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@unfortunatedaughter
Anyone who suggested this blogger was baiting people or that her experience was in ANY way unusual, hey whats up you just came face to face with the reality of male privilege, dummy!
I don't ride a 'girly' bike at all, but riding daily i average at least four comments a week, ranging from negative/physical/sexual comment + beep to full on chase/tail and abuse. my boyfriend was riding with me recently and was shocked that this was something i was sadly resigned to.
as i am neither a svelve lycra amazonian or a cruising pashley type, i usually get one of these:
'percieved bad cycling + woman = insult pertaining to unsuitability for roadworthiness e.g. get off the road you fat bitch'
'general laddery + my own conscious inability to take being shouted at by a car full of men as a 'compliment' = attempt to take it back like 'fuck you you're actually ugly anyway'
Ironically the most serious abuse I've recieved in terms of threatening behaviour was just after a HollabackLDN meeting, where said car full of men who had been shouting 'hey gorgeous' changed tac and decided i would obvious submit to their advances if they tried to run me off the road.
Aside from the obvious patriarchy argument which probably isnt for here, one of the main reasons people shout is they're in a fast box of metal and feel invincible. Testimony does help to change attitudes, though, and also, if you see/hear this kind of thing happen while you're riding, for god's sake say something at least, even if its 'are you alright' to the victim. Solidarity! Plus It is a nice reminder that the dude-world isn't entirely populated by heinous lonerboners.