I hope it works with that with bicyclists, too.
Back then (~1976) a biker had a motorcycle, a cyclist a bicycle.
Things may have changed, but I think the code of taking care of one
another will never change.

Baka, what does your report on the gang attitude of guys on motors
have to do with the current topic under discussion?

I you had any even small amount of brains you would probably not want
to walk up to a bunch of guys hanging by their Harleys and start talking
about them being cyclists, and not bikers. That would save us a lot of
wasted bandwidth by you. I can only hope you take the bait.
Oh, yeah, and ask them why they aren't riding the far 'superior' rice
rockets from Japan that are made to look like big V-twins.
I hope you feet can't run as fast as you fingers spew garbage.
We have one Motorcycle shop that has gone as far as putting out a sign
that says "Harleys Only.". This discussion, if you can read the title,
does say Bikers vs. Cyclists.
The bikers tend to be a bit touchy about their $20,000 Harley being
compared to a 'bicycle'.
That's my only point, since I know the Harley guy around the corner.
Bill Baka

R Brickston said:

Baka, what does your report on the gang attitude of guys on motors
have to do with the current topic under discussion?

Nothing. Filters are your friend.

On Thu, 20 Jul 2006 10:30:31 GMT, Bill <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

R Brickston said:

On Thu, 20 Jul 2006 04:29:21 GMT, Bill <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Zoot Katz wrote:
> On 19 Jul 2006 06:21:15 -0700, "Buck" <[email hidden]> wrote:
>
>> I've noticed a trend where cyclists are being called bikers. To me, a
>> "biker" is a member of a motorcycling gang. Webster's indicates that
>> "biker" applies to both bicyclists and motorcyclists. But I prefer to
>> eliminate the confusion. No one would think of a Hell's Angel as a
>> "cyclist".
>>
>> Am I the only one?
>>
> When I rode motorcycles I objected to "biker".
>
> As a "cyclist", that's what I usually call myself. But, many of my
> bicycling friends easily refer to themselves as "bikers".
> Now I've two tee-shirts with artsy graphics proclaiming, "BIKER".
> I wear 'em.
I don't want to stir it up but here is my input.
To be politically correct (A term I hate) a cyclist is anyone on 2
wheels. A biker is a subset of that group that happens to have a motor.

Quoted message said:

The one thing that I want to mention is that with motorcyclists (and I
hope bicyclists) is that if you mess with one, you have just messed with
them all. A gang can be just 5 guys that like to ride together, as it
was with me before I met my wife.
The 'Brotherhood' thing came about when some dumb red neck tried to pick
a fight with one of the guys whom he was bigger than, and suddenly there
were 3 or more other Motorcyclists joining in to even the odds or just
cancel the bully's ambitions.
I hope it works with that with bicyclists, too.
Back then (~1976) a biker had a motorcycle, a cyclist a bicycle.
Things may have changed, but I think the code of taking care of one
another will never change.

Baka, what does your report on the gang attitude of guys on motors
have to do with the current topic under discussion?

I you had any even small amount of brains you would probably not want
to walk up to a bunch of guys hanging by their Harleys and start talking
about them being cyclists, and not bikers. That would save us a lot of
wasted bandwidth by you. I can only hope you take the bait.
Oh, yeah, and ask them why they aren't riding the far 'superior' rice
rockets from Japan that are made to look like big V-twins.
I hope you feet can't run as fast as you fingers spew garbage.
We have one Motorcycle shop that has gone as far as putting out a sign
that says "Harleys Only.". This discussion, if you can read the title,
does say Bikers vs. Cyclists.
The bikers tend to be a bit touchy about their $20,000 Harley being
compared to a 'bicycle'.

I doubt it would even be a remote interest to a cyclist (or anyone
else for that matter) to approach "a bunch of guys hanging by their
Harleys" and enter in to a discussion of what they are or are not.
Further, I think the possible dangers of such an encounter would be
obvious.

Quoted message said:

That's my only point, since I know the Harley guy around the corner.
Bill Baka

No, I think the "point" is to get on your high horse and brag about
how (allegedly) tough you are. Once again, the ones that keep bringing
it up, usually aren't.

While we're on the subject of your ridiculously fabricated fantasy
life, how about explaining this one:

On Sun, 16 Jul 2006 23:41:41 GMT, Bill <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Yep.
He was an ex-Oakland raider quarterback by the name of Dave Jones and
was a pretty good overall Gym teacher but he could not get me to call
"Uncle" so instead he hated me to the point of flunking me, knowing that
I needed his lousy 5 credit class to graduate. That is partly my fault
since I never took any extra credit classes to put my credits over the top.
Bill Baka

Quoted message said:

The only Oakland Raider named Dave Jones played TE in 1992. Further,
there has never been an Oakland Raider named Jones that played QB.

