I first heard someone say they were going to drive their bicycle about 3.5 years ago in my League Certified Instructor seminar. I found it odd at first and didn’t really think much of it until the last year or two. Since a bicycle is defined as a vehicle under the Revised Code of Washington, a bicycle driver has the same rights and responsibilities as the driver of a motor vehicle. This is why it makes sense to use the word ‘drive’ instead of ‘ride’. It also seems to make the act of bicycling sound more official and serious when you use the word drive.
I’ll admit I still say ride sometimes, try as I might, I can’t catch myself everytime. I try and use the word drive when I’m teaching bicycle commuter classes, it reinforces the notion that the bike is a vehicle and should be treated as such.
I don’t know if the nomenclature will ever catch on fully, perhaps if we all start saying ‘drive’ and teach our kids how to drive their bikes it will.
Have you ever heard someone say they’re going to drive their bike? Do you ever say it? What are your thoughts on the wording?
