cmschmie

A wave or nod to:
Other roadies.
People that wave at me first.
Cars that let me pass before they leave the intersection and/or that wait to pass me until I wave them around.

merlin504

Yeah wave or nod to any cyclist who looks my way, depending what my speed is. Usually a nod to vehicles who look at me.

I remember when I was younger, about 1 in every 10 cyclist would wave/nod my way, however, when I was wearing my cycling gear 9/10 cyclists would wave/nod. It got to the point where I knew which ones didn't acknowledge me and I started to ignore them. I don't get how you can walk/bike by anyone head on and not even look up, unless your doing +20mph

mprelaw

I wait until they're reaching for the shifter before shooting them a wave.

OldsCOOL

I'll keep an eye out for that.

OldsCOOL

The guys that have bikeface real bad.....nahhh. But if in their euphoric painfest they lift a finger or nod, yeah I'm waving.

Essex

LOL!

rebel1916

Only guys on Harleys with OMG patches.

Cookiemonsta

I typically nod or lift my fingers from the drops as a way of saying hi.

Though I only do it when someone greets me first. Though no one greets over here. Too many roadies in Holland, you will be constantly greeting people left and right.

If I know the person, then obviously I greet them a little more elaborately.

Ghazmh

Mostly to folks I see waving at me.

Fly2High

Since I mostly do laps in my neighborhood, I tend to wave to everyone and greet them with a 'Hi' or good morning as well. I figure if I come off polite and they respond, they are acknowledging me and that might make them remember I cycle. This way when they get in the car, they might be more aware and be on the look out for me since they tend to see me the same time of day. Also, it breeds good neighbors. I also like the look I get from runners on the same path as I lap them several times on the loop

Frank

MikeyBoyAz

bubbajoelouie

A wave to drivers who come to a stop to let me ride safely through the cross walk where my bike path crosses public roads with traffic. I appreciate their consideration and patience which I always acknowledge.

la rosa 

motorists who give enough space

cellery

I only wave at the longboarders sliding around the harpin turns on my 18% descent.

Hypno Toad

I find this issue laughable. My wave is partly Minnesota-nice (yes, it's a real thing), partly from the farmer-gene. My grandfathers were both farmers and it was just normal to wave at people - not waving made you a suspicious-character. But I do offer waves to others frequently, other riders (all other bikers), drivers that are not a...holes and sometimes I like to wave at the a...holes too, walkers, joggers, ... I understand the non-wave when climbing or descending, I won't remove my hand for a wave in challenging conditions. I also understand not waving in the city, too many people/bikes.

Two stories about why offering a simple wave can pays off:

My neighbor, who I only knew because I'd wave as I biked by. He moved to North Carolina last fall, he was retired and had two bikes he didn't want to move. He asked me to help find the homes. I was happy to help. One was a late 90's Rock Hopper (gave it to a local charity); the other was a Mondonico. Yep, I have a Mondonico for the price of a friendly wave.

I pass a woman walking a black lab most mornings and we wave to each other. Last week, on the way to work, she let me know that there was a bunch of broken glass ahead. It did help, it would have been hard to see in the early light if she didn't warn me.

Honestly, why it is hard to extent a simple hand gesture to acknowledge each other's existence? Nobody's asking you to stop for coffee and a talk.

badger1

True, but then in the case of 'waving' threads perhaps an exemption is in order? Just think of the entertainment value ...

Dan333SP

Guys, Jens Voigt thinks you should wave to everyone.

I understand that to mean you should wave to other riders, even if they're not on road bikes!

I think that's insane. Why would I wave to a homeless person on a 25 year old huffy? Or the DUI guy on a beat up commuter? That's just disgusting.

Please discuss.

PepeM

Is a nod enough or do I need to use my hand? I am scared of crashing!

Monkey D.Luffy

Hot girls only....



(everyone on the road on a bike).

series1811

If I am riding hard, I may or may not wave. My wave generally consists of two fingers coming off of the bars if I recognize the person. The most social I get riding is group rides. I never wave on those.

Dan333SP

Why not? It sounds like you're a little rude on the bike.


@PepeM, no. It's pretty clear that Jens feels nodding is not enough. You need to wave, but the question remains... do bums and commuters and people with unshaven legs even deserve our attention?

f4rrest

The street sweeper driver always gets a wave from me. Maybe even two!

rjones28 

WWJD

(what would Jens do?)

rjones28 

He would say, shut up and wave.

mapeiboy

I waved to the wild animals/ farm animals ( goat , horse , cow , chicken) alone the route and ignore everyone else .