Dealing with anti-cycling "friends"

One of my friends (co-worker, actually) posted on Facebook that he had an encounter with a rude cyclist, and he couldn't wait to see the cyclist's ghost bike.

I don't know about anyone else here, but I know there are rude cyclists, just as there are rude drivers, but I don't wish any of them dead. I said as much, and told him he was wrong for wishing the cyclist dead and should be ashamed. He responded that he didn't really care about my opinion and I should keep it to myself, to which I responded that he invited my opinion when he offered his. So he defriended me.

That's all I got really, just a basic Facebook pissing contest. Do you ever encounter "friends" (or people you just know) who hate on cyclists? How do you deal with them? I can let a lot of stuff slide by, but I draw the line at hoping to see a cyclist's ghost bike.

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Permalink Reply by Minh on January 11, 2013 at 6:56pm

You can be right or have a relationship.

Permalink Reply by sosathirteen on January 11, 2013 at 7:43pm
Spoken like a wise sage.
Permalink Reply by Joseph Shields on January 13, 2013 at 9:42am

There is a hierarchy on the road.  Those who drive automobiles cannot complain or talk shit about anyone, because their modus of travel has the ability to kill both bicyclists and pedestrians, as well as others in automobiles.  If a car was ever inconvenienced because of someone on a bike or a pedestrian, they have no real cause to complain about.  It should be understood that they are part of the problem themselves.  Now, taking that one step further, bicyclists can talk shit about cars, because they are at a much higher risk and I can sympathize with their cause and they are generally treated poorly on the road.  But, I have also seen bicycles treat pedestrians with the same lack of consideration and lack of respect for their safety as they might equally receive from motorists.  Ultimately the pedestrian is the most "naked" and at risk individual.  So, while I agree with your cause as a bicyclist, please consider how you treat those who are simply on their feet and have to defend themselves not only from cars, but riders just as much.

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on January 14, 2013 at 5:32am

This has to be one of the most ill conceived notion about manner on the road that I have ever seen.

Cars have EVERY right to be annoyed and complain about it when a cyclists does something rude, illegal or just plain stupid that inconveniences them.  It is stupid to think that somebodies transportation choices have any bearing on their right to get upset when others are ignorant.

Joseph Shields said:

There is a hierarchy on the road.  Those who drive automobiles cannot complain or talk shit about anyone, because their modus of travel has the ability to kill both bicyclists and pedestrians, as well as others in automobiles.  If a car was ever inconvenienced because of someone on a bike or a pedestrian, they have no real cause to complain about.  It should be understood that they are part of the problem themselves.  Now, taking that one step further, bicyclists can talk shit about cars, because they are at a much higher risk and I can sympathize with their cause and they are generally treated poorly on the road.  But, I have also seen bicycles treat pedestrians with the same lack of consideration and lack of respect for their safety as they might equally receive from motorists.  Ultimately the pedestrian is the most "naked" and at risk individual.  So, while I agree with your cause as a bicyclist, please consider how you treat those who are simply on their feet and have to defend themselves not only from cars, but riders just as much.

Permalink Reply by Joseph Shields on January 14, 2013 at 1:34pm

There is nothing more satisfying than pissing off someone in car.  I think the scale with which they amplify their anger is in direct proportion to the size of their car and in inverse proportion to the size of their humanity.  But that aside, the car is truly the biggest inconvenience of all.  It has ruined so many great things about our lives, our society, our culture, our architecture, our way of thinking about the world.  So to sit and watch a driver get pissed off as I cross the road in front of him, walking home from work in 0 degree weather, while he sits in his heated oasis, fumed, just wanting to hit the gas and plow me over.  I smile back at him and enjoy his inconvenience that much more.  

notoriousDUG said:

This has to be one of the most ill conceived notion about manner on the road that I have ever seen.

Cars have EVERY right to be annoyed and complain about it when a cyclists does something rude, illegal or just plain stupid that inconveniences them.  It is stupid to think that somebodies transportation choices have any bearing on their right to get upset when others are ignorant.

