I chose this webpage because it has comprehensive information on the lifestyle of a cyclist. I decided to focus my research on all the different aspects of cyclist lifestyle- not just the aspects of fixi culture. I find it extremely important that all cyclists have been looked at for this project because while it's true Desmond is probably more Fixi than not, his girlfriend may not be at all along with a high proportion of the cyclist lifestyle.
One of the ladies I work with rides her bike an hour to get to work and back everyday. I asked her about this project and what her thoughts were and I mentioned fixi. She actually had no idea what I was talking about even though I was sure she would have an idea considering how much she cycles.
I do agree that it was greatly beneficial to choose one main cyclist movement and it does fit Desmond. But I also think it's important to look at everything else so this is why I chose this webpage to look at and examine.
"There are important characteristics that cyclists (bike people, if you prefer) most always share: a love of adventure, a strong whiff of self-sufficiency (self-reliance), a strong desire for good healthy exercise, a love of Nature and the outdoors, and tendencies to 1) waste less, 2) pay less attention to money, 3) not worry about impressing others, and 4) seek the humble pleasures of life." (The Cyclist Lifestyle)
This quote really describes many cyclists I know, although perhaps not all. I'm sure many of these apply to Fixi culture as well. It's important to take these factors into consideration considering that we need to design something that really fits into those characteristics instead of just assuming what cyclists are like and not like.
This article "Subtle little Clues that indicate a True Cyclist" describes ways in which to find out who cyclists are by the way they dress as well as other characteristics.
"What kind of clothing is the person wearing? While we can't use cycling shorts and shirts as a clue, there are some other clothing details that often evade notice that are more informative. For instance, is the person wearing reflectorized leg bands? Because the things feel comfortable, I forget I have them on, so I end up wearing them at the store, along the street, even on the job. Key chains are another clue, for example, James Connell has a key fob made from a Campy shift lever, Matt Castelein has key chains made from "the peel-off bits of the bottom of [his] SPD shoes," and Tim Chamber's key chain is made of bike chain. A key holder or charm designed to look like a U-bolt is so ugly that only a true cyclist® like Steve Pells would have one. And Curtis L. Russell has a Campy dropout key ring and bottle opener with his bike keys. In addition, a male might wear a bicycle tie while on a date (Jim Quinn), and a female might wear necklace or bracelet with cycling charms (Jessica Mosher). A bike bag used as a purse (Ilana Stern) is a dead giveaway, if it really is a bike bag. But, wearing a mirror on the eyeglasses is absolutely unmistakable (Walt Knapp). " (The Cyclist Lifestyle)
This little quotes recognizes that cyclists sometimes wear what they wear on their bike around in everyday life. Although it does stereotype a little bit, it is evident that there is truth to it as I have seen people wearing their biking gear around. This directly applies to our project because we wanted to make a way for Desmond and possible consumers to not have to put it on and take it off everytime they got on or off their bikes to do something in their lives. In the daylight there is a black covering in order to hide the led wire that is sewn onto the main piece so that it looks like a belt or suspenders or a many number of things. Secondly, when the Elwire is turned on, it looks really neat- especially in the dark. And it definitely grabs attention meaning that people may ask questions about it.
"A very common myth is that the purpose of a light on a bicycle is to help the cyclist see better. Even manufacturers of the lights believe this myth, as they design lights with a narrow, bright beam, not visible from the side. When cyclists realize that they don't need these lights at night, due to street lights, scattered light, moonlight, or even starlight, they ride without them, and as a result, many get killed. The real purpose of a light on a bike at night is to be seen. Motorists aren't thinking about cyclists at night, and their eyes are blinded by glare and by looking into the headlights of other cars. While the cyclist can see everything, the motorists can't see the cyclist. To ride safely at night, be sure to have lights and reflectors on the front and rear of your bike that are visible from the sides as well, and pay careful attention to any motorists near you who may be drinking, drowsy, or inattentive." (The Cyclist Lifestyle)
This section comes from the part about cycling myths. Perhaps to me it is obvious that lights are meant for motorists, not cyclists, but apparently it may not be so obvious. However, it does show that safety is an issue that cyclists need to pay attention to. For the purpose of our project, we decided to use something tha lights up instead of reflecting as a means to get others to pay attention to the cyclist. We put the lighting on the person so that it is the person who is seen. If we had created a lighting system to put onto the bike, we believe and have tested that lighting on a bike is harder to see by motorists.
This all basically sums up cyclists as a whole and not necessarily reflects just one movement. I think the information provided is not necessarily completely accurate but makes us think about different aspects of cycling as a whole.
- “The Cyclist Lifestyle -- The Culture of Cycling Enthusiasts and Bike People,” http://www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/lifestyle/index.htm.
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