Two events in recent weeks may not have made it onto your calendars, but they certainly ran a high profile in the Richmond bicycle scene. Slaughterama was a chaotic show of risky masters of bicycling on Belle Isle. The event featured tall-bikes, hand-built bikes, BMX bikes and chariots all competing in games, races and good time mayhem. On Tuesday of last week, bikers met for a cross-town ride called Critical Mass to celebrate the bicycle as an alternative form of transportation.

Richmond has a large population of bikers of all shapes, sizes and ages riding all kinds of bicycles. I am one of them, and have experienced people's reactions as I ride on by. Some shout out subtlety-free catcalls. Others offer high five or honk and wave. Some have straight up fits of road rage, which often come complete with the middle finger.  

Feeling confused and intrigued by the varied responses I have seen and received from city-dwellers, I took to the streets, on foot, and asked bikers and non-bikers alike how they feel about the bicycle riders in the city. Here's what I found.

Anne Via, age withheld – Chesterfield

They certainly don't bother me. You just have to be careful.

Pete Sudeo, 37 -- The Fan

Some of them are pretty dangerous, but certain areas are worse than others.

Andrew Foster, 21 -- Glen Allen

Although I haven't ridden a bicycle in years (I feel that) the bike scene is open; as long as you have a bike, people will ride with you.

Scott Brookman, 44 -- The Fan

Biking is a good idea for cutting down slightly on emissions. There should be regulations on large vehicles parking in the Fan because it can be hard to see bicyclists around cars.

Crystal Davis, 22 -- East End

It is the most visible culture in Richmond. You can't help but see racks and racks of bicycles. On one hand it is a great way to show alternative modes of transportation ... on the other hand, there seems to be an exclusionary sub-culture there, if you drive a car, or don't ride the right bike.

Rodney Kether, 58 -- East of Belvidere Street

They need to indicate that bicycles cost money ... and indicate the laws about theft.

Allan Wagner -- age and residence withheld

I see them around (campus area) and I get along with them when I'm driving.

Elizabeth Sharrett, 25 -- Museum District

I ride my bike to work every day. I wear my helmet and follow the rules of the road. I save a lot of money on gas and (have) less wear and tear on my car. Biking is good for me. I get annoyed when people, mostly students, don't wear helmets and don't obey laws. They want for dual rights as both a pedestrian and a vehicle.

Stephen Vesely, 20 -- Henrico County

The ones that can actually drive and abide by the rules are fine. It's the ones that dart in and out of traffic that are the problem, but I certainly don't want to group them all together.

Jimmy, 42 -- place of residence withheld

You gotta get around and (biking is) slight quicker than walking, plus parking ain't the greatest thing.

Dana Bivens, 20 -- The Fan

The people that I've met that are hardcore bikers are really down to earth and involved citizens.

Sung Hee Choi, 20 -- VCU campus

It doesn't look safe ... the tall bikes they ride. And they swivel around you when you're driving.

Rafael Johnson, 25 -- The Fan

Richmond is more biker friendly than other cities.

Bettine Peacemaker, 30 -- Church Hill

I'm not aware of the bikers.

Salwa Sheibany, 33 -- place of residence withheld

I'm nervous about riding in the streets. I think (safety) is a job for both the bikers and the cars.

Sarah Ballard, 18 -- place of residence withheld

It's all they talk about ... every new part that they get.

Megan Schulze, 21 -- The Fan

It's fun and good for the environment. It is not too flashy.

Brittany Heyward, 20 -- place of residence withheld

It is really annoying ... they jump out in front of my car. I hate it when they ride in the middle of the street.

Julia Linden, 21 -- The Fan

I think it's great. At VCU (especially), everyone bikes. You don't see people biking at UVA or U of R.

Kris Li, 21 -- VCU campus

Sometimes they run over people ... we need bike lanes.

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