Joseph Shields said:

There is a hierarchy on the road.  Those who drive automobiles cannot complain or talk shit about anyone, because their modus of travel has the ability to kill both bicyclists and pedestrians, as well as others in automobiles.  If a car was ever inconvenienced because of someone on a bike or a pedestrian, they have no real cause to complain about.  It should be understood that they are part of the problem themselves.  Now, taking that one step further, bicyclists can talk shit about cars, because they are at a much higher risk and I can sympathize with their cause and they are generally treated poorly on the road.  But, I have also seen bicycles treat pedestrians with the same lack of consideration and lack of respect for their safety as they might equally receive from motorists.  Ultimately the pedestrian is the most "naked" and at risk individual.  So, while I agree with your cause as a bicyclist, please consider how you treat those who are simply on their feet and have to defend themselves not only from cars, but riders just as much.

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on January 14, 2013 at 2:55pm

You are an asshole and you make the roads worse for EVERYONE on them.  The attitude you have is so damaging to the cause of cycling advocacy that I don't even have the words to express the harm you do.  All of the anger and ill will we all deal with is driven by people just like you no matter what form of transportation they choose.

Cars, nor the people who drive them are inherently evil.  In fact cars are pretty darn useful and there is nothing wrong with choosing to use one from time to time. 

Joseph Shields said:

There is nothing more satisfying than pissing off someone in car.  I think the scale with which they amplify their anger is in direct proportion to the size of their car and in inverse proportion to the size of their humanity.  But that aside, the car is truly the biggest inconvenience of all.  It has ruined so many great things about our lives, our society, our culture, our architecture, our way of thinking about the world.  So to sit and watch a driver get pissed off as I cross the road in front of him, walking home from work in 0 degree weather, while he sits in his heated oasis, fumed, just wanting to hit the gas and plow me over.  I smile back at him and enjoy his inconvenience that much more.  

notoriousDUG said:

This has to be one of the most ill conceived notion about manner on the road that I have ever seen.

Cars have EVERY right to be annoyed and complain about it when a cyclists does something rude, illegal or just plain stupid that inconveniences them.  It is stupid to think that somebodies transportation choices have any bearing on their right to get upset when others are ignorant.

Joseph Shields said:

There is a hierarchy on the road.  Those who drive automobiles cannot complain or talk shit about anyone, because their modus of travel has the ability to kill both bicyclists and pedestrians, as well as others in automobiles.  If a car was ever inconvenienced because of someone on a bike or a pedestrian, they have no real cause to complain about.  It should be understood that they are part of the problem themselves.  Now, taking that one step further, bicyclists can talk shit about cars, because they are at a much higher risk and I can sympathize with their cause and they are generally treated poorly on the road.  But, I have also seen bicycles treat pedestrians with the same lack of consideration and lack of respect for their safety as they might equally receive from motorists.  Ultimately the pedestrian is the most "naked" and at risk individual.  So, while I agree with your cause as a bicyclist, please consider how you treat those who are simply on their feet and have to defend themselves not only from cars, but riders just as much.

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on January 14, 2013 at 3:02pm

Trolling, trolling, trolling, keep them doggies trolling, RAWHIDE . . . .  

Oops, wrong song.

Permalink Reply by Joseph Shields on January 14, 2013 at 3:19pm

The only anger and ill will expressed thus far has been from you.  I never made any attacks on your person, only expressed my opinions with regard to cars.  I only pointed out the smile on my face, whence you called me an asshole.  The amplification of your anger is palpable.  I hope you enjoy it.

notoriousDUG said:

You are an asshole and you make the roads worse for EVERYONE on them.  The attitude you have is so damaging to the cause of cycling advocacy that I don't even have the words to express the harm you do.  All of the anger and ill will we all deal with is driven by people just like you no matter what form of transportation they choose.

Cars, nor the people who drive them are inherently evil.  In fact cars are pretty darn useful and there is nothing wrong with choosing to use one from time to time. 

Joseph Shields said:

There is nothing more satisfying than pissing off someone in car.  I think the scale with which they amplify their anger is in direct proportion to the size of their car and in inverse proportion to the size of their humanity.  But that aside, the car is truly the biggest inconvenience of all.  It has ruined so many great things about our lives, our society, our culture, our architecture, our way of thinking about the world.  So to sit and watch a driver get pissed off as I cross the road in front of him, walking home from work in 0 degree weather, while he sits in his heated oasis, fumed, just wanting to hit the gas and plow me over.  I smile back at him and enjoy his inconvenience that much more.  

notoriousDUG said:

This has to be one of the most ill conceived notion about manner on the road that I have ever seen.

