Quote:
Originally Posted by cabasse
maybe respect is the wrong word. just saying it takes balls
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Yes. And I think that's part of why some of the more hard core cyclists are against e-bikes and other measures that increase cycling participation. As someone who was strictly one of those super-fast, all weather, hard core cyclists for years before I added an ebike to the fleet, those kind of comments are a real ego boost. Yes cycling can be a hassle in some ways. Compared to people in cars and to a lesser extent transit, we're exposed to the elements, have to physically exert ourselves even when we're tired, be limited in how we dress because of spash-up and sweat, get helmet hair (depending on hairstyles), and of course face greater danger. So all the looks and comments of awe we receive really help offset that. Saving money, staying in shape and helping the environment helps a lot too, of course, but all the people saying they'd be too scared or wouldn't have the endurance makes you feel almost super human.
Yet if there are lots of other cyclists out there who aren't experiencing the same level of challenge, it makes cycling look a lot less impressive to the average observer. Unless you can easily tell an ebike from a regular bike when it's zipping past quickly then you won't know. An avid cyclist can usually tell (although there are some ebikes where the electronic components are well hidden) but non-cyclists often have no idea. So given your rareness as a hardcore cyclist combined with those sort of external comments and perceptions, cycling can become a part of one's identity and sense of self, and anything that threatens to erode or destroy that feels threatening.