Pattern recognition is a strong advantage of the massively parallel human brain. We are so good at it that we make up patterns where none truthfully exist. This may be my “face on Mars”, but now that I’ve done some a decent amount of cycling in and around Williamsburg, I’m starting to notice something. On some days drivers would be especially mad, with me being on the receiving end of a few horn blasts, gestures, and snide comments all in the same ride. Then there would be other days where I would go the same route at the same time of day and other drivers would give me plenty of room. Nobody would scream a thing and sometimes even a few drivers would wave at me. Why is this? I’ve got some ideas.
My first observation is that weekends are worse than weekdays. This seems counterintuitive, since one would think that weekend drivers aren’t rushing to or from a job and would be more patient. Maybe the rage just builds during the week and people just want to let off some steam. I will say the traffic is definitely worse on the weekend. I’m betting that slower travel times in combination with a greater pool of possible angry drivers is probably why I get more grief on weekends. However, it isn’t just that the increase in road rage is correlated with weekends. In the past few months, it became apparent that another factor was at play.
I’ve now realized that weekend or not, I’ve never had any nasty encounters when I’m wearing my William and Mary jersey. Cycling clothes are expensive: comfortable shirts and jerseys require me to lay down a least $70, so I’ve only got a handful of jerseys and shorts. All my other jerseys are solid colors and unbranded except for one, which has the school livery. I wind up wearing it a few times every week since my clothing options are limited, and when I go out in it, nobody would even think of touching me. With the William and Mary jersey, it’s like I’m wearing a Superman costume, but with any other jersey, I might as well be Lex Luthor.
This is quite a strange observation, but research has shown that any small similarity between two strangers can help form a strong bond between them. In a recent study, Manchester United fans primed to think about their team loyalty were more likely to help a stranger wearing a Manchester United shirt than a stranger wearing the shirt of a rival team or no team logo at all. When you have a bond with someone, no matter how small, you are more likely to help them if they are in trouble or respect them if they are biking on the road.
Another observation of mine is that the magic jersey has no power in Virginia Beach. I’ve gotten just as much grief wearing it there as I have with other jerseys. There just aren’t enough people that can identify with it as there is in Williamsburg where nearly everyone has some relationship to the school. As a professor or staff member, you don’t want to hit one of your own students. As a student, you wouldn’t want to injure one of your fellow classmates. As a local, you wouldn’t want to insult someone who lives down the street. Even tourists stay well away, knowing I’ve got ties to this place.
I ought to get another William and Mary jersey. Wearing it on a weekday is probably my best bet for avoiding road rage.
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