[cyclefaster]

The reason I ask is lately there seem to be a lot of miserable people out riding bikes.

I give a nod and say hi as I see other riders but a lot of the time it gets ignored and sometimes I even get a confused look back.

I don’t really understand it as I’m generally in a good mood and happy when I’m out on my bike.

Topic

[leipreachan]

Always. Usually I say “Good

Always. Usually I say “Good morning” no matter what time of the day is it.

[nikh]

I nod or wave to the people i

I nod or wave to the people i see regularly on my route to work, other than that not generally. If people wave at me I might smile or give a nod.

Cycling’s way too popular nowadays to acknowledge eveyone on two wheels. I used to see two other cyclists regularly on my 6 mile commute into Exeter in the 90’s at peak times, would be more like 100 now i expect. Where’s it all going to end – do I have to fist bump every other pedestrian I pass on way to Mozzers for my lunch? Think I preferred ‘cycling’ when it was generally just weird loners and club cyclists.

I don’t really like people – can you tell?

 

[one_bad_mofo]

There’s a fella on Facebook

There’s a fella on Facebook who seems to think it depends on what you’re wearing as to whether other riders acknowledge you or not – https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=118801809878532&id=118647009894012&__tn__=K-R

[Anonymous]

Acknowledge anyone on two

Acknowledge anyone on two wheels, and almost always get some kind of acknowledgement back – though some folks don’t like taking their hands of their bars of course, but they’ll still smile, usually. If I get nothing back it doesn’t worry me a jot.

[reuvenfg]

nod or a wave to roadies.

nod or a wave to roadies.

it depends with commuters or guys on MTBs

[Rome73]

Yes, i do, mostly. Especially

Yes, i do, mostly. Especially the ones i see everyday on the commute. It’s a solidarity thing. 

[Anonymous]

No. But sometimes I’ll wave

No. But sometimes I’ll wave back if someones waved or nodded me. I don’t bother to acknowledge other people as I like to keep myself to myself (I rarely even go dogging). Same applies to when riding a motorcycle.

[Kapelmuur]

Geraint Thomas used to live

Geraint Thomas used to live locally and I’d see him out training, he always waved and said ‘hi’.

I reckoned that if it was OK for an Olympic gold medalist it was OK for me.   Most riders I see are acknowledgers.

[mtb_roadtripper]

I generally give a wee wave

I generally give a wee wave to absolutely everyone on two wheels, dont always get a response. Sometime I miss people and they probably think im one of these too cool for school wankers but im not haha 

There is a difference if im riding in Edinburgh, i dont think the people are less friendly its just if you waved to everyone you’d never have two hands on the bars and some people arent cyclists they are just humans on bikes. If you know what i mean. 

[Achtervolger]

I can understand your

I can understand your feelings. I think it can have a very powerful effect on us if we feel like we’re being ignored, in many situations in life. Strangely, I’ve found if a driver has pulled a dangerous manoeuvre on me, and I’ve caught up with them at lights and tapped on their window to have a word, it angers me more of they just ignore me than if they wind their window down and argue with me. I still can’t seem to help feeling annoyed when drivers don’t give a little sign of acknowledgment/thanks if I’ve stopped to let them come though. But then I can’t say I do it every time myself when the situation is reversed, though I am trying to get better at this. I think I used to get more upset if other cyclists didn’t acknowledge my wave, I’m not sure when I stopped caring, it just seemed to happen. Like you say, I guess there’s probably an element often of wondering if the other cyclist will acknowledge you, he/she is thinking the same, then the moment’s passed. I suppose someone just has to make the first move!

[HeadDown]

Klopt. Dank je. 

Klopt. Dank je. 

[HeadDown]

I agree, I’ve noticed more

I agree, I’ve noticed more cyclists not responding, and they’re not all lockdown newbies. I hate to admit that I actually find it mildly annoying! I greet everyone on two wheels. 
And – this’ll put the cat amongst the pigeons – the more pro they are the less likely it is they’ll wave. That’s my observation and overall impression. It seems, almost, like we’re both waiting for the other to acknowledge, and the Castelli doesn’t want to be left hanging. 
And no I’m not bitter or, er, brandist, I own some Castelli stuff. 

[kil0ran]

Generally say hello, nod, or

Generally say hello, nod, or wave to oncoming cyclists and yell “ON YOUR RIGHT” at people I’m overtaking*

 

*this literally never happens 

[Achtervolger]

I give most people a nod or a

I give most people a nod or a wave if I can when I’m out on my road bike in the Peak District – other roadies, mountain bikers, people struggling on BSO’s, tourers, the lot. Not so much when I’m in the city, as I’m usually paying more attention to what’s going on ahead of me and I appreciate that other cyclists might be doing the same. I don’t take offence if it doesn’t get returned. I think many people are in their own little world when they’re on their bike, which is fair enough. Perhaps some people who are new to cycling don’t realise it’s a thing in the cycling community, but I guess the more people that give them a friendly acknowledgement the more they’ll come to realise that it’s the case. For myself, it makes me so happy to receive a nod or wave from another cyclist. It makes up for so much of the horrendous behaviour we have too put up with from drivers. It’s like a brief moment of connection between two people who know how amazing cycling is, for all the risks that come with it.

[Welsh boy]

It’s a great little phrase

It’s a great little phrase isn’t it, I just wish I could take credit for thinking it up.

[Author]

Replies