Ive seen this term a few times, but never an explanation. As a person that (mostly) associates themselves with being Bi, ive never experienced any sort of “cycle”. Its it just an internet injoke (cause it sounds like bicycle).
Thanks for the insight. I’m aware that bisexuals aren’t more prone to cheating since I’m bisexual and monogamous myself, but the majority of straight and gay people I talk to have this assumption that all bisexuals experience the bicycle and they avoid bisexual partners for that reason. Physical attraction is the most significant part of sexuality to me (if I’m emotionally but not physically attracted, that person would just be a friend) so the bicycle stereotype of switching attraction between masculine and feminine physiques would imply that I will lose attraction to a partner completely on a scheduled basis. Therefore, I try to challenge the stereotype whenever I see it. But I understand now that the bicycle won’t cause problems if the person is most attracted to personality or if the partner’s appearance is fluid.
But I understand now that the bicycle won’t cause problems if the person is most attracted to personality or if the partner’s appearance is fluid.
I don’t think it’s as set in stone as that, but I understand where you’re coming from. Even in straight relationships attraction will ebb and flow, I think that’s quite natural for any type of relationship as it progresses and you experience various events in life. Illness, new ideas about looks, aging etc.
I think we need to challenge ourselves a bit on attraction and what it means to us and why. I wouldn’t lose attraction to my partner as they age either or if they got severely ill. No one is static neither in looks nor insights.
Admitting that sexuality is mostly based on physical attraction tends to get judged as shallow, but it’s true for most people, me included. That doesn’t mean personality, values and shared experiences don’t play a role. I wouldn’t abandon someone for something out of their control like aging or illness, but knowingly changing their appearance for the worse with overeating, bad hygiene or ugly cosmetic surgeries would be a dealbreaker. And I wouldn’t stick around with a hot person with a shitty personality.
