Wave rate
03-31-20, 08:37 AM
#26
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In a situation like that, I save energy on the wave by only using one finger.
If someone is slowing or stopping to argue with me, I take that as a threat and will deliberately begin to act insane enough that they won't want to risk getting out of the car. If they're inclined to hit me with their vehicle, that's already so insane that I don't know whether ignoring them or acting like a nut will or won't make it more likely to happen.
If someone is slowing or stopping to argue with me, I take that as a threat and will deliberately begin to act insane enough that they won't want to risk getting out of the car. If they're inclined to hit me with their vehicle, that's already so insane that I don't know whether ignoring them or acting like a nut will or won't make it more likely to happen.
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03-31-20, 08:39 AM
#27
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In a situation like that, I save energy on the wave by only using one finger.
If someone is slowing or stopping to argue with me, I take that as a threat and will deliberately begin to act insane enough that they won't want to risk getting out of the car. If they're inclined to hit me with their vehicle, that's already so insane that I don't know whether ignoring them or acting like a nut will or won't make it more likely to happen.
If someone is slowing or stopping to argue with me, I take that as a threat and will deliberately begin to act insane enough that they won't want to risk getting out of the car. If they're inclined to hit me with their vehicle, that's already so insane that I don't know whether ignoring them or acting like a nut will or won't make it more likely to happen.
03-31-20, 08:44 AM
#28
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03-31-20, 09:14 AM
#29
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What bothers me is that sometimes someone will not only wave, but seem to be acknowledging they know who I am. Then for the next 1/2 mile I'm riding along trying to think if I knew that person or not.
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03-31-20, 09:18 AM
#30
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Yup, my main frustration right now is that taking the time to have the polite exchange would probably make them nervous about violating social distance rules Normally, I go out of my way to let them know that I think it's my job to accommodate them, not the other way around.
Also, when I approach a kid on the path, I find it much safer to just assume he/she is going to get it wrong, and get pleasantly surprised when they don't. All the way over and really slow gives me plenty of time to adjust either way.
Also, when I approach a kid on the path, I find it much safer to just assume he/she is going to get it wrong, and get pleasantly surprised when they don't. All the way over and really slow gives me plenty of time to adjust either way.
Do you find yourself cringing when you see other cyclists blast past kids? I know I do.
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03-31-20, 09:25 AM
#31
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100% I wave at everyone, and they wave at me...Round Rock TX must be friendly! Heck I even wave to motorcycles!
Also, my wave is a salute...anyone else do that? leftover from my navy days i guess...
JAG
Also, my wave is a salute...anyone else do that? leftover from my navy days i guess...
JAG
03-31-20, 12:31 PM
#32
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I've chased a couple of people down on the Minuteman just to yell at them for doing that. Mostly I want to humiliate them by showing them a man with white hair can catch them and pass them without riding like a reckless jerk.
03-31-20, 08:57 PM
#33
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When my wife and I rode through Chicago which was on our bike tour route, we wanted to see how many smiles would be returned by the people we smiled at. It was fun, and it was amazing how many people returned our smiles
Last edited by Doug64; 04-03-20 at 11:46 AM.
03-31-20, 10:49 PM
#34
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I'm about 40-50%.
Generally do not wave at those with flashing front lights (sometimes they get the one finger salute), nor e-bikes.
Generally do not wave at those with flashing front lights (sometimes they get the one finger salute), nor e-bikes.
04-02-20, 10:57 PM
#35
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I usually wave/nod at other roadies, less so at folks on hybrids and cruisers, but even then I'd say I do more than most. Especially when it's nasty outside, because you know the person you're passing is just, if not more passionate than your about cycling if they're out there in those conditions.
04-03-20, 09:43 AM
#36
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Depends.
I get a lot higher response rate if I wave with only one finger but they tend to be unfriendly. A lot more responses but not many smiles.
I get a lot higher response rate if I wave with only one finger but they tend to be unfriendly. A lot more responses but not many smiles.
__________________
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
04-03-20, 04:12 PM
#37
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I'm a country boy and grew up in an environment where everyone waved because you always knew who they were. To not acknowledge people seems more than just rude. If someone stops their car for me on the bike or car, I give them a vigorous wave and a toothy smile.
