they're back....

Keiron Curtis

I've been commuting for a few years now, over the winter I've had the roads virtually to myself. Now the weather is improving, and because of the increased numbers starting to cycle etc., I often see cyclists with all the gear on, and give them a friendly " hello ", only to be totally ignored. What's wrong with these people?

Stone Glider

Perhaps they are out of breath and clinging to the bike in panic. I know I was when I started, although I did reply or wave when I could.

Alternatively they may just be ignorant.

hambones

Or maybe they just don't want to say hello!!!! :roll:

Rockbuddy

Maybe, they're concentrating on what they are doing and genuinally haven't heard you. I sometimes see cyclists going the otherway but as I am concentrating on the cars around me and my line I rarely give any greetings. Also if I pass a cyclist, I rarely say anything as I am concentrating on giving them room and if there are any cars overtaking etc. Maybe I'm rude but I'd rather be safe and seem rude than sorry...

prj45

Keiron Curtis wrote:

I've been commuting for a few years now, over the winter I've had the roads virtually to myself. Now the weather is improving, and because of the increased numbers starting to cycle etc., I often see cyclists with all the gear on, and give them a friendly " hello ", only to be totally ignored. What's wrong with these people?

You talk to other cyclists?

Imperceptable nod only surely?

ris

i normally say good morning to the one, or maybe two i see on my commute. there is one chap i see regularly that never responds, even with a roll of the eyes or a waved middle-digit. it might just be an imperceptible nod, but i didn't want to be caught staring. :shock:

most of the other cyclists i see say marnin', which is nice seeing as we're few and far between on that road.

ince

I know what you mean, I see the same people day on day and only bother to say hi to the people I will get a responce from. Maybe we should all try a little harder.

I must say, I ride motorbikes and have driven old landys and both groups imho are more friendley out on the road.

Either that or I scare the other riders away :?

Dropzone-dog__

I must say, I ride motorbikes and have driven old landys and both groups imho are more friendley out on the road.

+1 A nod always seems to be returned. I think it is something to do with the feeling that motorbikes are vulnerable road users coupled with the fact we have a common standard of training.

Even on a pedal cycle I have had motorcyclists stop & ask if I am alright when fixing a roadside puncture.

CiB

I don't get the problem. What do you expect - that every other cyclist is desperate to be part of the 'oooh look at us we're both on bikes let's be chummy' club? I see the odd cyclist on my routes, and the imperceptible nod is as much as anyone gives or gets, much to my satisfaction. When I used to trundle about in my old Series II LR I got the occasional wave then, but it always felt a bit forced having to the grin & wave back. If as OP states there are a lot more cyclists on the roads now that it's nice out, maybe the rest of them get fed up with being invited to do a hearty ackowldgement of yet another cyclist on the roads every 200 yards. Personally I'd rather keep my head down, and my concentration, speed & cadence up

blu3cat

Seems to me those in the more rural parts see less other cyclists. I try to give an INR if I catch a fellow cyclists gaze, but if I were to nod at each and say morning on my London commute no one would acknowledge me as I would the lunatic who nods like Rainman and says morning every 30 seconds.

Oh hold on........

prj45

ince wrote:

I know what you mean, I see the same people day on day and only bother to say hi to the people I will get a responce from.

I rarely see the same person twice.

There is a guy who wears what looks like authentic aviator goggles that I sometimes see coming the other way in Hyde park and the lady in the pink wellies that goes along King Street. Other than that, very rare for me to recognise somebody.

I love the city, totaly anonymity if you want it.

Dropzone-dog__

Seems to me those in the more rural parts see less other cyclists

Newcastle city centre or indeed the journey into it is hardly devoid of cyclists.

Is it a London problem that fellow road users are reluctant to acknowlege each other?

NGale

The Exeter cyclists on the whole are a good bunch. The committed ones (or should that be the ones who should be committed ) usually give a smile or a nod when you toddle on past them

The ones who say nothing are usually the casual sunday riders who really wish they were in their cars.

Furbes

Try cycling over here , everyone completely ignores you unless you're a superiorty complexed roadie , resplendant in full club gear . Having said that , just like Dropzone though , i've had motor bikes stop & ask me if i'm alright if i'm at the side of the road for whatever reason . People just seem to be in a world of their own over here :!:

Bassjunkieuk

I think the problem with trying to acknowledge cyclists up in London is the sheer volume of riders would make it rather difficult! Occasionally when I'm on the outskirts heading it I might give an INR to a bike coming the other way and get a response but it's rather rare.

