Positive reinforcement for good drivers!

Aguila

I have an idea for a little campaign. We often read about terrible incidents on here with idiots in vans etc and verbal confrontations. I'm very bad for this usually and will mouth off at people for the smallest thing.

this morning i was riding along past a line of traffic that always bulids up leading to some lights. Like some sort of biblical event a series of 3 or 4 cars made a point of pulling in towards the curb to allow me more room to pass. I was lost for words but later thought we probably should make more of a point of thanking people who do this, maybe it would encourage good behaviour!

Maybe you all do this already? (and I'm just a miserable old git).

schlepcycling

In circumstances like this I usually give either a little wave or a thumbs up to show my appreciation for considerate driving.

sarajoy

I tend to wave a thank you or stick a happy thumb up to nice drivers... Also a smile and a nod to the ones that wait in a side road instead of nipping out in front of me.

Plus the smileyvest of course

jonginge

I regularly thank drivers that have given me room*. Manners first, positive reinforcement second

* Makes up for the times I need to use other gestures

robmanic1

Always acknowledge considerate drivers, even if it's just for something they're supposed to do anyway, like not pulling out in front of you at junctions.
I think it's a great habit to get into and, with everyone's support, may help change some drivers preconceptions of us all being self-righteous pr!cks in silly clothing (we'll need to work on the clothing bit).

AndyManc

Aguila wrote:

I have an idea for a little campaign. We often read about terrible incidents on here with idiots in vans etc and verbal confrontations. I'm very bad for this usually and will mouth off at people for the smallest thing.

this morning i was riding along past a line of traffic that always bulids up leading to some lights. Like some sort of biblical event a series of 3 or 4 cars made a point of pulling in towards the curb to allow me more room to pass. I was lost for words but later thought we probably should make more of a point of thanking people who do this, maybe it would encourage good behaviour!

Maybe you all do this already? (and I'm just a miserable old git).

I acknowledge good driving as much as I berate the idiots.


.

Kieran_Burns

I always acknowledge considerate driving if I am able. Just this morning on my completely uneventful ride in I had a gentleman in a car behind wait rather than rush past.

I needed to turn right, so I sat up, shoulder checked and made eye contact while putting my arm out. He nodded in the direction of the right hand side of the lane and smiling i pulled across, gave him a thumbs up and got as near to the middle as safe so he pull inside of me if he chose.

He actually didn't and again waited patiently.

On the way home a lady tried to rush in front of me as I came 'round a roundabout an realising she couldn't she hit the brakes and gave me a sheepish grin. I flashed her a smile and a wave and got past as quickly as I could (in that bloody gale)

cat_with_no_tail

I find that using thumb or middle finger to convey my feelings towards different driving styles serves me well Credit where credit's due and all that

Big Wib

Robmanic1 wrote:

Always acknowledge considerate drivers, even if it's just for something they're supposed to do anyway, like not pulling out in front of you at junctions.
I think it's a great habit to get into and, with everyone's support, may help change some drivers preconceptions of us all being self-righteous pr!cks in silly clothing (we'll need to work on the clothing bit).

+1

Aidanw

what you did not notice was the cars were actualy pulling into the curb to block cyclists cutting up the inside, not being nice to you at all!
:evil:

AdilDobbs

Whether you're driving or riding I think you should always acknowledege courtesy shown by others. It's just rude not to!

marchant

+1 for positive reinforcement; big friendly wave to the Arriva bus driver who stopped to let me out, despite him having priority.

wantaway

I would find it odd if people did not say thanks as a matter of course.

Chewy Cheeks

I try to always give a thumbs up or at least a nod where someones been considerate.

I do try not to get too excited at the less than thoughful.

The number of red light jumpers seems to have increased markedly since I last commuted regularly and I do my gentle mutterings but doubt they'll change anything.

snooks

I always thank where possible, either a thumbs up, a big smile, a wave, or even just lift my hand up from my handlebar while keeping the palm of my hand resting on the bar if they are overtaking and giving me room.etc,

If I'm over taken by a truck, van or even a car and they have given me room I'll give them a thumbs up to say thank you and let them know it's safe for then to return to their normal road position

I'll always thank people when I'm in my car or as a pedestrian when I see some helpful gesture. take less than a second, so why the hell not do it?

I like it when my good will gestures are acknowledged, make the roads a happier place

Bassjunkieuk

Fully agree, I'll always try to thank drivers who have made room for me or given way. I think it's just good karma :-) I usually manage a nod or thumbs up as that's more visible from behind and I don't have to try and look backwards then!

I even got a thumbs up off a cyclist on my way in to work this morning (was in the car) after I noticed him in my wing mirror and realized that:
a) He had a high vis jacket on
b) Wasn't traveling to fast

Using these 2 observations I assumed he would struggle to get past my wing mirror and the parked truck so I pulled to the right (after checking that mirror for cyclists/motorbikes!) to give him some extra space. Made me feel a bit warm and fuzzy :-)

andy83

always thanks drivers, especially when they wait behind you until completely safe to pass.

also i find that if im ever in the car with anyone who knows me they are very considerate to cyclists, prob cos they know i will go mad

i do also sometimes shout at other cyclists who RLJ lol

only other day big 4x4 went past giving me bout 5cm cleareance so i shouted only to find a massive burger trailer in site that clipped my shoulder. driver was completely obliovious, maybe they just thought if they knocked me off i was just more meat for their burger!