Cyclists are liberals?! (Retry)

[Crankin]

Kfergos I find it interesting you got that comment. I've heard it, too, although it was a couple of years ago. Maybe it's particular to this area?
I'm a Democrat, a liberal who is on the moderate side, and I don't care who knows my political preferences!

[Tri Girl]

Here's my thoughts, for what they're worth (not much).

I think cyclists may get deemed liberal because we ride, which is environmentally friendly, and people associate that with hippies and liberals. I don't know why. I say this as experience of what I know where I live (Oklahoma). I live in a VERY conservative place. I get called "hippie" a lot by my DH's family and by co-workers (who are very conservative- it's meant to be deroggatory). I embrace my hippiness, because it means I care about others and the environment and want the world to be a more accepting, loving, happy, place (not that conservatives don't want those things, too).

Why liberal is a negative term, I don't know. I take it as a compliment. My friend and I call each other "hip" and "lib" as nicknames because we're called that by others who mean it to be negative. We think it's a good thing.
I don't know... interesting topic, tho.

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

Interesting topic indeed.


Just as a note... just as often as "liberal" may be deemed derogatory..I think "conservative" is used that way also.

I try to steer clear of political discussions since usually there is no ground to be successfully agreed upon. People have their opinions and that's not for anyone else to say is wrong (though they do - ha).

[kfergos]

Alas, I couldn't do every single combination of political leaning. I think the American system, at least, could be revamped significantly for some major improvements. For example, why not be able to vote for ANY candidate in ANY election?

I think cyclists may get deemed liberal because we ride, which is environmentally friendly, and people associate that with hippies and liberals.

I think this must be it, although I never would've thought that for recreational cyclists. I was originally thinking that there are plenty of conservative businessmen (for instance) who buy super-expensive bikes but would classify themselves as conservative. Maybe if you asked people who mainly commuted to work on bike, the demographic would be different. It seemed like why would mainly recreational cyclists have a higher liberal population than conservative? But maybe more conservative people ride ATVs or snowmobiles or go hunting or something (to pick a few probably wildly inaccurate stereotypes), and leave the enjoying the outdoors by person-power to liberals?

Makes you wonder about other sports, too... Running? Swimming? Water polo?

[Mr. Bloom]

I was originally thinking that there are plenty of conservative businessmen (for instance) who buy super-expensive bikes but would classify themselves as conservative.

I resemble that remark

But, I believe that at the core of all widespread conservation lies an economic justification, not a political leaning.

Using this as simply one issue, I support energy conservation because I believe it's in our national interests...in fact, I support higher energy prices to create the stimulus to change behavior. Some might find my support of 'free markets' unconscionable, but our objective is the same even if our means to the end are different...

So, this is why I dislike political labels...and try to avoid characterizing people based on them.

I believe in the US, they're called Libertarians (although the Libertarian party is probably more socially liberal.)

I definitely don't resemble that remark

[Crankin]

Well, thinking about some of the comments my husband and son used to get while riding (always from guys in pick ups) maybe cyclists are perceived as liberals because the males aren't afraid to wear lycra? I mean, this is a big thing for some. Of course, my husband gets made fun of for wearing capris and having a polka dot umbrella by some of the sales guys at his company. According to him, they are the only conservatives there.

[VeloVT]

Yeah Crankin, at the time we thought that the Lycra might have something to do with it too, unfortunately. He was riding in front, and I am not well endowed/do not have long hair, and might have been mistaken for a boy at a passing glance, with helmet, sunglasses etc.

I wish people were not so hateful.

[Aggie_Ama]

My car is a confusing one to label. I have a "Please be kind to cyclists" bumper sticker automatically labeling me as a liberal to many, yes I have exactly that yelled at me while riding. I have also been called a tree hugging hippie but I like trees and when mountain biking I even hug them some. I don't think I am a hippie but they seem okay so I guess I could be called worse!

Then I have a "Texas A&M Association of Former Students Century Club Member" sticker. A&M is known as the most conservative (or if you talk those hippies in Austin- redneck) public school in Texas. For pete's sake George Bush (the first one) chose to put his library there. So what am I?