Are men bike snobs?

[BikeHN]

Actually zoom, I'm not talking about when I'm running and the men are on bikes...I'm talking about when were BOTH on the bikes. I don't care that cyclists don't acknowledge me when I'm running. I just thought you know, runners have a kind of comaraderie with other runners they pass, and I would think the same would be true of two cyclists passing. I'm glad I'm not the only one that notices this. I totally agree with you, its NOT just the 'spandex-clad "elites".'

[Eden]

........ its NOT just the 'spandex-clad "elites".'

I actually find the fact that people associate snobbery with spandex amusing. I race and I'm on a team - so I'm one of those..... as a group no we aren't the most likely to wave or be chatty. When we're riding as a team we don't necessarily want other folks getting into our group. We're generally out there to train. We're paying attention to our workout etc. *but* - team riders are also usually the first to stop and help out when there's someone with a problem - a flat, a crash. We tend to be prepared (lots of spare tubes, pumps, patches, co2), we're used to helping out one another and we have a lot of health care workers - my team alone has several PT's, a doctor, more than a few nurses.... (and of course unfortunately most of us have had some experience with a downed teammate, so we know some of the problems you run into trying to get medical aid to a crash.)

[GLC1968]

There are definitely regional differences.

When I lived and rode in NC, I didn't find much of a difference between men and women, but there was definitely a difference depending on which bike I was on. Road bike? Lots of attention/acknowledgement. Commuter? Not so much unless it was freezing or raining and then everyone was generally friendly.

Here in Oregon? Maybe it's because I've been ridng longer, or maybe it's because I see so many more cyclists on any given day, but honestly, everyone seems friendlier. I notice NO difference between men and women (though I do generally see more men than women) or no difference based on bike or my attire. I do notice that cyclists generally acknowledge each other more when in the country than in the city, but that just makes sense. There are tons of riders in the city. As others have said, if you were to acknowledge every single cyclist, you'd be a waving maniac or nodding so much you'd be constantly dizzy!

[jobob]

I often begin & end my rides on an 8 mile long bike path. Often times I'll see older ELDERLY cyclists, newbie cyclists, and families of cyclists on that path. I'll often smile at them if we're passing in opposite directions, or I'll call out a cheery good morning / afternoon if I'm passing them.

Part of that admittedly is for self-defense , so I know that they know I'm there, but it lifts my spirits as well.

I don't often acknowledge the experienced riders on the path, and once I'm out on the main road, I rarely acknowledge other riders unless I'm passing them.

I suppose I'm a reverse snob.

[PamNY]

Um, older cyclists? I have seen zero evidence that older cyclists are less safe. And I'm not just saying that because I'm 59. Possibly if people are old enough to be infirm or losing eyesight -- again, same as auto drivers -- age could be a factor.

Younger cyclists (as a group) are more dangerous for the same complex reasons that younger drivers are.

[jobob]

Um, older cyclists? I have seen zero evidence that older cyclists are less safe. And I'm not just saying that because I'm 59. Possibly if people are old enough to be infirm or losing eyesight -- again, same as auto drivers -- age could be a factor. .

Pam, I'm being cheery and supportive to people I see on the freakin' lousy bike path that might like a bit of cheer and support.

And no, I'm not talking about 59 year olds -- crap, my husband is 59 and I'm 50 -- I'm talking about the 80 plus year olds.

Good grief.

(any 80-year-olds care to chime in now?)

[PamNY]

Pam, I'm being cheery and supportive to people I see on the freakin' lousy bike path that might like a bit of cheer and support.

And no, I'm not talking about 59 year olds -- crap, my husband is 59 and I'm 50 -- I'm talking about the 80 plus year olds.

Good grief.

(any 80-year-olds care to chime in now?)

I think it's cool that you see 80-year-old cyclists. I see a few who I'd guess to be that age, but not many.