“Don’t you know that it’s different for girls?”

Harassment or heckling of cyclists by manic motorists on the roads of the world is a hot and seemingly inexhaustible topic in the cycling community.  Tragically, a number of these encounters result in injury or death of the cyclist.  For most, thankfully, the result of car vs. bike is more often an emotionally frustrating experience that drains a blissful bike ride of all its inherent joy.  The concerning part of that equation – and the reason why we all get in such a lather over these merely verbal taunts – is that any time an angry motorist veers toward a cyclist the potential for tragic physical injury is clear and present.  Any driving instructor will caution you that all but experienced stunt drivers will automatically and gradually point the car toward whatever the driver is looking at.  Essentially, if a driver’s attention is focused on you, he or she is going to get too close whether or not their intention was to endanger you… even if that attention is considered generally “positive”.  And that is where my perspective comes in.

I have been riding bikes for…  a long time.  I have been reading the accounts, blogs and articles concerning harassment, written almost exclusively by men, in the cycling community with increasing puzzlement.  I’ve been pondering this issue out on the pavement for some months, as car after car gives me a gracious and WIDE berth on the quiet, rural roads I’ve been riding on of late.  I think back at the seeming lack of negative encounters I’ve had even on urban and suburban routes.  Sure, I’ve been passed too close, but rarely has it seemed intentional rather than absent-minded.  The only menacing taunts I’ve ever received have been from rambunctious children in the backseat of SUVs screaming “Ride like Lance!” “Boo!’ or some other silliness.  It makes me jump out of my skin sometimes but it doesn’t oppress my soul or destroy my bike buzz.

I have been cat-called, wolf whistled and AAA-WOOed.  Like most cyclists of any age I pack fabulous back and men often voice their approval.  No harm, no foul.  There have been a few, very few, encounters that have gotten ugly.  Muscle cars with tinted windows have cruised me, passing and circling the block until I finally pull into the driveway of a lighted house or business and wait for them to lose interest.  It’s the silent ones who are really terrifying.  The worst by far are the three instances in which some moronic driver in an open car pulled up alongside me and cheered his moronic passenger on as he reached for a handful of my ass – this is a compliment no woman needs.  Ladies, if this ever occurs to you get the license plate number, stop as soon as it’s safe and call the police.  Grabbing someone’s ass without their consent is called sexual battery and when it’s done from a moving vehicle it’s a felony.  If the halfwit succeeds in his stunt with you, egged on by his bros, guaranteed he’ll keep doing it until some unlucky, nerve-wrecked girl wobbles and goes “crunch” under his wheels – when it becomes third degree murder.  Call the cops; they will take you seriously.  All three of my assailants and their drivers were caught and charged.  As unpleasant as that was, one knucklehead per decade is not that bad considering the frequency of ride-ruining run-ins with road-ragers that my male counterparts suffer through.  Are there more women out there fielding equal amounts of grief and they just aren’t writing as much?

For the most part my encounters with motorists are polite, complimentary or, overwhelmingly, blissfully non-existent.  So what’s up?  Do angry men behind the wheel recognize the curves and leave us be?  Does a guy pass me hurriedly only to see a fair face in his rear view (impinging on his right-hand turn) and think ‘oh, it’s a chick’ and cool his jets instead of yelling “Get out of my way, you stupid bitch!”?  Are men reluctant to scream at a woman in the street because they recognize it as a form of violence against women?  Do guys on bikes simply bring out the worst in guys driving cars?  Do men, already fuming over a bad day, think another bloke on a bike (protected only by a thin skin of lycra)  is a safe target on which to unload their angst, whereas hurling obscenities at a woman would just be Wrong?  Is it all ego and testosterone, rivalry versus chivalry?

I read a statistic that male cyclists killed by motorists outnumber females 7 to 1.  You could answer that simply by saying, ‘well, there are more men out there on bikes’.  Not that many more.  The majority of the men who were fatally injured were between the ages of 50 – 54, so you can’t say that it’s because men engage in riskier behavior.  What’s going on out there, boys and girls?

I think it’s a topic worthy of discussion.  Please weigh in!  Comments encouraged!

This is a piece that was done for a women’s cycling group based in Toronto.

First we draw.

Then we flip (because I’m right handed) and ink.

Now for the black and white interpretation.

Now we add COLOR!!!

Then we flip it back and do a three color interpretation.

Then we add an environment.

Time to paint!  First, the outline.

Fill in with COLOR.

Sky above.

Ground below.

A little wild blue.

A little more.

Add some sunshine and we’re done!

