Is it still a done thing to...

Simonb256

...to give a lorry driver or drivers of large vehicles a little wave/thumbs up to let them know that they have passed and its safe to pull back in when they are overtaking?

Obviously its silly to do so if they move into the adjacent lane to pass, due to the traffic behind you (i.e. cars trying to overtake you whilst the lorry is still indicating left in next lane, it happens). But I was always told to do so, more so from the lorry drivers than cyclists though.

It is difficult for them to judge a) our speed and b) how far we are behind them via the mirrors. Though this doesn't always justify their behaviour, and please consider I don't ride in London but the west midlands.

Plus I find it works well with the more nervous car drivers who try to overtake.

Opinions?

Blacktemplar

I always acknowlege any driver who's taken the time to think about where they are on the road in relation to the bike, and adjust their driving accordingly.

Plus it makes me feel smug. :twisted:

mudcow007

i always say thanks no matter if its a car, truck (my dad is an ex truck driver), van (quite rare) or bus (even rarer) if they have been courteous

i think it shows you are reading the road an are aware of whats going on etc

plus it makes me feel good

DaveHudson

As above, I always say thanks to the considerate drivers. Just helps a little with the way cyclists are percieved imo.

We are all trying to get from A-B and some use motorised transport where as I wheeze along putting people off their lunch with my oversized rump wobbling slowing them down

One thing I never do is indicate to the vehicle behind that it is clear to overtake, I'd hate to missjudge it and something to end badly.

crazy88

On my commute it's common that cars pull into the cycle lane at junctions to 'get a better view'. As they see me coming often they stay and cause me to swerve into the road (afterall, it is their road, ha). Sometimes they realise and slightly roll back to allow me to continue in the cycle lane. I always give a nice smile and wave to acknowledge their effort.

I am aware that sometimes cars need to edge out, but it just frustrates me when they sit there and don't even acknowledge they're in your lane.

As for lorries, it very rarely occurs, and i've never thought to do it, but if the situation arises I might.

Buses which overtake to instantly stop at the bus stop annoy me though!!

cjcp

I try to acknowledge courteous drivers, particularly those in larger vehicles, and try to wave them to turn if they're indicating to turn across a bike lane and you can see them in their mirror wondering whether to turn.

shouldbeinbed

a little courtesy never hurts

TommyEss

Agreed - I always acknowledge the ones who have overtaken cleanly with plenty of room - just as I always throw my arms up in a "What was that for you idiot?" kind of way and shake my head when they're too close but I've pre-empted it.

When they do the really daft stuff and I find myself pulling an endo (with full panniers!) - I find bending down low enough to glare into their rear view mirror is quite satisfying.

Rep of Seaburn

I said thanks to a bus driver on Jamaica Street a week or two back for letting me over take, he started to pull out and saw me so whacked on his anchors. At the Rothehithe Tunnel Roundabout (or Death Island as I call it), he actually moved his bus out of the way so I could turn left. A little courtesy goes a long way, particular on Jamaica Street at rush hour.

jezzb

yes I aways say thanks to drivers who do not endanger me

pastryboy

Anyone who has noticed and reacted to me (even if they have only done something they're supposed to do anyway like not pull out on me on a roundabout) get a nod of acknowledgement.

As for waving someone on - you should never do this really just in case you're responsible for an accident

Kieran_Burns

Yup, i always do. I swear I'm getting recognised by the British Gypsum lorry drivers along one stretch of my commute

I always wave to acknowledge / let them know they're clear - I often can see a wave in their wing mirrors or a flash of the indicators.

Positive reinforcement on both sides seems to work well.

nwallace

Simonb256 wrote:

...to give a lorry driver or drivers of large vehicles a little wave/thumbs up to let them know that they have passed and its safe to pull back in when they are overtaking?

Obviously its silly to do so if they move into the adjacent lane to pass, due to the traffic behind you (i.e. cars trying to overtake you whilst the lorry is still indicating left in next lane, it happens). But I was always told to do so, more so from the lorry drivers than cyclists though.

It is difficult for them to judge a) our speed and b) how far we are behind them via the mirrors. Though this doesn't always justify their behaviour, and please consider I don't ride in London but the west midlands.

Plus I find it works well with the more nervous car drivers who try to overtake.

Opinions?

Yes, they can't necessarily see where the tail of their vehicle is in relation to you and an indication that they are clear helps them if they are looking.
Same with anything towing a trailer really, especially when it's a wee trailer with a load of crap in it and you just know the driver isn't used to having a 2m long appendage hanging off the back of their car.
But generally I'll "wave" to anyone passing, just occasionally it's not a wave.

donkykong

thumbs up for safe drivers, unfortunatly its not every driver

Phate

A lot of my section is bus lanes and have always wondered what the correct way of signalling to them that it's ok to pull out/away from a bus stop and that I'm slowing to allow them to do so?

beverick

pastryboy wrote:

Anyone who has noticed and reacted to me (even if they have only done something they're supposed to do anyway like not pull out on me on a roundabout) get a nod of acknowledgement.

As for waving someone on - you should never do this really just in case you're responsible for an accident

Agreed on both counts although it's sometimes beneficial to indicate to someone that you're ceding priority (either by a hand signal, a nod or by not pedalling/moving off) - especially where you're navigating narrow gaps around parked vehicles for instance. Just make sure that your signal is clear and unambiguous.

Phate wrote:

A lot of my section is bus lanes and have always wondered what the correct way of signalling to them that it's ok to pull out/away from a bus stop and that I'm slowing to allow them to do so?

I usually stay well to the near-side to do this and stress the point that I'm not pedalling either by "standing" on the pedals and coasting or even putting a foot towards the floor. If the bus has a rear-facing camera I may stay towards the centre of the lane to the back of the bus (and possibly draft for a while!)

If you stay to the off-side you can usually see the driver looking back in the mirror so you can invite them to move-off with a hand signal and then move back in behind the bus as it moves off.

Bob

mtb-idle

I always acknowledge drivers if they have given way, moved over, seen me, even if they just site at a side junction and don't pull out on me.

A little bit of politeness always helps