More deficient?: cycling lifestyle

[shootingstar]

A work colleague has suggested in several ways to me that:
*he hates cyclists (He said this clearly to me. I just smiled at him: I know.)
*feels I lead a more deficient life because:
a) I don't our local road system and things general, because I don't use it extensively. Cyclists more by the river or in mini valley area where there are bike routes

b) I can't get around fast/efficiently.


For a), I feel I'm seeing the better part of the city where there is Nature vs. horrible urban sprawl and lack of lots of green trees/vegetation. Generally by car, it's not pretty. More drab, abit dry. That' why locals escape to the Rocky Mtns. 100+ km north. There aren't many scenic areas in the city.

b) For him, it was to just get around quickly (He and his GF don't have any children.) Actually for him, it was to get to and from his favourite squash club.. He does go to the mountains several times per month to do kite-surfing, hiking, skiing --all good.

If I really need to get around efficiently in a pinch, we take a taxi...that amounts to less than 2-3 times annually. I use the transit rail --once a month or less. I chose to live within 2 km. of services and shops that I need. What more do I need?

So my life is tooling around in the more scenic, quieter areas in a city of 1 million. Is that so horrible? I don't care to know other parts --most of it is urban residential sprawl and large shopping malls with chain stores.


He works 10 ft. away from me daily. So we get along but I know my lifestyle puzzles him. He's lived his whole life in the prairies so far and can't stand higher density living.

[pll]

I vote for ignoring him. I will guess that he does not care about sustainability. Just tell him you enjoy your time on the bike and walking. And you can drive whenever you are so inclined -- it is your choice, not an obligation.

[skhill]

Again, what a putz.

How are your transportation preferences any business of his, anyway?

And as far as "efficient/fast" go, my experience is that if you count in parking issues, going by bike is faster to most downtown locations here in my city for me, door-to-door, not to mention cheaper. In other words, both faster and more efficient.

[shootingstar]

I can see from a habitual car driver's perspective my life "looks" more limited because I can't go farther, faster to places out of town. But I really don't feel life hasn't been rich enough in experiences so far even after being car-free for 30 years because during this same time:

*I've lived in 4 different cities across 3 provinces. (6 if I go further back to include car years.)
*Travelled in every province, except for Newfoundland, Yukon and Northwest Territories
*Travelled in the U.S. for: Washington state (several times), New England states (several times), California, New Mexico and Hawaii (twice). Of all these multiple trips, we've rented a car that amounted to a total of: 1 wk. Rest was a combination of rail, bike, bus and transit.
*Travelled in Europe (3 times),probably a total of 15 different countries. NO car rental. Might have taken taxi less than 10 times, usually to get to local airport/rail station from an awkward place. Did Europe by: rail, bike, bus, local ferry, hiking /walking.

*It does help to naturally know a 2nd language/culture in a dim way (My mother tongue, so I don't feel my life isn't rich enough../world is too narrow by staying in 1 town/city for my whole life.)

[smilingcat]

Wow!! how hostile! How is it his business in how you want to live? And who gave him the authority to judge your lifestyle?

Yes what a putz!

Hit the ignore button and give him a big "L"

I guess he wants to support Al Quida by using all that gas from Middle East.

[Melalvai]

I hope he's just clueless and not really hostile. Eventually he'll get used to your way of life and realize that you aren't missing out. I can just about guarantee that at some point he'll think about taking a bike ride some place and he'll ask you some questions about it.

I love it when that happens but the hard part for me is not in overwhelming them with information. In my mind it's all tiny details but some of the tiny details are more important than others.

[shootingstar]

I hope he's just clueless and not really hostile. Eventually he'll get used to your way of life and realize that you aren't missing out. I can just about guarantee that at some point he'll think about taking a bike ride some place and he'll ask you some questions about it.

I love it when that happens but the hard part for me is not in overwhelming them with information. In my mind it's all tiny details but some of the tiny details are more important than others.

He did cycle over 10 years ago but I understand he hurt his back. Anyway, after recovery he was interested in other sports. I think he respects the fact that I do cycle often as long as it's not icy, etc.

In the past and now, even when I was volunteering regularily for cycling organizations in the past, I never really talked much at length the benefits of cycling or whatever. It was more about the trips I did in general. Then people see me often enough leaving and coming to the office in my cycling gear or occasionally see me cycling near workplace.

To me, it is enough of a message to them. Probably the clearest benefit they can see -- is how well (in their eyes) have managed my weight at my age. (Yes, this same employee jokingly thinks I'm too thin. I think he has skewed perception...but anyway.)