There's a post I want to make about helmet use and clothing choices amongst the cyclists of various races(?)/nationalities(?) I see in my neighborhood and along the local trail, but fear of offending folks is keeping me from typing it out. I don't want to start a flame war -- not that I have enough readers to get into a debate -- about helmet use: wear one or don't; it's a personal choice. I wear one when I commute but sometimes I go without for errand-running. The more touchy issue may be one of race.
Oh, heck. I may as well jump in.
I may live in the sticks compared to those closer to DC, but my neighborhood is extremely diverse. On my block alone there are black, NE Asian, SE Asian, Hispanic, and white families. With the exception of myself, all the white folks wear helmets and "bike clothes". Occasionally, Scott will wear shorts and tee, but that's pretty rare. The black and Asian adults also wear helmets. They all wear regular street clothes. The Latinos also ride in street clothes but helmet-less . Most of the kids in the neighborhood don't wear helmets despite that being a Virginia law. Again, all are in street clothes.
It's a curious observance. I don't know if the whites see cycling as more of a sport while everyone else uses their bike for recreation and transport. I seem to be the only non-Latino who shops via bicycle, except when Scott joins me, of course.
I repeat, these observations are for my neighborhood and commute ONLY. When I ride farther afield, clothing choices and helmet use vary. I'm curious, though: do you notice any trends amongst the cyclists you see in your neck of the woods?
You know that is an interesting observation and something id also say is true in the uk although I'll be more observant on this. Your conclusion is also sound as its all I could think up at this time. Notably at races in this country, Asian or African people tend not to be present. This is also reflected professionally too. Interesting.....thanks.
ReplyDeleteI didn't even think about races, but yes, there's not much diversity present in those events -- that I've seen, anyway -- on this side of the pond either. Hm.
DeleteYou're using the word "trends" to avoid using the more appropriate word here - "stereotypes". This post is gross, and I thought more highly of you.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI deleted the above comment to add some more.
DeleteExcuse me? I'm being gross because I've commented on what I've personally seen around my neighborhood. I don't see where I said all people everywhere are like this.
Would it make you more comfortable if I specifically noted that EVERYBODY in long distance group rides wore helmets and the majority of folks wore sport clothes regardless of race, religion, or creed. How about the part that mentioned when I go farther afield clothing and helmet use varies, such as when I rode around DC on my own. I was one of the few cyclists -- of any race -- wearing a helmet and only a couple I saw were in sport clothes.
Stereotypes are used as a mental shorthand (to process lots of information into broad categories), so the first problem is that once you make such an observation, you'll naturally ignore incidences that don't fit your stereotyped beliefs, and only see the ones that confirm your beliefs.
DeleteThe second problem with such stereotypes is that you've based them on race because that's the easily visible attribute. Other attributes (such as if the person is training for a race, or using their bike for transportation, or for play/socialization) aren't so easy to see at a glance, so it's harder to categorize along these lines.
It doesn't really matter that you've only stereotyped your neighbors and not folks in DC or my neighborhood or anywhere else. You're still doing it.
No where did I suggest that you were writing for my approval or comfort level. As your friend, I told you that this post was gross. You don't have to agree with me. If YOU are comfortable with a gross post, then by all means, keep it as it is.
Stereotypes are used as a mental shorthand (to process lots of information into broad categories), so the first problem is that once you make such an observation, you'll naturally ignore incidences that don't fit your stereotyped beliefs, and only see the ones that confirm your beliefs.
DeleteI know this. I am well aware of the "cyclists flaunt rules of the road" stereotype. I admit that I do stereotype other cyclists based on clothing and bike set-up:
Lycra + road bike - backpack or pannier + any time of day = racer
Lycra + any kind of bike + backpack or pannier + rush hours = commuter
Street clothes + any kind of bike +/- backpack or pannier + rush hours = commuter
Street clothes + any kind of bike + back of groceries + any time of day = transportation cyclist
Based on your assumption that I am stereotyping and only see the people who confirm my beliefs, I must not have seen the two little Hispanic girls riding their princess bikes and wearing helmets near the mailbox when I got home last night. I must not have seen the black men in lycra kit on road bikes in Leesburg last weekend. Nor did I see the young white man wearing a button-down shirt, shorts, a backpack, and earbuds riding helmetless on the W&OD this morning. My mind is obviously too fixed to pay attention to the people around me. Except that I HAVE to pay attention to the world and people around me when I'm on my bike for my safety as well as theirs.
I still fail to see how what I've posted is stereotpying, and we'll have to disagree on this.
The folks that I see riding bikes around my area are either a) sports cyclists on club rides in lycra or b) mostly young men, mostly black or hispanic, riding in street clothes without helmets, and obviously riding for transportation.
ReplyDeleteI don't do club rides. I'm much more likely to fall into category B than category A, even though I'm a middle-aged, white female rider. I ride mostly in shorts & t-shirts. For long rides, I'll put a padded liner under my shorts, because my 60 year old skin is more fragile than it used to be. :( I do wear a helmet.
I wave at everybody on a bike. It's the young men riding for transport who mostly wave back though. I admire them.
I don't know another woman my age who rides around town on a bike for transport. Of course, my area isn't especially bike-friendly. :(
I do love seeing transportation cyclists. It makes me feel like my suburb is a little more healthy for residents. That may be a fallacy, but it's my dream. Maybe you'll be able to inspire other women to get out there despite the lack of bike-friendly infrastructure.
DeleteAs Jez has already said, an interesting observation and something that can be found in the UK too....
ReplyDeleteI have to say I am surprised by the comments of 'alienor'...observations of human behaviour across various nationalities and cultures is certainly valid and used in marketing as well as scientific studies...
A lot of human behaviour is determined by conditioning rather than thought or feelings..... I would suggest that alienor's reaction might well be a perfect example of modern day PC conditioning!!
-Trevor
I know that issues of privilege are a hot-button topic for Alienor. I didn't realize that my observations -- and asking others for theirs -- would be such a trigger. My disclaimer on the touchiness of race was about my choice of terms 'white' and 'black', and not because I was trying to say that everyone of a particular race behaved in a certain way all of the time.
DeletePeople can be very sensitive as Trevor knows very well when he posted about compulsory helmet use.
DeleteStill I think most people will see where you are coming from as long as they can be level headed about it and go with what you title states.'Observations'.
There are a lot of things that can be observed by watching cyclists. I don't think that observations are inherently bad/wrong, and it's a way for all of us to help bridge gaps. Personally, I don't view what you've said as stereotyping, but rather you observing what is taking place in your neighborhood. I often wonder if it's lack of education provided across the city/county that prevents individuals from wearing helmets? Of course, I'm not really one to speak as I don't generally wear one myself and I am well-read on the topic of helmets. For some folks it might be a cost barrier, or viewed as something unnecessary. If one isn't riding fast and is on slower, safer roads, perhaps it isn't something they wish to invest in? Then, sometimes there are language barriers that slow the process of getting information out to everyone.
ReplyDeleteOn the topic of stereotyping, it exists everywhere -- across races, creeds, neighborhoods, ages, sexes, and so on. Is it right? Absolutely not. But, I think the key element missing in your statements that prevent making it "stereotyping" is that it is generally a widely held belief that over-simplifies a group, etc. I don't think your statements were made to over simplify anything, nor to group any particular people for your betterment, nor to make you feel superior.
Thank you for your comments. I wasn't making value judgments (aside from the kids' parents) and was afraid that readers might view my post as thought it were going in that way. My goal was to share the make-up of cyclists in my neighborhood and learn about other folks' neighborhoods as well.
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