Acknowledge other cyclists and smile.

OWO1-750

Just back in after an afternoon ride around the Essex lanes and I would like to ask why the majority of "fellow" cyclists fail to acknowledge that I was even there, I always give a wave, a nod or a greeting only to be ignored by a large percentage of those out doing the same as I am, cycling. Am I on the wrong bike, is it not expensive enough or carrying the wrong name on the down tube, don't think so, wearing the wrong gear, no can't be that either, what is it then that causes me to be ignored by all my "fellow" cyclists.

barrie h

If I see a family with kids on little bike I wave, somebody going to work on an old hack I wave
I wave without distinction to any body on a bike because they are cyclists
and if a stuck up snob thinks I`m below them on the bike pecking order thats their problem
what go`s round comes round sooner or later

A northern cyclist
Barrie

Peddle Up!

Good to see the return of a classic topic.

JackPozzi

I'm in Essex as well and will always give a wave, and to be fair about 90% of riders I see will wave as well. Sorry but I'm not going to smile though, I'm too much of a miserable c**t

BillyMansell

If you drive a car do you wave at every other motorist? If you go to the supermarket and use a trolley do you wave at everyone else in the supermarket with a trolley? In both cases they are fellow participants in the same activity.

If you want to wave at cyclists that's fantastic and all power to your waving arm, but just because you want to do it does not commit anyone else to join in.

Secteur

We really should discuss this more around here!

rickeverett

BillyMansell wrote:

If you drive a car do you wave at every other motorist? If you go to the supermarket and use a trolley do you wave at everyone else in the supermarket with a trolley? In both cases they are fellow participants in the same activity.

If you want to wave at cyclists that's fantastic and all power to your waving arm, but just because you want to do it does not commit anyone else to join in.

When you pass someone walking or running its common courtesy (or atleast it was one time) to say hello or at least acknowledge the person. Cycling is very similar.
Horse riders etc do the same. These activities are closer related than insular driving in a car.

I find it depends on parts of the country and where you are that determines this however. Cycling down south IMO is worse and the attitude of "me and my own business" is stronger. If your in a busy town or city then its impractical to say hello to everyone that passes... Just like walking, jogging etc.

buckles

Do you smile at, wave to and acknowledge 'fellow' motorists too? How about fellow restaurant diners, fellow clothes wearers, fellow computer users, fellow beer drinkers? Cycling isn't some sort of social club where you buy a bike and then suddenly you're mates with everyone else who's chosen to do so. Nowt wrong with being friendly to strangers, but don't expect strangers to share the same sentiment as you...

kajjal

Some cyclists are just miserable and normally those wearing team colours. Other cyclists are just knackered and can barely pedal let alone be cheerful. I was out today in strong winds and everyone I passed coming the opposite way looked stunned. When I looped round into the wind I could see why , 14 miles of pain until I got back home into a wind so strong you decelerated on the down hills. I could see why they were not as cheerful as normal round by me.

dodgy

This is the beginner's forum, so I totally understand the OP's point. But, many of us have been cycling long before the recent upsurge in popularity of cycling. To us/them, cycling is not unusual, it doesn't require recognition as being different. Sometimes we wave, just as sometimes we say good morning to a pedestrian while we're walking to the shops, but sometimes we don't.

Get over it, this is how it is

Buckie2k5

BillyMansell wrote:

If you drive a car do you wave at every other motorist? If you go to the supermarket and use a trolley do you wave at everyone else in the supermarket with a trolley? In both cases they are fellow participants in the same activity.

If you want to wave at cyclists that's fantastic and all power to your waving arm, but just because you want to do it does not commit anyone else to join in.

Traditions are going out the window and being polite and courteous seems to be one of them. The world is turning into a very sad and sour place.

Bozman

I didn't even smile on my wedding photos so you'll struggle to get one out of me.

Lycraboy_Andy

Well OP, were you riding a 6 grand bike whilst clothed in kit with a value equivalent to the defence budget of a small South American country? Did you have carbon fibre water, filtered through fossilized rocking horse sh*t in your drinks bottle?? Why on earth did you feel worthy of acknowledgement?

I don't accept all this "You don't wave at other motorists" bull. When you take part in a particular hobby I think you have every right that when you encounter another person engaging in the same hobby, to expect an element of camaraderie! For instance, many many times I've seen MOTOR cyclists interact with each other. They wave, nod, wiggle their heads AND....whisper it quietly....have a chat at traffic lights!
As other people have mentioned, horse riders, runners and ramblers do it...so why not cyclists?

Perhaps they're just too knackered after averaging 40mph up an exceptionally tough climb?

Sprool

It's generally a good thing to be nice to others.
Most cyclists except downtrodden commuters cycling in jeans with their saddles too low are pretty friendly round here. As are horse riders, but maybe 10% are too much in their own zone or up their own arse to not nod, smile, wave, etc. It won't stop me from being friendly though, theres not much to lose.

Moonbiker

I used to be friendly but got tired of being blanked after saying hello etc that can't be bothered doing it most of the time anymore.

napoleond

If anyone waves at me I always acknowledge with a curt 'Fu<k you!'

OWO1-750

Oh what a hornets nest, and no Lycraboy Andy its a 4 year old Cannondale flat bar and the kit's all off Ebay, I've been riding for 50years but only joined the Forum last year as I had just retired and had time on my hands too see what other's are doing, good to know the spirit is still with us as shown by NapoleonD.
Enjoy your riding, I've just got back in from a sunny Sunday ride and yes no work tomorrow.

