shout out to everybody who bought a Tesla to save on gas or show off or whatever and is now trying to figure out what to do with the fact that they’re driving around in a $45,000 MAGA hat
@dansolomon Rip the chrome off it maybe?
@dansolomon As a long-term road bicyclist, I've learned to correlate the type of vehicle with the probability of misbehaviour. A big pickup with or without commercial markings? A late-model BMW? They are going to come closer than necessary and (particularly in the case of the pickup) they aren't going to signal. Tesla drivers are firmly in the BMW camp - demonstrated personality problems acted out in unsafe driving behavior. They generally aren't signalling eco-consciousness, they are signalling privilege. Take from that what you will about the future of the market for Teslas, but I think it will thrive.
@rose to be fair the tesla could be driving too close because the owner is using the self-driving mode and it doesn't recognize that you exist
@rose @dansolomon that’s disappointing! I’m sorry that’s been your experience. We are a road biking family who (sadly now) also owns a Tesla. We always respect the cyclists! Bummed this car has so much stigma now.
@kk I still drive a petrol-burner! The tendency to link our identities with the brands we have chosen is also a choice we make. Just choose not to?
@rose deal. I’ll be extra kind to cyclists though!
@rose @dansolomon I recently started riding an ebike a fair amount and I would say probably 90% of the times I've almost been hit it's been a Tesla

@rose @dansolomon
The car talk guys used to say something similar about Jetta owners pretending they were driving BMW's.

I wonder what Ray and Tom would say about today's Tesla. I bet they (Tesla owners) pass on the right a lot

@rose @dansolomon I've noticed this too, even though I'm not on a bicycle. Around Austin I've also noticed Teslas with no visible license plate, trying to cosplay Steve Jobs.
@lpar @dansolomon Need code to run on my rear-facing camera to warm me when a Tesla, BMW, or pickup is approaching.