Click to see the photo sequence that culiminated in the cute photo above. Even better, read the comments below the photo sequence. The photo was good enough, but the comments are priceless. A volcano of internet debate erupts. Passionate attempts are made at convincing each other through reasoning that large dogs should or should not be allowed near small babies. Amidst the reasoning there is a hysterically funny flame war in which people accuse each other of potential manslaughter, call others pansies and sign off with “I killed Nazis with my bare hands.” Rich stuff.

However, I’ve had some strange anti-cyclist experiences of my own. I once was thrown off a commuter rail trail in Chicago (Metra) for carrying a folding bike inside a bag. The conductor had a very literal interpretation of Metra’s “no bicycles on the train” policy (which has changed since then). He suspected that I had a bike in my bag, because I was still wearing my helmet.

I pointed out that my bicycle was inside some luggage and that surely the policy had nothing to do with bikes in luggage. (Could I have carried on an unassembled bicycle in a cardboard box?). There was no reasoning with this man. He de-trained me. I complained to Metra on the phone and was assured that carrying a folding bike was fine. Metra also apologized handsomely (they gave me a free 10 ride pass).

Two or three times, when riding in the suburbs (actual city drivers in Chicago don’t seem shocked by the presence of cyclists), I have had angry drivers who had plenty of room and opportunity to pass tailgate me for what seemed a long time, honking furiously at me. Once, I was tailgated by someone yelling obscenities at me. Twice, people have shouted obscenities at me while passing. Once someone who apparently had a specially installed loudspeaker on his vehicle, drove by, hit his mike button and shouted “Loser!” at me over his PA.

No tasing, though.

I guarantee none of this would happen in Europe, where I grew up and where getting around by bicycle is considered honorable and is encouraged at all levels of society. And as I’ve said, I’ve never had an experience like this in the city of Chicago itself, only in the suburbs.

Anyone care to wager an explanation of this phenomenon?