Cycling Etiquette

harrydaisy

I have been road cycling for about 18 months now and roughly get in about 80 miles a week, early morning rides and Sunday or sat spins. I'm mid 30's and ride a wilier.

As we all do I am happiest out in the lanes ( Sevenoaks Kent, so perhaps it's the area!) but I am increasingly annoyed by the attitude and lack of manners of my fellow cyclists. Whether I am passing someone (rarely) or being passed (often) I always say good morning or afternoon, it seems that most either don't bother or wait before replying. The worst seem to be the group/ club runs that come down on a Sunday!

My other sport is golf where it's common to pass the time of day, I'm just really surprised that us cyclists are not more friendly. It actually strikes me that the sport is actually very clicky and most are " very much up there own arse".

Apologies to those out there this does not apply to, and perhaps it's the area I live or the state of society today but I do think that us cyclists should stick together. It's cost nothing to offer a good morning or afternoon once in a while!

rick_chasey

Have a good search on 'waving'.

It's a popular debate on here that tends to get very heated.

Agent57

*shrug* Sometimes I wave and get waves, sometimes it's the imperceptible nod of recognition in either direction, sometimes I nod and get blanked, sometimes I get waved and don't respond. Depends on loads of factors, not least whether I'm honking up a hill.

If I'm just on the bike for transportation, I'm less likely to make any sort of nod, wave, cheery "Hello!" or anything. It's just transport, and I wouldn't wave at every person I saw walking to the shops just because I was walking too, or flash at every motorist just because I'm driving as well.

If I'm in the lycra, then maybe I'm more likely to acknowledge kindred spirits. But I've no reason to expect recognition from other people on bikes. I'm a stranger to them. I certainly don't get miffed if a rider coming the other way (or past me) doesn't nod, wave, say hi etc.

indysmith

I say hello, but don't care if other people don't. Just because somebody's using the same mode of transport as me doesn't mean we have anything in common.
Do you say good morning to everybody else driving a car when you're on the motorway, or greet every single person hobbling past you whilst walking around your local town centre? No.

It is nice for cyclists to stick together though.

ShutUpLegs

I'd always ignore a golfer when I'm out.

harrydaisy

indysmith wrote:

I say hello, but don't care if other people don't. Just because somebody's using the same mode of transport as me doesn't mean we have anything in common.
Do you say good morning to everybody else driving a car when you're on the motorway, or greet every single person hobbling past you whilst walking around your local town centre? No.

It is nice for cyclists to stick together though.

Far point and I agree If you are around hundreds of cyclist, it would be silly to say hello. But I am talking about country lanes and b roads so it perhaps just you and one other.

Example: I was passed by a guy who was obviously a much stronger rider than myself, he rode on my back wheel and then passed, we were in a country lane, it was a beautiful day and no one else was about. He did not even look at me!

Is that acceptable?

cougie

Plenty of things in this world are unacceptable. And far far worse than ignoring someone on a bike.
Say hello if you wish but don't expect everyone to be as friendly. And don't waste your energy thinking about it. There's nothing you can do about it.

Defyand

No. As your mother might have said manners cost nowt!

harrydaisy

cougie wrote:

Plenty of things in this world are unacceptable. And far far worse than ignoring someone on a bike.
Say hello if you wish but don't expect everyone to be as friendly. And don't waste your energy thinking about it. There's nothing you can do about it.

Agree, but it's a little sad - I suspect that it has more to do with society today and the fact there are some rude people out there, cyclists or not!

But I for one will be out tomorrow and if I pass someone I will give a nod or a wave and expect nothing in return.

Mike39496

I almost always nod and generally I get a nod back unless they are a commuter (some commuters nod but everyone that doesn't is a commuter!). The only time I didn't nod was when I was on my way to work cycling the opposite way to loads of riders in the Cheshire Cat, my neck couldn't take that.

dindi_boy

I always give other cyclists a 'hello' on the way by, but I'm not too bothered if they don't reply. If they can't be bothered it says more about them than me.

On the other hand, I've been really fortunate to have chatted with a few people while out on the bike, which has been great. Yesterday, while out myself, and battling into a pretty strong headwind, I was caught up by a guy and we chatted for 6 miles or so. It really made me forget how much my legs were hurting! Cheers, whoever you were!

klep

I wink from behind my sunglasses.

ilm_zero7

ShutUpLegs wrote:

I'd always ignore a golfer when I'm out.

on the basis that they are probably BMW drivers, Addison Lee subscribers and anti-cyclists....... yeah, good call

BruceG

You must be very popular on your golf course walking back and forth on the fairways just to say hello to your golfing brethren. I am sure they would prefer you to just get on with it and stop holding them up.

Have you condidered that some folk may enjoy the solitude of just getting out riding on their own, and just want it so. I dont suppose they thought for one moment that they would then be the subject of an internet post because they failed to comply with someones "social etiquette rules"

Wave say good morning or whatever you need to do to satisfy your needs, however if it isnt reciprocated then just move on, dont rush off and find an internet forum to complain about it, because guess what, IT DOESNT MATTER

binsted

Mornin all

ShutUpLegs

binsted wrote:

Mornin all

*waves*

rc856

ShutUpLegs wrote:

binsted wrote:

Mornin all

*waves*

*ignores*

fludey

I always give a tip of my head....even to people on mountain bikes :shock:

team47b

It think it depends where you live, I have no idea about the people of Kent, but here everyone says hello, I have serious road cyclists say hello to me even when I'm out for a walk.

People are warmer here, but then everything is warmer here

Fursty Ferret

I tend to ride around flipping the bird to everyone I see, accompanied by a volley of filth and general verbal abuse.

