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| Hey- You're Not From Around Here, Are Ya? |
Now let me give you an example to help illustrate my theory here.
Back when I was in college, I worked part time in a jewelry store. I lived in the dormitories then and had to walk a considerable distance to get to my car. This generally took me across a few campus streets and a couple of large parking lots.
If I was, say- heading out to see a live band- I would be cut off by cars, not given any quarter by delivery trucks, or by campus vehicles. If; however, I was in a suit and tie, going to work, I was given full right of way by folks in cars and trucks. Often times cars would actually stop mid-block and wave me across the street. These were the same folks that would sooner run me over than let me cross if I were dressed in a t-shirt and jeans.
Perception..........
My "theory" is that folks that are not cyclists don't see the helmet wearing, Lycra-clad cyclists as "human" either. In my experience, I am often given plenty of room if I ride my townie in my jeans and t-shirt with a ball cap on. But the minute I don a "brain bucket" and a pair of sunglasses, it seems I am seen differently. Am I the only one that sees this? Helmets just seem to make us look like aliens and dorks to non-cyclists, apparently not worthy of consideration as humans.
Maybe I'm all wrong here. Let me know....
9 comments:
It's not just you seeing it,my friend...
SS
I agree completely. Especially when you consider motorcyclists typically don't wear helmets around here. I had this discussion with a co-worker who made fun of my lycra leg warmers which I had on under some baggies. I said "how is this different than football? A big man....really big man....wearing tights. It is what it is and they look ridiculous on the field!" Perception.
Brent
This is already a proven theory. Didn't you ever hear about the study done by someone I think in the UK in which wearing a blond wig gave him the widest cushion of space around him?
I completely agree. I have found a combination of regular looking clothing and black helmet keep me comfortable, relatively safe, and a fair amount of respect from drivers. The flannel shirt is my key weapon against driver prejudice.
I have to disagree- I am routinely surprised at how wide a swing drivers give me on rural rides, both pavement and gravel. They treat me as if I'm just another piece of slow-moving farm equipment.
Full disclosure- I also use obnoxious jersey colors and flashing rear lights, day or night. That may or may not be related.
Commuting in Vienna, and now here in Indianola I have noticed similar things Mark. If I am wearing a suit and no helmet - cars pretty much give me the entire street and actually put themselves at risk by moving way over to the other side. If I'm in my cycling kit on a training ride on the same streets - many will just barely give me 3' and some almost buzz me. I also noticed that a flashing red light on the rear for commutes does the same as wearing a suit - the cars give you more room than they really need to do. I haven't tried mixing a suit and a helmet to collect that data? ;-)
I think your on to something. The helmet and flashy led thing on two wheels is just another deer on the damn road to most non-cyclists.
I know that dogs think we are aliens until we talk to them. Inconsistent results with motorists. Seems to just depend on the day.
Yup. The Mary Poppins Effect. I see someone beat me to it.
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