Quoted message said:

http://raiders.com/history/alltime_roster_j.jsp

R Brickston said:

On Thu, 20 Jul 2006 10:30:31 GMT, Bill <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

R Brickston said:

On Thu, 20 Jul 2006 04:29:21 GMT, Bill <[email hidden]>
wrote:

> Zoot Katz wrote:
>> On 19 Jul 2006 06:21:15 -0700, "Buck" <[email hidden]> wrote:
>>
>>> I've noticed a trend where cyclists are being called bikers. To me, a
>>> "biker" is a member of a motorcycling gang. Webster's indicates that
>>> "biker" applies to both bicyclists and motorcyclists. But I prefer to
>>> eliminate the confusion. No one would think of a Hell's Angel as a
>>> "cyclist".
>>>
>>> Am I the only one?
>>>
>> When I rode motorcycles I objected to "biker".
>>
>> As a "cyclist", that's what I usually call myself. But, many of my
>> bicycling friends easily refer to themselves as "bikers".
>> Now I've two tee-shirts with artsy graphics proclaiming, "BIKER".
>> I wear 'em.
> I don't want to stir it up but here is my input.
> To be politically correct (A term I hate) a cyclist is anyone on 2
> wheels. A biker is a subset of that group that happens to have a motor.
> The one thing that I want to mention is that with motorcyclists (and I
> hope bicyclists) is that if you mess with one, you have just messed with
> them all. A gang can be just 5 guys that like to ride together, as it
> was with me before I met my wife.
> The 'Brotherhood' thing came about when some dumb red neck tried to pick
> a fight with one of the guys whom he was bigger than, and suddenly there
> were 3 or more other Motorcyclists joining in to even the odds or just
> cancel the bully's ambitions.
> I hope it works with that with bicyclists, too.
> Back then (~1976) a biker had a motorcycle, a cyclist a bicycle.
> Things may have changed, but I think the code of taking care of one
> another will never change.
Baka, what does your report on the gang attitude of guys on motors
have to do with the current topic under discussion?

I you had any even small amount of brains you would probably not want
to walk up to a bunch of guys hanging by their Harleys and start talking
about them being cyclists, and not bikers. That would save us a lot of
wasted bandwidth by you. I can only hope you take the bait.
Oh, yeah, and ask them why they aren't riding the far 'superior' rice
rockets from Japan that are made to look like big V-twins.
I hope you feet can't run as fast as you fingers spew garbage.
We have one Motorcycle shop that has gone as far as putting out a sign
that says "Harleys Only.". This discussion, if you can read the title,
does say Bikers vs. Cyclists.
The bikers tend to be a bit touchy about their $20,000 Harley being
compared to a 'bicycle'.

I doubt it would even be a remote interest to a cyclist (or anyone
else for that matter) to approach "a bunch of guys hanging by their
Harleys" and enter in to a discussion of what they are or are not.
Further, I think the possible dangers of such an encounter would be
obvious.

OK,
So you are a sissy who would be intimidated by big guys on big bikes.
Wimp.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

That's my only point, since I know the Harley guy around the corner.
Bill Baka

No, I think the "point" is to get on your high horse and brag about
how (allegedly) tough you are. Once again, the ones that keep bringing
it up, usually aren't.

While we're on the subject of your ridiculously fabricated fantasy
life, how about explaining this one:

On Sun, 16 Jul 2006 23:41:41 GMT, Bill <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Yep.
He was an ex-Oakland raider quarterback by the name of Dave Jones and
was a pretty good overall Gym teacher but he could not get me to call
"Uncle" so instead he hated me to the point of flunking me, knowing that
I needed his lousy 5 credit class to graduate. That is partly my fault
since I never took any extra credit classes to put my credits over the top.
Bill Baka

I will look in my high school yearbook if I can ever find it and give
you the full stats on him. I can't claim to have perfect recall of all
my teachers names at this point but I do recall he said he was a
quarterback for Either the Raiders (I thought) or maybe (worse) the 49'ers.
Right now, you aren't worth my bother.
Bill Baka

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The only Oakland Raider named Dave Jones played TE in 1992. Further,
there has never been an Oakland Raider named Jones that played QB.

Quoted message said:

http://raiders.com/history/alltime_roster_j.jsp