genejockey 

I don't generally wave at anyone, but I'm an introverted misanthrope - with the exception that I always give a wave and a thumbs up to motorists who cut me slack when I have to change lanes in front of them. I'm trying to condition them to be nice to cyclists.

Ghazmh

Are you serious Larry?

indyfabz

Wow! Good news. I remember an older proposal in OR. It may have been for Portland only. It got shot down.

I live in Philly. Would make total sense here with our narrow streets in many places. Helps you keep ahead of traffic and things flowing better.

BTinNYC 

Waving to 'em, heck, how about running a half dozen stop signs and red lights with 'em?

I got behind two off-duty cops on their Harleys here in Queens, then in between them, and then all 3 of us are riding...the way I ride! Slowing at an intersection to check if there's traffic and then rolling through. It was great until we got on long straight part and they dropped me with a wave.

gringomojado

I nod

gm

gringomojado

Wallace used to be known for brothels!

gm

shelbyfv

I'd defer to Larry's expertise in this area. I expect he's had more LEO intercourse than any 10 of the rest of us. Safe to say there will be plenty more in the future so it's good he has a plan.

indyfabz

Yep. Served the silver mining workers. A good deal of bike tourism now thank to some trails in the area.

There is a huge remediation site between Lookout Pass and Mullan. There’s actually a pullout site on I-90 where you can stop and view it. There are signs along the Couer d’Alenes Trail between Mulan and Wallace warning you not to disturb the soil. The trail itself is basically a remediation solution. Pave over contaminated ground that the railroad used to haul ore.

Butte, MT is another town where brothels were numerous. That was a big center of copper mining. Still lots of cool architecture there. The last operating brothel on Mercury Street has been preserved as a historic site.

Barry2 

And California isn't one of them.




Barry

Ghazmh

I’m sure this thread is his attempt to drive a nonsensical discussion right into P&R territory.

tomato coupe

I think that means you're treating it like a stop sign, not a yield sign.

indyfabz

Better description, Thanks. The realization hit me as I was sitting at a red light for at least a minute with no traffic in sight.

shrtdstncrdr

I only waive to Citroen drivers.

veganbikes

I wave but 3 of my fingers and my thumb for some reason don't come up and my hand turns around and goes backwards.

rsbob 

Having a law enforcement officer in the family and knowing the dangers the face I wave at all cops. In their very stressful jobs, a little good will goes a long way.

Waved at a sheriff today and got a nice one in return.

rydabent

I usually wave to all adults, and especially to any policeman.

shelbyfv

Yep.

VegasJen

I often ride on the shoulder of a busy highway. I wave kind of as an acknowledgement so they know I'm out there considering they're likely to be the first on scene if anything bad happens.

SurferRosa

Camilo

Is that a question you need to ask?

Reflector Guy

Same here. I've been "profiled" a couple times, and it wasn't pleasant. One time it was particularly terrifying. I'm now the total opposite of Larry.... I don't look at them and prefer they don't even notice me.

ClydeClydeson

They know exactly why you are waving at them, and are probably at risk of ocular injuries from the severe eye-rolls that follow.

In reality, attracting any attention from the man is a bad idea. I have the skin tone that would allow me to get away with it 99 times out of 100, but I don't like to give them the mistaken impression that I wish to have any further interaction with them. Avoiding eye contact or other acknowledgement raises my safe-passing chances to approximately 100 times out of 100.

LarrySellerz

When I was younger I had some very silly ideas about the police. I thought that the institution was bad for society, and thus cops are not warranted and should be "othered" or even met with derision in hopes of making them quit their jobs, or something along those lines. My worldview wasn't very consistent and I knew it was BS, but I still thought ACAB. Now I am under the impression that its best for cops and the communities they serve to be in general on friendly terms, for what its worth I get more waves back from cops than I do cyclists. Most wave back.

ClydeClydeson

@LarrySZ

Cops are people, there are good ones and bad ones. Sadly, as cops the bad ones are in a position to propagate tremendous evil (police brutality, racism, abuse of power, corruption, spousal abuse...) and are usually covered for by other cops. Even the so called 'good' cops are generally silent when they see their colleagues behaving badly, and are often punished for speaking out by the leadership. Sure, some cops are 'good' but it's still unwise to seek unnecessary contact with them. The good cops are the remaining but dwindling fresh flesh on an apple that is rotten to the core.

bikehoco

Criminals and their enablers hate cops ….. until they need one.