why people think that bike riders are homeless

[mupedalpusher]

Last summer our neighbor (nice, but nosey) asked me if my husband was still working in Jeff City (he commutes 30 miles south of Columbia). I told him yes and he then proceeded to tell me that one of the other neighbors had told him that I was having to ride my bike to town each day because my hubby had lost his job! I nearly fell over laughing at his assumption that I ride because I can't afford gas. He then asked me why do I ride 9 miles to work, followed by the "how dangerous it is lecture". OMG...some people just don't get it. The neighbor that started the rumor isn't quite 100%, we've noticed he seems to be having some memory issues, but I still find it very funny. We moved to the edge of town so we could have 5 acres and a little more privacy, but 6/10 homes in our subdivision are retired and home all day so they spend their time watching us do all of our bizarre activities like biking and running. Don't get me wrong, they are all nice folks and it makes for a quiet neighborhood but I do get tired of being watched. I am planning my "destitute commute" again tomorrow, hope they are all watching.

[SouthernBelle]

My subdivision seems to be evenly divided between younger couples with small children and retirees. I am a source of fascination for the little kids and the older folks are, I guess, dumbfounded.

[GLC1968]

We moved to the edge of town so we could have 5 acres and a little more privacy, but 6/10 homes in our subdivision are retired and home all day so they spend their time watching us do all of our bizarre activities like biking and running.

We just put in a offer on a home that is about 16 - 17 miles from our places of work (we work fairly close to each other) so that we could also get about 5 acres. Our realtor knew we wanted to be able to bike to work, so she kept sending us info on homes that were much closer to our offices but that weren't really what we wanted. When we asked to see this place again, she was like "but you can't bike to work from there!". Yes we can. In fact, after having only a 1.5 mile commute for the past few weeks, I'm looking forward to having a longer one! (assuming our offer gets accepted)

It's just such an incomprehensible thing to so many people. I was trying to help a friend come up with ways to save gas and when I suggested biking to work, she flipped. "But we live in the country!". Yeah, she lives less than 10 miles from where she works.

[Melalvai]

We just put in a offer on a home that is about 16 - 17 miles from our places of work (we work fairly close to each other) so that we could also get about 5 acres. Our realtor knew we wanted to be able to bike to work, so she kept sending us info on homes that were much closer to our offices but that weren't really what we wanted. When we asked to see this place again, she was like "but you can't bike to work from there!". Yes we can. In fact, after having only a 1.5 mile commute for the past few weeks, I'm looking forward to having a longer one! (assuming our offer gets accepted)

It's just such an incomprehensible thing to so many people. I was trying to help a friend come up with ways to save gas and when I suggested biking to work, she flipped. "But we live in the country!". Yeah, she lives less than 10 miles from where she works.

Depending on wind, weight of bike, fitness, that's a 1 to 1.5 hr commute. How many people think nothing of making that long a commute in a car!

[Tri Girl]

That's funny about what your realtor said. You can't ride THAT far, you silly woman.

And the Road ID ankle bracelet one. I'm going to have to remember that next time. Except I can't really say that to people at work, or I might get into trouble (I teach elementary school- they wouldn't find that funny).

And most people would think nothing of an hour or so commute. For me (and you ladies, too), I'd much rather be on my bike for 2-4 hours a day, than spend half that time sitting in my stupid car getting angry at the gridlock and frustrated at all the stupid highway drivers. I can't wait for the weather to be in permanent spring mode so I can get out there again!

[abvnx]

a few days ago my mother told me- "that given the price of gas it almost makes more sense to bike to work." since she works only a few blocks from i suggested that it was far more reasonable to bike than drive. she said that she fell off her bike once as a kid and would need a big tricycle.

then again she thought my husband was nuts for biking the 1/2 mile to his old office.

[OakLeaf]

she fell off her bike once as a kid and would need a big tricycle.

Plenty of high-end adult trikes available...

actually I've looked at them myself as commuter vehicles, as it seems they have more easily available cargo capacity than two-wheelers.

[Dianyla]

I've actually seen a lot of homeless people using bicycles. I personally think it's a great idea. I mean, it's got to suck enough to be homeless, at least this way they are relatively mobile and can cover a larger area to scavenge their way through daily life. There are even some community efforts here in Portland to help homeless people keep their bikes safe and working.

But back to the whole point of this thread... yeah. Lots of people tend to assume you're either poor or you've had your driver's license suspended and that's why you're "forced" to bike instead of drive.

[Geonz]

One of the side effects of riding an Xtracycle is that it flagrantly flings me out of people's "categories" for bike riders. It's something I obviously bought on purpose to make the bike useful for errands - I'm not "making do" with a bike 'til I can figure out something better.