Taking up Space . . . on a Bicycle

Apparently. . . existing on a bike is some sort of crime.

Edit to add details: 9/2/24

I recently got a new bike and. . . I'm not gonna lie, it's been one of the highlights of my summer. The thing is. . . and this is NOT a new thing. . . I seem to draw the ire of a lot of people when I'm on my bike. I seriously don't know why this is a problem I have. I've given it a lot of thought. I don't ride in the middle of the lane, I don't weave around, I know how to signal my turns, I don't cut people off. . . basically, I'm courteous. But that doesn't stop the pheromonic draw I seem to have for every jackwagon on the effing planet from making some kind of commentary during almost every ride I take. In the past two days, these things have happened:

1. I signal and change lanes on a four lane road in town because I have to turn left onto my street. Some dude comes up CLOSE ENOUGH TO TOUCH ME (which he does, right on my leg!!!) and starts screaming at me to get into the right hand lane AS I'M trying to turn! He scared the crap out of me. And. . . before anyone can ask, I did not cut anyone off. I changed lanes about 1/2 a block from my turn and no one was behind me in either lane at that point so. . . I'm guessing he turned onto the main road from a side street or drove up really fast from further off.

2. As I was riding home from an errand, I go by the Dairy Queen which is right before my street. These 5 guys are standing on the sidewalk and they are screaming at me to get off the road and use the bike trail. I'm, literally 20 yards from my turn onto my street. The shouting man-babies were screaming obscenities so, for the first time EVER I called the cops (for a non emergency) when I got home. There was no way I was going to stop right then and there. I'm not sure what they were so pressed about. I was the only person on the road at the time.

Since I've moved to Green Bay (perhaps one of the most bike UNfriendly places in our area), here is a small sampling of the foolishness I've experienced over time:

• "Get off the road fat-ass."

• "I'm calling the cops, you bitch. Get off the road."

• People making mooing sounds as they pass me.

• People coming right up behind me and laying on the horn (usually they have plenty of room to just scootch over a bit).

• People who drive by, gesture, and shout something rude.

• Once a person--from the oncoming lane--swerved on purpose and laughed their ass off as I almost crashed.

• And many, many, MANY nasty comments.

The thing that really hacks me off about this is that when I tell others about it I'm met with comments of disbelief, eyerolls, and "that doesn't happen to me" commentary. Please don't gaslight my experience just because it isn't yours.

I don't know WHY people are rude to me on my bike. Maybe it's because I don't "look" like a person who would ride a bike (Read: being an active, fat person is not the same experience as an active, thin person. I have decades of experience with this. I'm mostly used to it but it still rankles sometimes. And, if we're being honest, I shouldn't have to be "used to it." People should leave me the fuck alone and let me enjoy my activities in peace.) . Maybe it's because I ride a city bike and not something sporty. Maybe it's because I'm older. Maybe it's because I'm a woman. Maybe it's because I don't ride on the sidewalk (which, incidentally, isn't legal). I cannot figure it out but I sure as shit wouldn't make up something this unpleasant. My favorite middle child says, "Well, we all know people are assholes to fat people, women, and old people so. . . you are pretty much doomed." I think that's him trying to be supportive in his very strange way but. . . . ooof.

I DO keep talking about it though and here's why. . . . no one has the right to steal joy from other people who are just going about their business and who aren't hurting anyone. There's absolutely no justification for this level of rude behavior toward anyone. And. . . in terms of people taking up space on bicycles. . . the rude behaviors can also be dangerous. Honking at people might frighten them into the middle of a lane or cause them to crash. There's ZERO excuse for reaching out and touching a cyclist as they ride on the street. I'm not sure how to get the word out but. . . I think that's something I'm going to have to start working on if I want to keep riding my bike around town. My initial thought is to reach out to community leaders in Green Bay, Allouez, and DePere to suggest some sort of re-education campaign. I don't know if that will get me anywhere but it's a starting point. I've already talked to one of the bike shop owners who I've known for a long time but their whole thing is more about sporty, fitness riding and not daily commuting or riding for transport.