Cars have EVERY right to be annoyed and complain about it when a cyclists does something rude, illegal or just plain stupid that inconveniences them.  It is stupid to think that somebodies transportation choices have any bearing on their right to get upset when others are ignorant.

Joseph Shields said:

There is a hierarchy on the road.  Those who drive automobiles cannot complain or talk shit about anyone, because their modus of travel has the ability to kill both bicyclists and pedestrians, as well as others in automobiles.  If a car was ever inconvenienced because of someone on a bike or a pedestrian, they have no real cause to complain about.  It should be understood that they are part of the problem themselves.  Now, taking that one step further, bicyclists can talk shit about cars, because they are at a much higher risk and I can sympathize with their cause and they are generally treated poorly on the road.  But, I have also seen bicycles treat pedestrians with the same lack of consideration and lack of respect for their safety as they might equally receive from motorists.  Ultimately the pedestrian is the most "naked" and at risk individual.  So, while I agree with your cause as a bicyclist, please consider how you treat those who are simply on their feet and have to defend themselves not only from cars, but riders just as much.

Permalink Reply by Minh on January 14, 2013 at 3:20pm

Ha this has to be a joke.

Joseph Shields said:

There is nothing more satisfying than pissing off someone in car.  I think the scale with which they amplify their anger is in direct proportion to the size of their car and in inverse proportion to the size of their humanity.  But that aside, the car is truly the biggest inconvenience of all.  It has ruined so many great things about our lives, our society, our culture, our architecture, our way of thinking about the world.  So to sit and watch a driver get pissed off as I cross the road in front of him, walking home from work in 0 degree weather, while he sits in his heated oasis, fumed, just wanting to hit the gas and plow me over.  I smile back at him and enjoy his inconvenience that much more.  

notoriousDUG said:

This has to be one of the most ill conceived notion about manner on the road that I have ever seen.

Cars have EVERY right to be annoyed and complain about it when a cyclists does something rude, illegal or just plain stupid that inconveniences them.  It is stupid to think that somebodies transportation choices have any bearing on their right to get upset when others are ignorant.

Joseph Shields said:

There is a hierarchy on the road.  Those who drive automobiles cannot complain or talk shit about anyone, because their modus of travel has the ability to kill both bicyclists and pedestrians, as well as others in automobiles.  If a car was ever inconvenienced because of someone on a bike or a pedestrian, they have no real cause to complain about.  It should be understood that they are part of the problem themselves.  Now, taking that one step further, bicyclists can talk shit about cars, because they are at a much higher risk and I can sympathize with their cause and they are generally treated poorly on the road.  But, I have also seen bicycles treat pedestrians with the same lack of consideration and lack of respect for their safety as they might equally receive from motorists.  Ultimately the pedestrian is the most "naked" and at risk individual.  So, while I agree with your cause as a bicyclist, please consider how you treat those who are simply on their feet and have to defend themselves not only from cars, but riders just as much.

Permalink Reply by sosathirteen on January 14, 2013 at 3:26pm
Cars aren't inherently evil? Oh I guess they're just the object our entire unsustainable crumbling infrastructure based on. No big
Permalink Reply by Zoetrope on January 14, 2013 at 5:23pm

Cheers for making me laugh.  

Also, is this even english? "This has to be one of the most ill conceived notion about manner on the road that I have ever seen."



Joseph Shields said:

The only anger and ill will expressed thus far has been from you.  I never made any attacks on your person, only expressed my opinions with regard to cars.  I only pointed out the smile on my face, whence you called me an asshole.  The amplification of your anger is palpable.  I hope you enjoy it.

Permalink Reply by S on January 14, 2013 at 6:26pm

Cool.  So I take it that you'll give up your bike since it's made up of materials that have been carried around in cars/trucks.  I suppose you also have your own garden and only eat things grown in their since pretty much everything else has been transported by cars/trucks.  The fact of the matter is pretty much everything we use and eat is transported by automobiles.  If they are inherently evil then I don't understand how in good conscious you can claim that and still use things that support that evil.  The only people that don't benefit from automobiles are people living in isolated tribes in the middle of nowhere.   

Allen Johnson said:

Cars aren't inherently evil? Oh I guess they're just the object our entire unsustainable crumbling infrastructure based on. No big

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