Seems that the "Two Wheels" column in the Grauniad is a regular. So which
Stereotype are you? Of course I myself personally do not conform to any of
them. (Though maybe a campaign-commuter without the stickers).
http://www.guardian.co.uk/wheels/story/0,,1585067,00.html
Most cyclists seem to relish the feeling of belonging to an embattled
minority. And what defines "us" is mostly our common disdain for "them" -
the assorted sinners of the road-going universe: U-turning black cabbies,
oblivious bus drivers, flash gits in sports cars, school-run mums in SUVs,
Royal Mail truck drivers "going postal", the ubiquitous white-van man. It's
astonishing - and possibly a little outrageous - the number of stereotypes
we carry around in our heads.
But imagine the tables turned. What do cyclists look like if we see
ourselves as others see us? We may think we are all just individuals united
by our choice of personal transport, but I guarantee that, for every
cyclist, someone sees a stereotype. "Lycra lout" is the obvious one. We may
not wish to own it, but drivers would definitely say they know one when they
see one. But not all derogatory tags come from outside. Sports cyclists
sometimes talk about "nodders" - referring to the unconscious habit of many
casual riders to nod their heads up and down as they pedal. Mean? Absolutely
(but just look around).
Others? Well, there is "courier-dude" on a track bike without brakes. And
"messenger-wannabe", indistinguishable except for having brakes. Then
there's "campaigner-commuter", usually riding a well-travelled touring bike
covered in stickers. Behind is "sit-up-and-beggar", pedalling in
inappropriate footwear the same bike they had when they were students
(basket optional). And not forgetting "mountainbike-macho", the guy
(invariably male) who will always overtake you again if you get in front.
It is easy to get offended by such reductive labels. But it's not just blind
prejudice; we use them to predict driver behaviour. For example, Q: what is
the likelihood of this vehicle ahead of me at the lights turning left
without indicating? A: taxi 10%, white van 40%, SUV man talking on his
mobile 90%, etc. And I suspect motorists are watching cyclists and doing the
maths. Stereotypes? Don't knock 'em. They keep us alive.