Mostly I don't stand out in a crowd. People don't hate me. I'm not very tall, or particularly noteworthy to look at in any way. But there's one thing I do every day that makes people hate me. Viscerally, and sometimes expressively and violently...
I can walk down any street in the UK and not stand out. There aren't no-go zones for white folk here in the UK, there aren't really 'no go zones' at all. If I talk to people, I've a Geordie accent. No one hates Geordies...
...in fact typically people smile and are immediately happy to hear a Geordie. Many surveys have shown it to be considered the most friendly and trustworthy accent...
Outside of the North East if I go to a shop as often as, roughly, twice, they'll remember me. That Geordie bloke and thats enough to become friendly and usually kind. But even with that, there's one activity I take part in that will make some of them actually desire to assault me
Literally all I have to do is get on a bike. Its enough for some people to yell abuse at me. To drive their cars -at- me. To ram me from behind in the hope I'll be bullied off the road...
They'll chase me down side streets shouting 'paedophile'. Throw things at me. Yell extended abusive rants. Because I'm on a bike, on the road...
Is it every day? No. Is it often enough that its upsetting? Yes. Is it justifiable, in any way, at any point? Please, if you're asking that question, you haven't been paying attention...
If you rain hate down on cyclists - online, in real life, anywhere, then you're part of that problem. You're creating the environment where you're telling more serious offenders that you've got their back if they choose to take it further...
...don't be part of that. Don't be that person. Someone riding a bike isn't commenting on your journey, on you personally, on your choices. They're not ignoring a cycle lane to be objectionable, if they aren't using it, thats because its terrible. Trust me...
...they're not weaving in and out of traffic to tell you you're wrong to be in a car. They're just trying to get home to their loved ones. If that offends you, it isn't because of anything from those cyclists. Its all about you. It doesn't reflect on them in any way. Only on you.
There is no point at which yelling abuse, threats, or driving dangerously or aggressively around cyclists is justifiable based on anything they do. Never. Don't do it. Don't be that person. Don't even give that behaviour cover with bad jokes. Be a better person. Be bigger.
