Cycling Etiquette

Redhog14

Last week on my 'mute i decided i was going to give a big cheery HELLOO! to all those I regularily see but who never acknowledge me.It was quite good fun to see their reactions..

Gizmo_

After a couple of days' saying hello to people on suitable bikes on my commute and getting zero response, I don't do it any more.

Unless they have a bike worthy of note. Lovely sky blue Condor the other day.

RT8

I wholeheartedly agree with you, and have actually just made my own topic about this issue. Nice that I'm not the only one to have noticed this.

I have had several run in's with the cycling 'elite' of my local area. Namely, being laughed at and being called an amateur by two men on a Van Nicholas and a Giant that were clearly worth more than my entire University tuition!

Nearly going off a bridge because some tosser threw his empty energy gel packet over his shoulder while overtaking me, which unfortunately cut my eyelid. Which I'm guessing was deliberate - Lol won't it be funny to kill some guy on a 10 year old Raleigh moment.

And occasions too many to count of them scaring the hell out of pedestrians just out for a quite walk on the coastal cycle track by almost trying to mow them down. Elderly people included.

Not to be a miserable sod, but as I expressed in my own post. I am quite thoroughly disappointed at the lack of camaraderie and just general manners I was expecting when I got into cycling 15 months ago. I'm only 19 and as some would think still a whipper snapper, yet still I polity thank every pedestrian who moves for me, or offer even an inexperienced hand to a fellow cyclist in need etc..

In that time I've met 3 friendly or helpful experienced riders! The others just look at me like I'm riding a Shetland pony round their Polo field!

Tom Dean

RT8 wrote:

just out for a quite walk on the coastal cycle track

:roll:

ShutUpLegs

Tom Dean wrote:

RT8 wrote:

just out for a quite walk on the coastal cycle track

:roll:

He's Welsh

chris48

but lets not sink into 'their' ways chaps...... : )
we need to continue to uphold standards!

Mikey23

Anyone who can be bothered to get off their arse and do something energetic is worthy of a smile, a nod, a wave, a cheery word. Whether they are a walker, a runner, a mountain biker, or a roadbiker I treat them the same and it doesn't really bother me whether they respond or not. Their loss

Leeuw

I've been making the most of the nice evenings, and doing a few evening rides, normally on the same circuit so not too far from home in case of bad light etc, and I need to get home quick.

Now, several times, I've noticed a couple of riders who seem to use the same route as me, but ride it t'other way round - I see them at varying points, always coming towards me.

The first time I saw this pair, they were on MTB's in full roadie kit - so I duly nodded and raised a finger in greeting (not THAT finger!). Nothing returned.

Next time, they were on road bikes, still in full roadie kit - another nod, a little grin and a cheeky finger from me (still not THAT finger).
Nothing returned.

Repeat scenario until bored.

But last night, I was feeling inspired having got home from work early and the weather was gorgeous, so I took advantage and off I went with the intention of giving my legs some grief.
Lo and behold, who's coming the other way..? At this point, I was going for it at about 30mph but still managed a nod and an "aye aye" as we crossed.
I got a response!!! They both sneered at me!!!!

I know it's a case of "each to their own" and people don't have to respond, but their sneering faces put a huge grin on my face for the rest of my ride

drlodge

Gizmo_ wrote:

Unless they have a bike worthy of note. Lovely sky blue Condor the other day.

Umm, I've got a blue Condor, not sure its sky blue though, a bit darker than that. Where were you?

rolf_f

Leeuw wrote:

Lo and behold, who's coming the other way..? At this point, I was going for it at about 30mph but still managed a nod and an "aye aye" as we crossed.
I got a response!!! They both sneered at me!!!!

I know it's a case of "each to their own" and people don't have to respond, but their sneering faces put a huge grin on my face for the rest of my ride

So you had a closing speed of probably over 50mph and they 'sneered' at you. TBH, at that pace, I couldn't tell the difference between a sneer and a smile - particularly if the others smile was delivered while working hard.

