4 ms·
> constantly running red lights themselves A motorist runs a red light, it's one stupid motorist. A pedestrian crosses a road dangerously, it's one stupid pede
by m0nty 8y ago
> constantly running red lights themselves
A motorist runs a red light, it's one stupid motorist. A pedestrian crosses a road dangerously, it's one stupid pedestrian. A cyclist runs a red light, it's all cyclists. I have no idea how that works.
- pja 8y agoIt's a classic example of in group / out group thinking: Cyclists are the out group, so any action of one of them is perceived as representative of the whole group. In group members are perceived differently - wrongful actions are perceived as the individual's responsibility and are not extended to the group as a whole.
- m0nty 8y agoIt's strange how cyclists have become an outgroup though. Carlton Reid ("Roads Were Not Made for Cars") suggests it goes all the way back to the 1880s and reckless young men on "pennies". Still one of the common criticisms is "young hoodlums on bikes terrorising the neighbourhood". At least that distinction implies it's not all cyclists, just the "hoodlum" variety.
- Tomte 8y agoIt works the same in the other direction. Cyclists also generalize about all car drivers. It‘s a human tendency to extract patterns from singular, highly emotive situations.