Let's stop the divisions within cycling (with Peter Flax)

(Cycling has, for a long time, been divided by some imaginary barriers. Barriers that separate road cyclists and mountain bikers and BMXers and wheelie kids and cargo bike moms. But in his new book Live to Ride, longtime cycling journalist Peter Flax makes the case that it's time we move past these imaginary divides and together embrace the things we all love about cycling.

0:00 Introduction
0:43 Peter Flax talks about his cycling identity
1:20 How ascending a bike pyramid can be great, unless...
2:33 How divisions between cyclists grew
3:32 How Peter's cycling life changed
5:32 "Everyone who rides is on your team"
6:16 The beauty in cycling's diversity

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[Shifter_Cycling]

What do you think? Do these divisions between different types of cyclists exist where you live?

[-NateTheGreat]

In my area for every 1 cyclist on the road there are about 3000 cars. Bickering between bike riders is really splitting a hair. Need to band together and look out for each other on the road. The odds are stacked against us.

[notlt]

i have to admit, as a commuter cyclist who does this everyday and gets to see all the different types of bikers, i get really happy when we can get together and do stuff like bike rolls or fun bike related events.

[elizabethraworth]

I am working on a "no car grannie who does all grocery shopping for the family" pyramid. So much fun ! Its aweful to have any negative attitude toward any cycler.

[woodywoodverchecker]

A couple of weeks ago, I helped a bike traveller couple from overseas to fix a flat tire. I have to say, it felt even better _because_ we were so different.

[Screech]

I got into cycling intending on being a commuter. Turns out I really like working on bikes and am now training to be a bike mechanic, and I've developed a bit of a roadie tendency. I recently finished building a solid commuter build and this pyramid concept really helps describe the difference. When I'm on that thing, I'm not performing, improving, competing, it's instead entirely practical, and "falling off the pyramid" was a great way to describe it. Thanks for this one!

[Frostbiker]

I used to be in a career pyramid, so I can relate to the feeling of freedom and relief that came from leaving it behind. There is also a sense of loss and even pity for the people still caught in it. Sometimes we put other people down to feel better about ourselves, but it is a fragile and unkind approach. Live and let live.

[keithbuddrige]

I've seen this with the e-bike boom, cyclists who ride non-powered bikes seem to go tribal and treat e-bike rides almost how the WW2 veterans treated the Vietnam Vets (oh and I am a Veteran btw) however the reality is the e-bike riders may not have been able to get out on the road without the assist the e-bike provides.
They are still out and riding ... they are enjoying the area as much as the traditionalist cyclist does ...
They assume the same level of risks and they ARE OFF THE COUCH ...
It's time to put aside the pettiness (and yes, I've been through that phase) and enjoy our bike.
Also, more folks cycling will ensure we can get safer infrastructure for our cycling communities ...
Great video, please keep the awesome content coming.

[BoulderHikerBoy]

I kinda teared up at the end of this one. An important message, a beautiful message, and, really, a call to unite as vulnerable road users.

[mx]

Yup. I was on the pyramid until I realized that I am on a bike and I can go anywhere at any time, and it changed my way of riding because I am more open to conversation with other bike riders and more interested and willing to share with others. I ride more consciously and know when to push and when to just relax and enjoy my surroundings more. So thanks for this video because it is super important if we want to move forward and create a more sustainable future in cities such as Los Angeles, where I live and bike every day.

[kathryngarcia]

Oh, I love this! Paused the video to order the book!!!

[bearclaw]

I love the message of this video! We all ride bikes just because we love to. I mostly use my bike to commute, get errands done, and get around town. But I love to go fast like a roadie and go on adventures like a trail rider. There's no reason to separate us all. We gotta all stand together like you said!

[MrPharmageek]

I ride an ancient rigid mountain bike with a trailer for school drop off, a goofy frankensteined hybrid for commutes to the train station, and wear ALL the lycra when I throw a leg over my fancy road bike. And i enjoy and respect all of these styles. More power to those who ride, whatever, wherever.

[NickCombs]

This doesn't have much to do with the video, but I just learned my city is building a multi-use path along the only stretch of highway 101 into town from my neighborhood. It's surprisingly emotional for me. Not only will it be more convenient to go out since I don't drive, but it could literally save my life. That highway is dangerous with a steep slope, no shoulder, and huge logging trucks. They just had sharrows on it.

[test]

breaking down silos isn't just corporate speak. it promotes solidarity in common good and lowers barriers to the timid...just because you are alone on your ride, you are not alone. Thanks!

[Tom-bpno]

Interesting piece. I do think the commonality of the everyday bicycle in the Netherlands has helped build a large tribe with strength in numbers.

[reecedawson]

Anyone on a bike is a good person just ride your bike guys

[drmontreal]

My main comment is "Amen." From a one time road racer (briefly, I wasn't so into masochism as it turned out), lots of long distance bike touring in Canada, Europe, and India, but mostly daily rides in my quotidian... now I'm 72 with shot knees on an e-bike and enjoying it just as much. The one last category of "bicycle" I rather look askance at are those e-scooters pretending to be a bicycle with a gratuitous (apparently?) pair of miniature cranks and pedals, rarely used. They make me think of those tiny front arms on a T-Rex. ;) I'll get over that I'm sure, give me time. ;)

[mattpujol]

I so much agree with this. E bikes are the latest splinter. I tell the e bike haters that, if you live long enough, odds are an e bike is in your future. I met a guy with an e trike. I was thrilled that he was riding. My personal pyramid moment was deciding not to ride with a speedometer on my handlebars. I still track my rides with Strava, but I don't watch the numbers in the moment - I live cycling in those moments. I rode however it feels good. The interesting thing is my fitness didn't suffer, just the opposite. I'm beating PRs I set a decade ago...the real benefit is mental fitness has increased by leaps and bounds.
Again...thanks for this!!!

[jeanschyso]

To your question, I think about my cycling as a thing I do to go places in my town. There is no summit to reach. It's just something I do and I don't understand the concept of "getting better at commuting". Sure some people do bike sports, but I'm over 300 pounds dude. People around me say that it's so amazing that I'm cycling, but like.. really.. It's easier than walking because of how fat I am.