OP, don't worry about it. They might just be thinking deep thoughts or trying to blank out the pain. It's unlikely to be personal. Or maybe they've been following you and fantasising about your arse for 5 miles and are too shy to introduce themselves properly...

Anonymous

What were you wearing?

mikeouk

ILM Zero7 wrote:

on the basis that they are probably BMW drivers

wait, im a cyclist who owns a bmw,

I cycle in the lake district, i always acknowledge other cyclists. Some times im on my road bike, some times on my mountainbike, doesnt matter to me who or what the other person is riding or wearing. Id say i get a response 9 times out of 10 though.

BillyMansell

ShutUpLegs wrote:

binsted wrote:

Mornin all

*waves*

OhFFS, knees out in your plus fours and doffing your tweed cap is the absolute minimum.

Anything less will be considered bad form and none of this bloody french 'chapeau' nonsense.

dork_knight

Percentage wise where I am it's probably 60 to 40 where the majority of people acknowledge each other, not really a big deal if you're not acknowledged, but in my opinion it's nice to have the gesture returned.

I had something seriously slice open my tyre this morning, while trying to fix the puncture just about every cyclist that passed by asked if I was Ok (I think only one didn't out of 6 or 7 to be honest)... which I thought was pretty impressive.

So you may not always get a nod or a wave, but it certainly seems that the majority of people will stop and help a fellow cyclist in need of help.... or perhaps it was just a good day

RoadMeridaBen

Depends where you live I suppose I rarely get completely snubbed around here.
But when it does happen it is annoying, but theres not much you can do about it :P

velocitygirl

harrydaisy wrote:

cougie wrote:

Plenty of things in this world are unacceptable. And far far worse than ignoring someone on a bike.
Say hello if you wish but don't expect everyone to be as friendly. And don't waste your energy thinking about it. There's nothing you can do about it.

Agree, but it's a little sad - I suspect that it has more to do with society today and the fact there are some rude people out there, cyclists or not!

But I for one will be out tomorrow and if I pass someone I will give a nod or a wave and expect nothing in return.

It's nice to acknowledge someone and I will nod my head or do so in return. Having said that, if they don't respond, I'm ok with that.. they're either in the zone or don't care. I am still biking on a path rather than the road and find the leisure riders tend to be friendlier, but when they're concentrating on being friendly towards me, they also veer into my lane as they don't appear so comfortable on their bike, so I've been less likely to try to 'engage'.. so they may find me unfriendly but I'm only trying to protect myself. Perhaps the road cyclists you see on the road would be different off the bike with a beer in their hand

Enjoy your ride no matter what tho

morstar

I ignored some geezer on a Pinarello in a British National champs jersey last Thursday.
Funny thing is, I normally acknowledge nearly everybody on a bike but at the time I was breathing through my ears in the last 3 miles of a 25 mile TT.
Anyhow, the cheek of the person. Not only wearing a jersey they hadn't earned. They were doing it right on Bradley Wiggins doorstep!

Hang on a minute...

Bolllocks.

And yes, this is a true story.

harrydaisy

BruceG wrote:

You must be very popular on your golf course walking back and forth on the fairways just to say hello to your golfing brethren. I am sure they would prefer you to just get on with it and stop holding them up.

Have you condidered that some folk may enjoy the solitude of just getting out riding on their own, and just want it so. I dont suppose they thought for one moment that they would then be the subject of an internet post because they failed to comply with someones "social etiquette rules"

Wave say good morning or whatever you need to do to satisfy your needs, however if it isnt reciprocated then just move on, dont rush off and find an internet forum to complain about it, because guess what, IT DOESNT MATTER

You are missing the point mate.....and you obviously don't play golf or have any manners and Im not that fussed if people like you don't have the time to pass the time of day. I'm sure you are more intrested in how you look in your cycling club gear"

BruceG

harrydaisy wrote:

BruceG wrote:

You must be very popular on your golf course walking back and forth on the fairways just to say hello to your golfing brethren. I am sure they would prefer you to just get on with it and stop holding them up.

Have you condidered that some folk may enjoy the solitude of just getting out riding on their own, and just want it so. I dont suppose they thought for one moment that they would then be the subject of an internet post because they failed to comply with someones "social etiquette rules"

Wave say good morning or whatever you need to do to satisfy your needs, however if it isnt reciprocated then just move on, dont rush off and find an internet forum to complain about it, because guess what, IT DOESNT MATTER

You are missing the point mate.....and you obviously don't play golf or have any manners and Im not that fussed if people like you don't have the time to pass the time of day. I'm sure you are more intrested in how you look in your cycling club gear"

I play a modest game off 12, and I am most definetly not your mate!
and with your obvious social inadequacy problems doubt i ever will be, and I am thankful for that. Now excuse me for not waving.

FFS you have been on here for 5 days and already you are laying down the law about social etiquette whilst out riding, get a bloody grip man.
Stop your bike carry out a Morris dance routine, or perform a Haka, whatever you need to do to satisfy your needs, BUT if the other person doesnt respond just accept they are satisfying there own needs without imposing them on others and leave it be, the world will continue to turn other people will still wave back at other times it really DOESNT MATTER

blablablacksheep

For me failing to acknowledge my cheeky grin and both hands waving at you,(which i may add is very hard to ignore) = me followng behind you for the next few miles shouting "excuse me, excuse me...excuse me....."

After a few mins of doing this and i get a response i reply with...

"never mind" and carry on with my trip....it allways works wonders:)

ArdyOCD

If its a fit woman, I follow them for a few miles and heckled them a bit