That illustrates the problem that you just do not get! "if you thought that was hostile he isn't going to last long here." - So, it is now a "competition" with rules set by YOU, is it? And that is the issue. It is supposed to be a forum for bike enthusiasts, not "Let's all see how much shit that a new user can take in their "initiation" before we accept them in!
Personally, from the hassle that I've been through, I give not the shiniest shit if it all fails, but I assume that there are those, like moderators, who do care. All I am trying to do is nudge people to be a bit more tolerant and civil. Fine, if you don't want that and I guess you think that you are speaking for all here.
I left the other place because I didn't feel very welcome - rightly or wrongly. I am getting ten times that vibe here. So it is not a group of bike enthusiasts, as it was set up to be, but now a toxic culture of survival. It may come as a surprise to you , interrupting your study of thermodynamics, but many people really don't need the hassle. Nobody has to come here. . . . . . And many will see the "welcome" that others get and think, "No, not for me!".
Judging from what I've seen here, today in the "introduction for new members" area, my guess is that many will visit and then think, "No, not for me!".