Should Bikers make a Statement on their back?

"oilfreeandhappy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm curious what everybody thinks about bikers wearing clothing that
promotes alternative transportation. Obviously our backs are much
larger than a car's bumper sticker, so we should be that much more
effective.

Is it a distraction to the motorist? Is it better to avoid the
potential confrontations, because the cars are bigger? Or is it cool?
What are your thoughts?

First, I think you are in the wrong newsgroup.

Apart from that fact, I think wearing clothing to promote anything is
stupid. I don't put bumper stickers on my car and I preferr not to make
lame "statements" with my clothing. There are much better methods to voice
political opinions. Write a letter to your local paper or something. It
strikes me that it's more about making you feel good about your "statement"
then any real effort to communicate.

Those are my thoughts.

oilfreeandhappy said:

I'm curious what everybody thinks about bikers wearing clothing that
promotes alternative transportation. Obviously our backs are much
larger than a car's bumper sticker, so we should be that much more
effective.

Is it a distraction to the motorist? Is it better to avoid the
potential confrontations, because the cars are bigger? Or is it cool?
What are your thoughts?

I wear clothing that is comfortable, affordable, and appropriate for the
activity I am doing. I don't care if it says suck oil and drive an
Excursion as long as it does what it is intended to do. People who want
to save the world will do so regardless of what slogan you or anyone
else puts on their clothing.

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws

"Ride-A-Lot" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

oilfreeandhappy said:

I'm curious what everybody thinks about bikers wearing clothing that
promotes alternative transportation. Obviously our backs are much
larger than a car's bumper sticker, so we should be that much more
effective.

Is it a distraction to the motorist? Is it better to avoid the
potential confrontations, because the cars are bigger? Or is it cool?
What are your thoughts?

I wear clothing that is comfortable, affordable, and appropriate for the
activity I am doing. I don't care if it says suck oil and drive an
Excursion as long as it does what it is intended to do. People who want
to save the world will do so regardless of what slogan you or anyone else
puts on their clothing.

Well, in that vein, why don't we all just keep quiet and avoid expressing
ourselves altogether? I always thought discourse was overrated . . .

"Suck oil and drive an Excursion". I like that. Maybe a T-Shirt?

oilfreeandhappy said:

I'm curious what everybody thinks about bikers wearing clothing that
promotes alternative transportation. Obviously our backs are much
larger than a car's bumper sticker, so we should be that much more
effective.

Is it a distraction to the motorist? Is it better to avoid the
potential confrontations, because the cars are bigger? Or is it
cool? What are your thoughts?

My thoughts are that you're looking for a rationalization/excuse to spam
newsgroups with your lame, overpriced patches and t-shirts some more and you
should stop it.

Bill "there ya go" S.

oilfreeandhappy said:

"Suck oil and drive an Excursion". I like that. Maybe a T-Shirt?

Full page newspaper ad, duh!

i like colorfull jerseys, if it feels good keep doing it till it doesnt
feel good any more

oilfreeandhappy said:

I'm curious what everybody thinks about bikers wearing clothing that
promotes alternative transportation. Obviously our backs are much
larger than a car's bumper sticker, so we should be that much more
effective.

Is it a distraction to the motorist? Is it better to avoid the
potential confrontations, because the cars are bigger? Or is it cool?
What are your thoughts?

Heh! No one would see it....I've usually got a hydration pack or
backpack on.

Besides, if they're close enough to read it, they are close enough to
hit you when they are talking on their cell phone, drinking coffee,
reading the paper, putting on make-up or otherwise not paying attention
at the wheel

Psycho Mike

* oilfreeandhappy <[email hidden]>:

Quoted message said:

I'm curious what everybody thinks about bikers wearing clothing that
promotes alternative transportation. Obviously our backs are much
larger than a car's bumper sticker, so we should be that much more
effective.

Is it a distraction to the motorist? Is it better to avoid the
potential confrontations, because the cars are bigger? Or is it cool?
What are your thoughts?

Looking to rationalize your spamming now are you?

Jason

I don't need to "spam" a newsgroup to sell my products. I have them
displayed prominently in bike shops. I put no URL on this post. It is
good to get opinions from newsgroups though, as that's something I
don't get much from the bikeshops.

Of course, I got no such opinion from your response, only a slam.

Per oilfreeandhappy:

Quoted message said:

Is it a distraction to the motorist? Is it better to avoid the
potential confrontations, because the cars are bigger? Or is it cool?
What are your thoughts?