NewTTer

Nice Yamaha though, that would deserve a wave

charlie_potatoes

OWO1-750 wrote:

Enjoy your riding, I've just got back in from a sunny Sunday ride

You might have seen me on Sat or Sun
I acknowledged a lot more riders on Saturday because I was suffering/wheelsucking today

bagz3

Can not believe some people are comparing cycling to driving a car. Cycling is a recreational activity and as such has forums like this to add to the social aspect of it. If you have no interest in other cyclists, then why are you even here socialising with them. I don't see many forums for people who drive to work or the shops!!!
Total different, no argument.

I'll always give a nod and a smile

NewTTer

bagz3 wrote:

Can not believe some people are comparing cycling to driving a car. Cycling is a recreational activity and as such has forums like this to add to the social aspect of it. If you have no interest in other cyclists, then why are you even here socialising with them. I don't see many forums for people who drive to work or the shops!!!
Total different, no argument.

I'll always give a nod and a smile

Not true go do a google for virtually any brand and make of car and you will find an owners forum for it

BillyMansell

bagz3 wrote:

Can not believe some people are comparing cycling to driving a car. Cycling is a recreational activity and as such has forums like this to add to the social aspect of it.

There are many forum for car owners who see their car ownership as part of a recreational activity but I've never seen them crying about not being waved at by other owners.

If you have no interest in other cyclists, then why are you even here socialising with them.

This a discussion forum not a bumfest. Nowt wrong with discussing cycling, better still to be riding but moaning about total strangers you happen to pass not mirroring a random behaviour is bonkers.

charlie_potatoes

NewTTer wrote:

bagz3 wrote:

Can not believe some people are comparing cycling to driving a car. Cycling is a recreational activity and as such has forums like this to add to the social aspect of it. If you have no interest in other cyclists, then why are you even here socialising with them. I don't see many forums for people who drive to work or the shops!!!
Total different, no argument.

I'll always give a nod and a smile

Not true go do a google for virtually any brand and make of car and you will find an owners forum for it

And the Pistonheads Forum

OWO1-750

NewTTer wrote:

Nice Yamaha though, that would deserve a wave

Nice to see someone who know's their Yamaha's.

awavey

BillyMansell wrote:

bagz3 wrote:

Can not believe some people are comparing cycling to driving a car. Cycling is a recreational activity and as such has forums like this to add to the social aspect of it.

There are many forum for car owners who see their car ownership as part of a recreational activity but I've never seen them crying about not being waved at by other owners.

If you have no interest in other cyclists, then why are you even here socialising with them.

This a discussion forum not a bumfest. Nowt wrong with discussing cycling, better still to be riding but moaning about total strangers you happen to pass not mirroring a random behaviour is bonkers.

I think classic VW beetle and Mini owners would get upset if you ignored them waving at you, that seems to be unwritten rule of owning one (but not sure they are allowed to wave...at least in a friendly manner...at the newer ones) though BMW did try when they first launched their MINI with "A guide to MINI etiquette" telling new owners not to be alarmed when other MINI drivers waved or flashed headlights at them and this was "...not only socially acceptable behaviour but positively encouraged within the MINI fraternity..."

and it worked for about the first two years everytime you saw another MINI the driver or their passenger would wave, and youd smile and wave back, usually followed by your own passengers saying things like "do you know those people ?" then they became uber popular and everyones got one now and is uber grumpy as hell and no-one waves anymore.

so yes some same model/make car owners do wave, just like people out walking always say hello, dog owners always stop to chat to each other, and cyclists for the most part do wave or acknowledge each other.

Though it does feel very location dependent, most cyclists I encounter locally give you that 100 yard stare when you wave, I cant work out if they think Im just completely nutty or are trying to work out if they know me, in that other unwritten cyclist rule that everyone always knows each other :roll: but other parts of the country its totally different and far more friendlier...or they are just humouring me

iPete

bagz3 wrote:

Can not believe some people are comparing cycling to driving a car. Cycling is a recreational activity and as such has forums like this to add to the social aspect of it. If you have no interest in other cyclists, then why are you even here socialising with them. I don't see many forums for people who drive to work or the shops!!!
Total different, no argument.

I'll always give a nod and a smile

You've not been over to commuting have you?

maltloaf_df

I wave at everyone on my 20ish miles a day. We have tons of cyclists around here (south Gloucestershire) and I'd say about 90% wave back. I have found that the more expensive looking the bike and the shinier the kit, the less likely you are to get a wave back.

I saw a fella on a brand new (probably Xmas) Scott which was always oh-so-shiny, roughly every other day a couple of weeks ago and he didn't even acknowledge I existed.

He was happy enough to use one of my spare tubes when he had double punctured though and has waved ever since.

slowbike

I didn't wave to a few cyclists yesterday ... but the other guys in the group I was in did acknowledge them - I was too busy concentrating trying not to crash ... I felt that deserved at least 99% of my attention.

I did wave/nod/say hello to a few other riders though - that was when I felt I was under control ...

southdownswolf

I quite often wave or nod to other cyclists (or runners when running) but don't always see if they nod/wave back as I could be concentrating on where I'm going, miss their nod, a car go past etc.

markhewitt1978

I wave or nod at all cyclists, and usually runners and walkers too, they are sufficiently infrequent it makes it no issue.

However when I was cycling in Mallorca there were so many bikes it was the equivalent of waving at all the other cars on a motorway, so I didn't do it there.

bianchimoon

oop here in north yorkshire, very rarely do people not wave or nod, were a happy friendly cycling bunch