04-03-20, 04:49 PM
#38
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After I moved up here to Marin, Ca. from the East Bay (El Cerrito) I found that roadies in Marin mostly do not wave. Now, roadies in Marin many times are not from Marin, so I always take that into account.
I'm a goofball, so I wave a lot, sing to myself, talk to the birds and squirrels and whatnot. I also try to flash a peace sign for cars who recognize my presence in traffic.
Why not be friendly, right?
Now when someone pulls some aggro BS, be they cyclist or motorist or even (very rarely) a pedestrian, I have some choice combination curse words at the ready.
I'm a goofball, so I wave a lot, sing to myself, talk to the birds and squirrels and whatnot. I also try to flash a peace sign for cars who recognize my presence in traffic.
Why not be friendly, right?
Now when someone pulls some aggro BS, be they cyclist or motorist or even (very rarely) a pedestrian, I have some choice combination curse words at the ready.
04-03-20, 04:54 PM
#39
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Maybe it's the small town boy in me, but I wave or nod at everyone unless there is a steady procession of people. I say hello to strangers when I pass them on the sidewalk when there's not a steady procession of people. I don't know why, but it seems like the most polite thing to do. I have made some general observations about who is most likely to wave back and who is not.
My wife and I have done a few MUP rides lately where I have put my observations to the test, and my predictions rarely fail me. Older (50ish +) white males on high dollar road bikes are the least likely to wave, head nod or smile. Women and African Americans on almost any kind of bike almost always give a friendly greeting. Almost all people on comfort or cruiser kind of bikes will give a greeting. Everything else falls somewhere in between.
My wife and I have done a few MUP rides lately where I have put my observations to the test, and my predictions rarely fail me. Older (50ish +) white males on high dollar road bikes are the least likely to wave, head nod or smile. Women and African Americans on almost any kind of bike almost always give a friendly greeting. Almost all people on comfort or cruiser kind of bikes will give a greeting. Everything else falls somewhere in between.
I knew exactly how he felt.
04-03-20, 05:06 PM
#40
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Waving at other riders is a habit from my old motorcycle days, I'm usually so glad to be on one of my bikes that I'm actually friendly to other humans for that time.
I ride in regular clothes and notice that if I wave at "full kit roadies", they get annoyed if I catch them seeing my wave towards them. It's one of those "crap, just leave me alone" looks. Which I understand, because I'm like that if I'm not on a bike.
Also, I get passed by roadies that go by without a whisper. I know I'm essentially a traffic cone going only 15 to 16 mph. Lololol.
Now I will say that with so many people not at work, that a whole lot of people out there on foot and on two wheels are waving back at me. I'm not sure how long that will last, though.
I ride in regular clothes and notice that if I wave at "full kit roadies", they get annoyed if I catch them seeing my wave towards them. It's one of those "crap, just leave me alone" looks. Which I understand, because I'm like that if I'm not on a bike.
Also, I get passed by roadies that go by without a whisper. I know I'm essentially a traffic cone going only 15 to 16 mph. Lololol.
Now I will say that with so many people not at work, that a whole lot of people out there on foot and on two wheels are waving back at me. I'm not sure how long that will last, though.
04-03-20, 11:13 PM
#41
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Unless it's crowded, I nearly always try to catch the eye and make some kind of polite acknowledgement to pedestrians or other folks on wheels. So many people dislike cyclists when they get back in their cars, I figure it helps to try shift their experience to something positive.
04-04-20, 07:56 AM
#43
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I pretty much wave at all adults walking or riding. I dont bother waving at the head down roadies.
04-05-20, 10:19 AM
#44
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After a long ride yesterday I’m convinced the wave rate is up.
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04-05-20, 11:37 AM
#45
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I have always been fascinated with human behavior and response. As a young teen I was doing "Jackass" and "Impractical Joker" kind of stuff around the neighborhood.
I wonder how many of the people who refuse to wave would react if the approaching rider insulted rather than wave.
I wonder how many of the people who refuse to wave would react if the approaching rider insulted rather than wave.
