In a conversation with a fellow biker the other day, we approached the topic of the "hipster." He argued that the term and entire culture are made up, and that there are in fact no hipsters. But I believe if someone is identifying as a hipster, that is what makes it real. This moved me to look deeper into the word, and to analyze its role within the biking community. The term "hipster" originated in the 1940s. The group became associated with the less known jazz movement and later, the Beat poets and authors. Today, take a quick peek at UrbanDictionary to read a number of people's definitions of a hipster, and glean from it the general tone of negativity, although I suspect that many of them probably are hipsters.
How to Identify a Hipster in the Wild
An educated upper-middle class person with leftist values (see picture left). Must frequent thrift stores, coffee houses, small cafes, underground clubs and bars. Must listen to indie rock. And most importantly, must have purchased clothes than have already been worn, or been expertly sewn to look as though they have been. Must be politically active, or at the very least, informed. Must take an interest in supporting local businesses. Must consume organic and eclectic food, but also must stay lean. Showers not required. Traditional Hipster Garb includes very tight pants, especially for boys. Ironic tee-shirts are always a plus. Patterned Vans or Converse are common. For girls short hair is appropriate, even edgy. Chipped nail polish. Every boy should be in a band. Think emo, but hopeful.
People in the
So how did bikers get clumped with hipsters? And why is that fact so offensive? Although hipsters are thought to be liberally minded, they also retain a certain air of pretension. Also, I suppose because it means we are grouped with people who do not ride bikes. To solve this dilemma, the best we can hope to do is sport something that will distinguish us as bikers, in the hope that another biker will recognize our true status on the street as we ride by.
The thing is this, being a hipster (see picture below) can be very expensive. Even in a subculture so dedicated to living out a protest of the mainstream, commercialism is present and flourishing. Although, no one can argue the movement's success in influencing youngsters to go out and spring for overpriced tight black jeans and bandanas. The only way to secure an identity as a hipster or a biker is to own the products that all of the other hipsters or bikers own. Ultimately, however, bikers are redeemed by the fact that even owning all the paraphernalia popular among cyclists will not save you in the bike world. If you can not talk the talk and walk the walk, it does not matter how expensive your bike is, or what a cool bag you are wearing. If you do not know how to signal, or are dumb enough to ride without a light, pump, and extra tube, everyone will know you are merely a fake.
The Measure of Legitimacy
So how do you prove your legitimacy in the bike world? Know what you are talking about. Be able to point out every part on your bike, refer to local bike shops, legendary riders and groups, also know your brands. Have experience with a number of different bikes. Even if you only own one bike, you should be comfortable riding and comparing a fixed gear, a single speed, bikes made from different materials, to, god forbid, a beach cruiser. Track stands and tricks are always impressive, but here is the real question. Can you go the distance? This is one reason bike messengers can have instant respect. They have to have stamina, and be tough, because riding is their job. It is good to participate in some longer rides since what goes along with this is the experience of drafting and at some point, probably intense hill climbing. Then you have stories to tell. Are you able to avoid crashes? That may sound simple enough, but even seasoned riders crash sometimes, which is perfectly alright so long as they are not crashing because they are purposefully riding aggressively and putting other bikers in danger. On a similar note, when taking into account a biker's legitimacy, one must consider their ability to properly communicate with the cars around them. A good rider must find a happy medium in which they are neither being pushed around by the cars on the road, nor stirring up anger towards the biking community by antagonizing drivers without good reason. Bike aesthetics are, of course, a personal choice, but bearing that in mind, other riders will see your bike, and identify it with you.
2 comments:
Being one to be cast into the hipster group though I hardly think anything I do is "original" enough to be considered "hip," I find your post to be one that will hit home for many readers. The trouble with something like bicycle activism is that if hipsters decide to make it an elitist phenomenon, those who feel they are not hip will avoid the movement all together. Do you think that hipsters can be detrimental to the movement?
Your links, though they are scarce, add humor to your post which I feel is both necessary and appropriate as something like the term hipster can be so subjective and yet people take it ever so seriously.
I must also point out that I think the structure of this post makes it interesting and more involved.
I also like how you point both positive and negative aspects of being a hipster and how merely appearing to be hip does not necessarily make one a hipster.
Other than a few minor typos which hardly distract from the piece I find your topic very interesting and relevant.
It seems there are hipsters in all kinds of groups scattered across society. If someone starts a trend, naturally someone must do it better and more fashionably.
All in all, thank you for teaching me to be a more seasoned cyclist and perhaps one day I will see you at a Super Hero Ride or some other crazy thing.
I really enjoyed this post - your humor got across really well. Your attack on hipster subculture was written well enough that it didn't seem like an attack, which I liked. Usually a strong argument is the standard, not humor. I was actually hoping to find more site links lampooning hipsters (a flikr site of someone particularly hipster, for instance).
It seems odd that these hipsters would be so associated with biker society, and I was kind of looking for maybe a historical reason or reference as to why hipsters lashed onto bikers so much. The catch-22 of trying to be a biker but not a hipster was interesting, too.
I think the best part of your post was definitely the 'measure of legitimacy' section. You effectively outlined everything that a worried biker should focus on to not be a hipster and distinguish his/herself. These get to the heart of what's wrong with hipster culture, and for anyone reading the post, they would see it as a checklist and strong guide to evaluate themselves. Overall, well done.
Post a Comment