Bicycle Date
Okay, so I went on this date. Not a first date, but close to it and we were getting along… so far. After dinner we realized that we were going the same direction and decided to bike part of the way together.
I’m a pretty rule oriented cyclist. I signal, stop for red lights and pedestrians, walk my bike in crosswalks and on sidewalks, etc. Well, my date turned out to be the opposite. As we biked down the street, I found myself on the right side, him on the left, shouting across the street at me trying to continue the conversation as cars passed between us. We played leap frog at stoplights. I would stop, he would coast through and then stop a block or two down when he realized I wasn’t behind him. Once when I caught up to him he said “I don’t stop at stoplights at night. It’s ridiculous.” Then he circled around, zig zagged a bit and took a left on a red light dodging a car. I just sat at the light and watched him go.
New policy. Bike with your date before you make up your mind.
Yeah, the bicycle riders that don’t stop for red lights and stop signs kinda hack me off too. Especially when I stop and they don’t on a group ride…
Good advice. Avoiding those with a death-wish will likely lead to a healthier relationship, platonic or otherwise.
Actually I think this illustrates a difference between men and women. Men are more prone to risky behaviour, and women are more cautious. This is one reason for the general gender imbalance amongst urban bicyclists. Most are men.
I personally follow traffic signals more at night, and less during the day. I follow them at busy intersections. I also don’t have health coverage. <– this is a biggie.
I agree with Dave. Men are simply far less risk averse. At the same time though, I think he deployed bad date etiquette. I would ride right alongside a girl if I liked her and save my crazy riding for when I’m by myself.
You have a very good point. I would dial it down.
#learnedsomethingnew
I do live under a rock; I didn’t know there was a gender division for who follows rules vs takes risks. I’m a guy and I follow the rules. I just don’t always slow to zero at stop signs when I don’t see or hear cars coming lol.