I did have a wonderful Sunday morning ride before Xmas tho where practically every other cyclist or group I saw gave a nod or hello - it was very nice as I don't really consider myself shy and will knock up a conversation given half a chance!

If as the OP says that these are "new" cyclists they just might not realize the etiquette yet?

ince

I don't see that many other cyclists on my route out of Chester, ten at most on a busy day.

One thing that did strike me last night is that most of the people I see (like me) ride in isolation. This is no doubt the norm for commuting. I guess there may be alot of people out on the road who may not even see riding as a social thing but just a A to B get you there and back and nothing more.

Still as I only see a hand full of people I will make more of an effort.

dirk_van_gently

I only see a handful of cyclists on my commute, but they all say morning(or other appropriate greeting for time of day). Very occasionally I may meet an ignorant git, who totally ignores my greeting, it's their loss.

You just have to accept that some people just Stink.

DonDaddyD

I talk to some at the lights, sometimes about kit, our bikes, the idiot driver/ped/numpty on a bike that type of thing. Once the lights go green its warfare with the spoils going to the victor.

General rule when in motion its normally a nod (breathing heavily and talking is an issue... :oops: ). When at the lights I'll talk talk talk away.

To be honest by comparison cyclists in London are much more friendly than pedestrians, a pedestrian would be lucky if they were spat on by another pedestrian.

Jay dubbleU

DonDaddyD wrote:

To be honest by comparison cyclists in London are much more friendly than pedestrians, a pedestrian would be lucky if they were spat on by another pedestrian.

But only if they were on fire

Stuey01

Don't really see the problem.

I'll occasionally give an imperceptible nod if accidental eye contact is made with another cyclist, other than that I go about my business and they go about their's.
I would return a greeting if one is offered but I can honestly say I have never encountered a cyclist doffing his cap and calling "toodle pip" to all he passes on his way up the A3.

On the other hand if someone has an accident, or a mechanical I will always stop to see if they need assitance.

Sewinman

I don't really understand why one would expect cyclists to say hello to each other. Simply using the same mode of transport seems a strange reason for conversation to me.

il_principe

Etiquette innit. I always nod to fellow cyclists when out and about on my weekend rides. Don't bother on the commute though.

ExeterSimon

The Exeter cyclists on the whole are a good bunch.

Except the Exeter Wheelies who look at me in disgust as I fly past the Odeon on a Sunday morning astride my MTB, baggies flapping in the wind, Camelbak packed with tools and tubes.

Stuey01

jashburnham wrote:

Etiquette innit. I always nod to fellow cyclists when out and about on my weekend rides. Don't bother on the commute though.

eggzactly - weekend pleasure riding is quite a bit different to the mad dash to work whilst trying to avoid going under a bus.

When out on the MTB at the weekend I say hello and give a nod.

biondino

I chatted to a nice chap on a Focus from Knightsbridge to Chiswick last night, and told him to come visit the forum! It's happened a few times lately, more often than not a verbal expression of respect after a fast, hard-fought duel, I like to think!

DonDaddyD

biondino wrote:

I chatted to a nice chap on a Focus from Knightsbridge to Chiswick last night, and told him to come visit the forum! It's happened a few times lately, more often than not a verbal expression of respect after a fast, hard-fought duel, I like to think! After that we compare our fuchsia belts and vintage jerseys. Then it's back to mine for a cup of coffee and bowl of cornflakes in the morning!

Fixed that for you.

Cycling Dave

I find some of the attitudes here strange. Maybe it's a Scottish thing.

I think that one of the great things about riding is the opportunity to engage with your surroundings and the people in them.

Up here when out riding you always get a verbal greeting, unless they're going up hill, or a wave.

I'm quite forward and will give it "alright man how's it going?" which I'm able to do by virtue of being a weegie (I can squeeze that out in a nano second and it sounds like "alritemanhoozitgaun") If it's a girl on a bike I just stare :oops:

Keiron Curtis

I'm with you Cycling Dave

benno68

Don't think there's anything wrong with people and wouldn't consider it a problem, but it's a sign of the times and isn't restricted to the cycling community.

15+ years ago It seemed almost customary to acknowledge a fellow cyclist if eye contact was made.

Exception granted if you're mashing it - but nodding your head an inch isn't going to hurt if you're pootling.

Where's all the love gone people? :?

sarajoy

Depends how many people you meet, innit. If you're passing or seeing or standing by a new cyclist every minute or less - you're going to very quickly get bored of greeting and nodding at them all...