5 versions of “I’m a cyclist too…”

The phrase “I’m a cyclist too…” is becoming a common defence of people who want to say silly things. Here we explore five types of people who say “I’m a cyclist too…”.

The point is that if you have a point it will stand up regardless of if you are a cyclist or not.

1. “I’m a cyclist too…” and I’m fine with the status quo

This person cycles, but they are fine with the status quo. When a cycle route upgrade is suggested you might hear them say something like: “I’m a cyclist too, but our roads are fine, just take the lane and it will be grand.”

If you ask: Would you let your children cycle to school? They often get a little flustered: “No, but… but…”

2. “I’m a cyclist too…” which is irrelevant to my poor driving

You tell a motorist, “you cut me off”, or “nearly ran into me,” or “passed me within inches”, or even “hit me”.

Their response is “I’m a cyclist too” as if that somehow excuses their poor driving. It doesn’t, not every a small bit. It’s about as relevant as hitting a pedestrian and saying “I’m a pedestrian too.”

3. “I’m a cyclist too… but what about the cars?”

Like the previous stereotypes, this person also cycles… at least some of the time.

But — and this a big but — they don’t understand how change works: That space for cycling on already built city and town streets mainly can only come from transferring it from cars to bicycles.

4. “I’m a cyclist too… I do a few 100km every weekend”

“Cycle to work? Me? No, I do a few 100km every weekend. I have the car to drive to work, why would I cycle?

Alternative version: “I’m a cyclist too…but I’d never cycle on the main roads. I just like cycling around parks or on a greenway in the summer.

 

5. “I’m a cyclist too…” but my bicycle is on a museum wall

“My bicycle is in the garden shed for so long that if I find it under all of the rubbish in the shed that I’m probably obliged to call the National Museum.”

Ok, so, nobody is going to say anything like this, but there are some people who very loosely say “I’m a cyclist too” when they have not cycled for years.

*****

Since you’re here anyways: Do you want better cycling route and more liveable streets? Please visit cyclingforall.ie.


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5 comments

  1. Absolutely brilliant list. I’ve heard about another 100 of those. The 100km Sunday cyclist that seems to want to run us over the rest of the week is very common. A bofoon said to me recently when I complained about the cost in puncture repairs, as a result of glass being swept out from Pub footpaths, especially around Bank Holiday weekends, right onto the cycle path. He said, “I’m a cyclist too, and I never get punctures”. I asked how often does he cycle and he said “Every year I do a charity cycle to Belfast”. BTW those Council “Road Sweeper” Lorry’ s just move the glass from the gutter right into our path in the cycle lanes. They don’t suck up the debris. Perhaps we collect all of our replacement tube receipts and hand them in, in one big mas protest, to DCC for refunds?

    Reply
  2. I´m a cyclist too, but I have a driving licence and adhere to the rules of the road, and don´t go through red lights.

    Reply
  3. @Marc
    So, are you saying that you cycle, but you also drive and when you drive you don’t break the law (in which case well done you!)? Or are you saying that cyclists (except, of course, your good self) do not adhere to the rules of the road and maybe should really require a drivers license to be able to cycle? Or is it maybe an attempt at irony (which would be ironic given that the article is actually about you)? I guess it may have made more sense in your head.

    Reply

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