Wrap Up of Risk and Perception of Cars, Bicyclists, and Pedestrians
- Catie Willett
- Sep 21, 2016
- 2 min read
After reading through the previous articles and writing several blog posts about how our society perceives risk, particularly in situations related to cars, cycling, or walking, I think it is just fascinating how many outlets there are for pro-biking individuals to gather and share information, stories, and opinions.
The majority of the readings I've written about in the blog series have been focused on pro-cycling and putting cars as the "bad guys". However, like most things, I like to see both perspectives. There are clearly many websites and facts about why bicycling is positive, and many revolve around the same message. Bicycling is good because...
It's better for the environment
It's better for your health
It's convient
It's therapeutic
Why the hell not?
And although I view all of these facts and opinions as valid, I would also like to hear from those who are anti-bicycling. Do they refute these positions? Do they have valid reasons as well? Is this just bias from the cyclists and I should actually disagree? I was curious so I took to the Internet and searched what any anti-cyclist would, "I hate bikers". This is what I got:

I decided to read the first article and found that, no, they do not refute these claims most of the time. Particularly in the first link I clicked on, whose URL is ihatebicyclists.com, was a particularly bitter individuals who appeared to have a problem with everything. Most of their claims were not grounded in fact, but opinion and with a unique perception.
Ultimately, from reading these past few articles, I found that there is a lot of hate toward cyclists and that there is a major divide between those who bike and those who do not. What is most interesting is that this divide is very passionate, you either hate cyclists or you love them. There is no in between. And although I tried to be an educated citizen who understands both sides of an argument, I found that mostly the articles I read prior were much more informed and educated; while the anti-biking articles were not. It appeared that I had gone from reading CNN to Fox News, what was once news grounded in facts had turned to violent opinions grounded in nothing but hot air.
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