You shouldn't keep looking for peoples bad behaviour. If you were a bit more positive in outlook, you might find people seem nicer!

t.m.h.n.e.t

springtide9 wrote:

slowondefy2 wrote:

springtide9 wrote:

And even more confusing... what about Triathletes?

Triathletes don't acknowledge anyone, so what you decide to do is irrelevant ;-)

How do you tell the difference between a triathete and a roadie at 100 metres?

The triathlete is still working hard planning to run off the bike, the roadie is stuffing his face with cake.

snoopsmydogg

Raffles wrote:

Before I joined BR , whilst lurking I was aware the doo-dah hit the fan mightily in another thread which was very similar in many ways to this one not so long ago. On a personal note, im not adverse to a smile or wave to fellow riders whilst im out on the road , but I will admit to the board that if I see a mountain bike rider coming the other way,then its eyes straight ahead and just focus on my own ride ...........I dont have anything in common with a mountain biker and share no affinity, it doesnt bother me one jot either.

So you ignore other cyclists if they aren't on a road bike? You may find this strange but you do have something in common, amazingly......



wait for it.....


YOU BOTH CYCLE :roll:

I ride both mtb and road bikes, depending on how I feel or who i'm riding with is usually the deciding factor which bike I use. A lot of people getting into biking will buy an mtb as it's seen as a better all rounder, they're ok on the road and can be thrown around in the woods too while usually cheaper than cx/hybrid bikes.

I'm guessing your other thread about people thinking less of someone who rides a cheaper bike was actually your own thoughts then?

bails87

Raffles wrote:

On a personal note, im not adverse to a smile or wave to fellow riders whilst im out on the road , but I will admit to the board that if I see a mountain bike rider coming the other way,then its eyes straight ahead and just focus on my own ride ...........I dont have anything in common with a mountain biker and share no affinity, it doesnt bother me one jot either.

This is as stupid as the people who think that cyclists never drive and vice versa, possibly even more stupid.

I'm a mtber and road rider, loads of people are. The fact you make a concious decision to 'clock' the type of bike and then make an effort to ignore them suggests that you're....well....there's not really a polite way to put it. :roll:

I'm not saying you should say hello to everyone you see, but it seems odd to be making the deliberate choice to ignore people who may well be keen roadies, because they happen to be doing one ride on knobbly tyres.

Leeuw

Rolf F wrote:

Leeuw wrote:

Lo and behold, who's coming the other way..? At this point, I was going for it at about 30mph but still managed a nod and an "aye aye" as we crossed.
I got a response!!! They both sneered at me!!!!

I know it's a case of "each to their own" and people don't have to respond, but their sneering faces put a huge grin on my face for the rest of my ride

So you had a closing speed of probably over 50mph and they 'sneered' at you. TBH, at that pace, I couldn't tell the difference between a sneer and a smile - particularly if the others smile was delivered while working hard.

You shouldn't keep looking for peoples bad behaviour. If you were a bit more positive in outlook, you might find people seem nicer!

Sorry, thought I was being very positive in my outlook as I continue to greet fellow cyclists, regardless of steed or outfit, even when I know they won't respond...(perhaps I should have pointed out my previous posts on this subject/thread?)

Hoopdriver

The kind of person who is going to get heated up and impassioned on an internet forum, and is virulently againt waving, smiling or acknowledging the greetings of others, is not the kind of person you want to give much thought to. While they may be fairly common on the internet, they are not, thankfully, common on the road.

MattC59

Hoopdriver wrote:

The kind of person who is going to get heated up and impassioned on an internet forum, and is virulently againt waving, smiling or acknowledging the greetings of others, is not the kind of person you want to give much thought to. While they may be fairly common on the internet, they are not, thankfully, common on the road.

