What Does Your Family Think???

What does your family think of your life as a cyclist?

I'm mostly a city commuter and I know my dad is nervous that I am going to get hit by a car while I'm biking. I explain to him that more people my age are killed in car accidents than bike accidents.

My 7 year old suburban nephew thinks I'm cool cause I don't use my car often. He is quickly becoming a bike fanatic too!

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Permalink Reply by Joel on June 1, 2010 at 4:46am
I would say they are mostly ambivalent -- at least my immediate family. My parents are slightly nervous about me riding in the city, but know that I'm as safe as I can be and am getting exercise. A cousin's wife (also in Chicago) bikes, so she thinks it is cool. Mostly, people don't care.

Also, I didn't read the entire thread, but I would say that the first post saying more people are killed while driving is true, but misleading because of the difference in magnitude of people in each category. Sadly, it is more dangerous to bike than drive.
Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on June 1, 2010 at 5:14am
They think I'm an idiot but I am not sure if that has to do with the biking or other incidents...
Permalink Reply by Juan 2-3 or more mi. on June 1, 2010 at 7:11am
My Mom always worries since I stopped driving and ride all year-round. If I dont call or visit on Sunday, I will get a panicked call from her on Monday. My eldest sister starts to join me on fairweather CM rides.
Permalink Reply by Kellie on June 1, 2010 at 9:54am
My parents and sister tend to think it is just the most recent way for me to be insolent and self-righteous (they're not 100% wrong) and still think I will grow out of it.

On the bright side, after hearing so many of my stories, my mom has said many times that she has become significantly more aware and patient with bicyclists when she's driving.

Permalink Reply by Michael Perz on June 1, 2010 at 10:17am
One of my best friends opted out of high school driver education for this exact reason, and it's something I've never understood. Simply being licensed in no way negates any intent you may have to never sit down behind the wheel of a car, but like any learned skill it can enrich who you are and give you a better understanding and appreciation of the world around you. For a cyclist it is well worth knowing what it takes to accelerate, maneuver and stop a car because it gives you insight to what drivers around you are and are not capable of.

Spencer "Thunderball" Thayer! said:
I haven't noticed this topic before. Very interesting to read so many responses similar to my own experience.

Growing up in a sprawl everyone drove so I know what it's like being the odd man out. In High school I refused to take drivers education seriously and never did the instructor part. Instead I spent the money for the instructor and insurance on a CD, tshirt and a new brake pad. I told my mother then that I will never have an interest in driving and it's been a sticking point with my family. But after about 10 years of watching commute at all times of the year they got used to it and now I've convinced my brother that biking in our hometown isn't as bad as he thinks.

I'm actually thinking about getting a license now because I may have a job opportunity visiting the middle east that will require some driving.
Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on June 2, 2010 at 3:22am
I have said it before:

Everyone who rides a bike for their daily transportation should be forced to at the minimum take a drivers ed class and get a license. Unless you have driven a car it is hard to appreciate blind spots and just how much is going on when you drive.

Inversely people who drive every day in the city should be forced to ride a bike for a week...

Michael Perz said:
One of my best friends opted out of high school driver education for this exact reason, and it's something I've never understood. Simply being licensed in no way negates any intent you may have to never sit down behind the wheel of a car, but like any learned skill it can enrich who you are and give you a better understanding and appreciation of the world around you. For a cyclist it is well worth knowing what it takes to accelerate, maneuver and stop a car because it gives you insight to what drivers around you are and are not capable of.

Spencer "Thunderball" Thayer! said:
I haven't noticed this topic before. Very interesting to read so many responses similar to my own experience.

Growing up in a sprawl everyone drove so I know what it's like being the odd man out. In High school I refused to take drivers education seriously and never did the instructor part. Instead I spent the money for the instructor and insurance on a CD, tshirt and a new brake pad. I told my mother then that I will never have an interest in driving and it's been a sticking point with my family. But after about 10 years of watching commute at all times of the year they got used to it and now I've convinced my brother that biking in our hometown isn't as bad as he thinks.

I'm actually thinking about getting a license now because I may have a job opportunity visiting the middle east that will require some driving.
Permalink Reply by mike w. on June 2, 2010 at 3:36am
Kellie said:
My parents and sister tend to think it is just the most recent way for me to be insolent and self-righteous (they're not 100% wrong) and still think I will grow out of it.

On the bright side, after hearing so many of my stories, my mom has said many times that she has become significantly more aware and patient with bicyclists when she's driving.


...as in "the rider you hit might be your child?"
Permalink Reply by Kellie on June 2, 2010 at 3:54am
No, I think it would be a mistake to personalize her comments to that extent. I think she has just become more aware of the danger that bicyclists face, the role that thoughtless drivers have in that danger and her own role in that, as a driver.

mike w. said:
Kellie said:
My parents and sister tend to think it is just the most recent way for me to be insolent and self-righteous (they're not 100% wrong) and still think I will grow out of it.

On the bright side, after hearing so many of my stories, my mom has said many times that she has become significantly more aware and patient with bicyclists when she's driving.


...as in "the rider you hit might be your child?"
Permalink Reply by Carl on June 2, 2010 at 6:04am
Mom is glad that I'm not racing around with a motorbike or hopped up Monte Carlo anymore. She's also glad that I no longer go crashing around in strip pits on a BMX looking for ditches to fall into. I sport far fewer scabs these days =)
Permalink Reply by Lisa yeah on June 2, 2010 at 9:02am
They think I'm all green and librul.
Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on September 17, 2010 at 8:27am
If your family ever wonders why you ride on the street and not the sidewalk send them this video from CDOT. A number of Chainlinkers are in the video!
Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on September 17, 2010 at 9:09am
Because it's called a sidewalk, not a sideride. :)
Julie Hochstadter said:
If your family ever wonders why you ride on the street and not the sidewalk send them this video from CDOT. A number of Chainlinkers are in the video!

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