Having been treasurer of a 1,200-member civic association for seven years; I can
tell you with some certainty that out of every 1,000 people, at least five of
them are stone crazy at any given moment. Yes, probably 2 of them are paranoid
schizos or stage n Alzheimer's... but the other three are different people on
different days.

Some of the people you encounter (or encounter you...) on the road are not going
to be rational at that particular moment and, as stated, cars really are
bigger.... in fact they can kill or maim you with the flick of a wrist and beat
the rap by telling the cops that you were weaving. Been there seen it done...

So my bottom line is: don't do *anything* to agitate strangers. "The Man In The
Gray Flannel Suit" and all that...
--
PeteCresswell

Per cc:

Quoted message said:

Well, in that vein, why don't we all just keep quiet and avoid expressing
ourselves altogether? I always thought discourse was overrated . . .

Discourse with total strangers can be perceived as rude/offensive and can be
extremely dangerous. Like-it-or-not we live in a cosmopolitan world where
different groups have radically different ideas of what constitutes acceptable
behavior. Go to Hawaii sometime and try flipping the bird to somebody in
traffic - you'll see... and never do it again (if you survive the resulting
encounter....).
--
PeteCresswell

(PeteCresswell) said:

Per cc:

Quoted message said:

Well, in that vein, why don't we all just keep quiet and avoid expressing
ourselves altogether? I always thought discourse was overrated . . .

Discourse with total strangers can be perceived as rude/offensive and can be
extremely dangerous. Like-it-or-not we live in a cosmopolitan world where
different groups have radically different ideas of what constitutes acceptable
behavior. Go to Hawaii sometime and try flipping the bird to somebody in
traffic - you'll see... and never do it again (if you survive the resulting
encounter....).

This is one extreme. My point is simply that to avoid the meeting of
different opinions - and hence the sharing of different ideas -
altogether is a coward's way of dealing with the fact that conflicting
viewpoints do exist. Without understanding we are doomed to perpetual
ignorance.

(PeteCresswell) said:

Per cc:

Quoted message said:

Well, in that vein, why don't we all just keep quiet and avoid expressing
ourselves altogether? I always thought discourse was overrated . . .

Discourse with total strangers can be perceived as rude/offensive and can be
extremely dangerous. Like-it-or-not we live in a cosmopolitan world where
different groups have radically different ideas of what constitutes acceptable
behavior. Go to Hawaii sometime and try flipping the bird to somebody in
traffic - you'll see... and never do it again (if you survive the resulting
encounter....).

I noticed that while out there. What is that all about (I didn't do it
myself). The guy who received the finger pursued the other individual
for four miles, honking, screaming, and actually trying to pass him on a
two lane city street. I don't know what happened when they both turned
onto another street.

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws

cc said:

This is one extreme. My point is simply that to avoid the meeting of
different opinions - and hence the sharing of different ideas -
altogether is a coward's way of dealing with the fact that conflicting
viewpoints do exist. Without understanding we are doomed to perpetual
ignorance.

Ah, but ignorance is bliss.

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws

Per cc:

Quoted message said:

This is one extreme.

Not in the context of some 45-year old woman being able to kill or maim you with
a flick of her wrist - and not having to answer for it. Don't underestimate
the potential for something like this.
--
PeteCresswell

(PeteCresswell) said:

Per cc:

Quoted message said:

This is one extreme.

Not in the context of some 45-year old woman being able to kill or maim you with
a flick of her wrist - and not having to answer for it. Don't underestimate
the potential for something like this.

I'm not by any means. I'm just saying that - while your practical
example may be a judicious case of restraint and respect - that
philosophy is one to be applied carefully.

Ride-A-Lot said:

cc said:

This is one extreme. My point is simply that to avoid the meeting of
different opinions - and hence the sharing of different ideas -
altogether is a coward's way of dealing with the fact that conflicting
viewpoints do exist. Without understanding we are doomed to perpetual
ignorance.

Ah, but ignorance is bliss.

That's an interesting paradox. Kind of like "youth is wasted on the young"

Per Ride-A-Lot:

Quoted message said:

What is that all about

To make a gross oversimplification: to people over there, you, I, and everybody
we normally associate with are a bunch of limp-wristed, cowardly, screaming
[censored] who have no concept whatsoever of proper behavior.

The guy who was being pursued got his ass kicked and his vehicle damaged.
--
PeteCresswell