Unfortunately, I saw two of them on Wednesday night, seperately. They were descending (nothing technical, they were coasting) as I ground my way up a long drag. I nodded, raised a hand, they both looked at me and gave me a very superior look (In both cases it was a proper 'I'm better than you' look). Fair enough, it's their ride, but it made me smile and think what a sad life they must lead.

I don't care whether they say hello of not, but f*cking hell guys, lighten up, we're all enjoying it together.

kev77

Just give everyone the Timmy Mallet wackaday wave,

It works a treat!

Mikey23

I wonder if my 'friendly smile' might be misinterpreted as a condescending sneer. I'm certainly not going to take my hands off the handlebars to wave in case I fall off, and if I'm knackered, a nod might be all I can manage...

Perhaps some electronic greeting system that can be activated by pressing a button on the handlebar, graded from road bike through hybrid to MTb and subset for carbon/titanium/aluminium/steel, general shinyness of bike and standard of equipment?

Leeuw

Mikey23 wrote:

I wonder if my 'friendly smile' might be misinterpreted as a condescending sneer.

Or maybe an Elvis impression?

Hoopdriver

Leeuw wrote:

Mikey23 wrote:

I wonder if my 'friendly smile' might be misinterpreted as a condescending sneer.

Or maybe an Elvis impression?

Perhaps they just think it's gas?

ShutUpLegs

MattC59 wrote:

Hoopdriver wrote:

The kind of person who is going to get heated up and impassioned on an internet forum, and is virulently againt waving, smiling or acknowledging the greetings of others, is not the kind of person you want to give much thought to. While they may be fairly common on the internet, they are not, thankfully, common on the road.

Unfortunately, I saw two of them on Wednesday night, seperately. They were descending (nothing technical, they were coasting) as I ground my way up a long drag. I nodded, raised a hand, they both looked at me and gave me a very superior look (In both cases it was a proper 'I'm better than you' look). Fair enough, it's their ride, but it made me smile and think what a sad life they must lead.

I don't care whether they say hello of not, but f*cking hell guys, lighten up, we're all enjoying it together.

Do you mean contemptuous :?:

SilvioD

Mikey23 wrote:

Perhaps some electronic greeting system that can be activated by pressing a button on the handlebar, graded from road bike through hybrid to MTb and subset for carbon/titanium/aluminium/steel, general shinyness of bike and standard of equipment?

This is an excellent notion, I will get right on it.. look out for me in the Dragons Den.. I will give you all a wave!

Mikey23

Or a sign saying that my other bike is a roadie so please wave

Leeuw

Mikey23 wrote:

Or a sign saying that my other bike is a roadie so please wave

Sounds like a series of stickers waiting to happen

Or how about a bar mounted holographic projector, so I can virtually switch from road bike to MTB to track bike depending on who is coming the other way?

DavidJB

T.M.H.N.E.T wrote:

springtide9 wrote:

slowondefy2 wrote:

springtide9 wrote:

And even more confusing... what about Triathletes?

Triathletes don't acknowledge anyone, so what you decide to do is irrelevant ;-)

How do you tell the difference between a triathete and a roadie at 100 metres?

The triathlete is still working hard planning to run off the bike, the roadie is stuffing his face with cake.

The tri-athlete is picking himself up off the road after failing to navigate a slight bend.

Mikey23

sounds like some excellent suggestions here

trek_dan

You should move up to Northumberland where I go out cycling, never once not had a wave or acknowledgement back off a fellow lycra clad roadie - suppose its a Norheast thing.
I was once ignored by a guy riding a TT bar'd bike who I would assume was a Triathlete and therefore a bit of a tail.

snoopsmydogg

Maybe you look like a mountain biker and keep passing raffles

I live in county durham and nearly everyone down here is friendly enough

marjorie dawes

reg

charlie_potatoes

I have just came back from a 30 mile ride around my Borough.
I saw dozens of cyclists (MTBers and Roadies) and every single one of them either waved, nodded or said good morning.

A clean sweep despite the windy conditions.

Well done Thurrock