If you would like a Bike Scribble painting, logo or mural of your very own please email me: bikescribble@gmail.com

130 West Main Street  Cortez, CO 81321

(970) 565-4408

Bike Scribble Portraits Immortalize Your Passion

Or Yoga Scribbles, Horse Scribbles, Karate Scribbles… I work from pictures of your loved one (or you), their specific bike, horse, or appropriate gear  and situate them in their favorite sporting environment.  It’s unique, it’s personal, tasteful and timeless.  More exclusive than jewelry – it’s fine art.

Here is an example: “Trail for Two”  – J. Valens and wife Kath riding in Monterey.  Her bike a symphony of blue, his the famed Bahati Graffiti Bike.  A joyful couple enjoying a gorgeous day on the bike.

“Trail for Two”

All projects start at $1500.00, which is for a 24″ x 24″ to 26″ x 26″ canvas.  Other sizes and dimensions will be priced on an individual basis.  Orders must be placed by the first week in December to ensure delivery by Christmas.  Please email me with any questions at BikeScribble@gmail.com.  When you are ready I will consult with you by phone to begin the portrait process.  I look forward to working with you!

Other types of Scribble include but are not limited to:

“Yoganaut”

“My Neigh-bor”

“Martial Arts Art”

I’ve been working with some new forms to consider:

Yoga Scribble

Dance Scribble

Martial Arts Art

Any serious, reasonable offer considered.  Thank you for looking.

Squeaky Wheel Gallery

125 East 1oth Street

Durango, CO 81301

970.385.4737

Where: End of aisle 30,000 – Urban Lounge/Pub

This year’s title:  “Strip Gear”

Size: 4′ x 4′ – easier to pack!  (we’ll work out the shipping)

Raffle tix: $5 – get a sticker  – $10 get a Bike Scribble poster!

Benefits: 100% of proceeds to Kids on Bikes and 1,000 Bikes for Kids

Why:  Because every childhood should have a bike in it!

And for you pragmatists out there: A child who grows up riding a bike is more likely to BUY a bike when they grow up.

Come on down to the Urban Lounge and show us the love!  Thank you!

“Vegas or Bust” on display in the winner’s shop – Bicycle Ranch of Scottsdale AZ

Winners Terri and Markus Zimmer, owners of Bicycle Ranch

It wouldn’t be Vegas without Rick Vosper’s cheesecake shot.

Last year this Bikechik went to Interbike to see what she could see.  Darn near made my head spin clean off!  There, primarily, in a journalistic capacity I was a total NEWB, an Interbike virgin!  By the time I’d gotten the lay of the land it was time to go home.  Well this year I am returning a veteran (maybe that’s over-stating).  I’m armed and dangerous and bringing the Bike Scribbles along for the ride!  I’ll be painting a Bike Scribble on canvas LIVE in the Urban Legend Lounge (they’ll have beer there!) and raffling it off to benefit Kids on Bikes, Bikes For Kids Foundation and 1,000 Bikes Foundation.  Raffle tix are two bucks ($2.00 US) each.

Every $200 donated provides a deserving child with a bike, helmet, lock and school based curriculum including bike safety education.

You’ll even get a sticker like this for your trouble:

Such a deal!

Please click on links to learn more about these wonderful charities.

And please spread the word!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Bike Scribbling LIVE at Interbike!
Raffle of painting to benefit charities that provide bikes to disadvantaged youth.

What: Cycling artist Kathleen King will be painting a Bike Scribble, live at Interbike.  The 6″x 5″ canvas entitled “Vegas or Bust” will interpret the Interbike experience as a Bike Scribble.  Acrylic on canvas stretched on a gallery wrap frame. Estimated value: $6,000. A sketch of the design will be displayed in the painting area.

Why: The painting will be raffled off to benefit three cycling charities that focus on providing bikes for disadvantaged youth. Raffle tickets will cost $2 each. Those who purchase raffle tickets will receive Bike Scribble stickers. Purchase as many tickets as you like!

Who: www.kidsonbikes.net Colorado; www.bikesforkidsfoundation.org California; http://1000bikes.org LA, NYC, Boston, Las Vegas

Where: Interbike, show floor, Sands convention center  – The Urban Legend Lounge will have coffee in the AM, full bar in the PM, free wifi, and bikes and commuter gear on display. Grab a coffee and a colleague to do some business, or enjoy a beer during the 3rd annual Urban Legend Fashion Show. The Fashion show will be held twice this year; Wed and Thurs at 3:30pm – be there!

When: All five days of Interbike – September 20 – 24. Winner will be chosen at noon on Friday the 24th.

Ultimate Why:  Because every childhood should have a bicycle in it.