We're Alcoholics on Bikes, Apparently

[kfergos]

The other day I was chatting with a guy as I got my bike ready for my ride home. I was in my bike clothes. He commented: "You know, when I see people on bikes in normal clothes, not wearing lycra, I always think they're alcoholics." I said something inane and escaped. ?!?!

So people, if you wear your jeans while riding, watch out -- apparently only alcoholics do that. Presumably because they don't have driver's licenses? Or can't afford a car?

[maillotpois]

Maybe because of license suspensions.

I think you can still get arrested for DUI on a bike....

[shootingstar]

Then a ton of people who cycle in Europe wearing ordinary clothes must be abit boozed. Over there, it's less cycling folks in cycling lycra and helmets.

[SouthernBelle]

In most states in the US, conviction of DUI is an automatic loss of license. Thus you see a lot of people on bikes who are doing so for that reason. There are people who I see on bikes who I know are riding them for that exact reason.

There are others I wonder about.

[alpinerabbit]

There will be a day when this guy is wrong, when loads of people ride. Just think 10$ per gallon.

[mimitabby]

I think generalizing that they are drunks because they wearing jeans and not lycra is pretty weak.
The drunks on bikes that i have seen generally look like they've lived a very hard life. the jeans are just a very small detail.
They're easy to pick out, a lot of times they are smoking a cigarette as they go down the road, or they are riding in the rain wearing a jeans jacket and getting drenched. You know they are not pleasure riders who would either stay home in that kind of weather or would have wet weather gear.


they also generally ride without helmets and lights and wear dark clothing. They are who i consider the invisible bicyclists because they are part of the bicycling population but they have no voice.

[Blueberry]

Maybe because of license suspensions.

I think you can still get arrested for DUI on a bike....

Definitely true here - they just changed the law in January. Of course, the cops never enforce it. But they could.

CA

[coyote]

Most alcholics I know wouldn't let a little thing like not having a license stop them from driving a car.

[Irulan]

you don't know any sober alcoholics?

[coyote]

you don't know any sober alcoholics?

Depends on what time of day as to whether they are sober or not

[Skierchickie]

Youch! I know tons and tons of sober alcoholics (my DH, my best friend, .... and a zillion other people)! It's called recovery - alcoholism is a disease, and doesn't just go away. There are active alcoholics, and there are recovering alcoholics.

(steps down off soapbox and apologizes for ranting)

The same assumptions about bikers go around here, too, as well as people riding scooters. It couldn't possibly just be about exercise, fresh air, and being environmentally & fiscally responsible.

[mimitabby]

and some of them are still drinking but can't afford to drive a car anymore...

[Zen]

I'm drunk right now.

[imdeanna]

This reminded me of a Letter to the Editor in our local paper last week...

The guy was bad mouthing cyclist and complaining about those that don't follow the rules of the road....

(I think he was dissing those that wore biking wear???)


Here is a tid bit of what he said:

“I believe there is a difference between a commuter using a bike for transportation and grown men/women who wear matching silk skivvies”

[maillotpois]

I'm drunk right now.

Snort!