this post was submitted on 19 Sep 2023
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urbanism
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I think there was a study a few years ago that found drivers are more careful around people who don't wear as much safety equipment. I can see if I can find it late, but I get the impression that driver perception does change depending how you look.
Although I feel like it's the opposite of your experience. If seen several single-speed/messanger/delivery bikes get cut off aggressively by drivers turning corners. Fewer regular bikes although I've seen some crazy near misses of people riding bike-share bikes.
I mean I always wear a helmet. A lot more decked out in neon-ish gear if I'm touring because that's just my sport clothes but that seems like a non-variable here
Now that might be down to location, there really isn't a singlespeed / messenger / fixie-scene where I live at all. Could be that the cultural perception then is not one of rage against those darn people but more of "oh shit that guy looks comparatively dangerous" or something. Like the other way would be that everybody really appreciates an old singlespeed and I REALLY doubt that's it
Stop wearing the helmet according to this study.
https://psyarxiv.com/nxw2k
I think the best option is to be visible but also plain-clothes and a more upright cruiser geometry. Also trying to make eye contact can also help if practical.
Drivers' perception is fickle but statistical significant factor.
Oh that was the study I was thinking of.
I was searching and also found this one, also more about cyclists in general rather than cyclists type.
https://usa.streetsblog.org/2019/03/28/study-aggressive-driving-is-linked-to-seeing-cyclists-as-less-than-human
It's anecdotal but I often cycle on sort of narrow country roads or fire roads and the most surefire way to get cardrivers approaching from the front or back to reduce speed and give you more space is to look like an absolute amateur at riding a bike. Especially from the front I can often see someone braking the exact moment I start wobbling my bike over the road