CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Debate!
“Why are female cyclists targeted by aggressive drivers for abuse?“
(16 posts)-
Posted 5 years ago #
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Without even reading the article I could answer that question. A lot of it is to do with how some men react to women taking up space in public - plus the way so many men feel an entitlement to publicly commentate on women's choices / bodies / clothes or to offer unsolicited "advice".
Anyway - ladies, prepare your comment bingo cards.
Posted 5 years ago # -
My favourite so far, "it's not about gender, it's about road speed."
have to say, most of the comments i've seen from men have been in agreement.
Posted 5 years ago # -
The article does cite research from 2015 into close passes. Uni of Westminster - women twice as likely to experience close passes.
I am about to start wearing the jersey that attracts the second largest amount of abuse. The pink one. Hi viz, hi abuse
Posted 5 years ago # -
Nonono we're getting it all wrong. According to A Random Man on the Women's Cycle Forum (the clue is in the name, dude) Facebook group, this article is part of the Guardian-led conspiracy to put women off cycling so it can sell more car advertising.
Posted 5 years ago # -
Beats - beats - beats. Pause - [robotic voiced] BONKERS
Posted 5 years ago # -
@sallyhinch he was very "No ladies, they are FOOLING you. Allow me to enlighten you with my special insights."
Posted 5 years ago # -
You know, I don't even think it was that deliberate. It was more 'my brain has farted and I must release the output regardless of where I am or whose conversation I am interrupting'.
Posted 5 years ago # -
Male driver:- Nice legs, darlin'
Female cyclist:- Stooge of the advertising/industrial complexPosted 5 years ago # -
Surely the reason is that men think there's less chance of getting battered if they insult women?
Simple cowardice.
Posted 5 years ago # -
@IWRATS - Partly that, partly some men do think they have a right to comment on women - telling them to cheer up etc, as well as remarks on their bodies. When I was young and got the "cheer up" it used to p*** me off as I would be thinking about the cold war and possible nuclear engagement.
Posted 5 years ago # -
To my mind, otherwise law abiding motorists, are a lot closer to the edge these days. I'm surprised that so many of them are still alive as thier blood pressure must be through the roof.
Perhaps I am particularly unlikable, but I can manage to trigger a driver with no effort whatsoever and clothing doesn't appear to matter: Suits, casual, hi-vis all illicit similar levels of abuse.
Yesterday, I managed to trigger a chap to shout sweary words at me when we passed each other after waiting for a green light at a junction even though we were going in opposite directions without any prior interaction nor influence on thier journey.
The other week I triggered a driver to leave his car in full-on road-rage mode with an almost imperceptable shake of my head.
I consider it to be my super-power.
Posted 5 years ago # -
Simple cowardice.
I think it's a bit more complicated than that...
Posted 5 years ago # -
Indeed. The thought I was trying to articulate is that some men probably want to shout at everyone but self-censor with other men out of fear of getting paneled.
Posted 5 years ago # -
A few years ago an Australian friend spent a couple of weeks with her relatives in Curriehill. I remember she commented that here she was able to go for a run without being harassed/shouted at by passing men and how great that was. She said back in Sydney she was shouted/honked at very often when running.
I may be lucky but I didn't really get harassed in any of the countries where I resided and don't get harassed in Scotland either. I have three regular drivers with whom we exchange cheery waves in the mornings and that overshadows any odd honk I get.
Posted 5 years ago # -
I suspect that being on a bike tips the power balance even further away from the weaker party. Let's face it: As a middle aged male I have received aggressive abuse from female drivers in a way that would be inconceivable if we were both on foot in the street.
Posted 5 years ago #
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