Sh8ker

I don't usually post in this forum but I was at a park bench shedding some layers this morning when another rider (yellow jacket, road bike) stopped to ask if I (black jacket, blue fixie) was alright. Usually people just scowl at you and size up your bike on that path so it was unexpected and a nice gesture. So from one commuter to another, thanks and good looking out. Hope you had a nice ride.

Sawtooth

Glad to hear it. I passed an older man walking his bike over an overpass on my way in yesterday and asked if he had a mechanical. He replied that he just walks over the overpasses as he becomes somewhat dizzy on them. I seriously would have helped him if he had a problem though. That sort of thing keeps us connected.

The other day I passed a rider going over an overpass and we exchanged pleasant "hello's". I was no further than 10 feet ahead of him when my SS wheel slipped in its quick release and I had to stop and flip the bike over to resituate. He did not even look at me as he passed, let alone ask if I needed help. And this guy was a real rider too, PI jacket and all. It was not like he had no experience on the bike. Yes, I was fine by myself, but what kind of guy just rides by without offering to help? Sheeesh! I curse him and wish him a breakdown of his own.

ken cummings

I have experiences like these on every commute. I greet every cyclist I can make eye contact with and some who do not if they are close enough. Most day workers are friendly, perhaps more so when they understand some english and/or have a green card. Some road racing types might nod or lift a finger. Often as not they just blast past. Women almost always say something. As well young kids. Teenagers not so often. I even greet the types like the cat lady on The Simpsons and they usually gibber back at me.

mihlbach

HMM, I would love to wave or offer help to a cyclist, but I can't recall ever seeing another biker while commuting, except for an occasional kid or two on the sidewalk or driveway in the evening. On the other hand I've stopped and assisted accident victims...always motorists, never a cyclist.

jeff-o

I once fell on my DF (climbing a curb at too shallow an angle - oops!) and for a few seconds lay sprawled on a driveway entrace tangled up and trying to unclip. I was passed by two or three peds, who didn't say a word. I was ok, just a few scratches and a bruised ego, but no one even asked if I was ok.

I can't even fathom doing that to someone else!

rat_factory

i had a similar experience. i was on my not-yet overhualed miyata 310 going downhill in a residential area when the cable slipped out of the bolt on the caliper. i was about to bail, but thought i could actually hop this thing up the curb and slow down on the grass and uphill. that was stupid. when i realized i was what i was actually doing -- heading towards a curb at 30 mph, i quickly turned right and my tire hit the curb at about 45 degrees. i was ejected over the bars, rolled uphill and the momentum actually stood me straight up on my own feet. i thought it was the luckiest thing ever to happen in a bad situation. then i looked down at my knees and saw lots of nice gravel embedded in them. there was no pain, yet, just blood slowly running down my legs. just then some kids and their parents walking a dog went past. the mom was on a cell and the dad was trying to keep the brat kids from throwing their ball too far. did they even see me?? they had to have! luckily they were not my neighbors, but i was appalled by the lack of courtesy. there was no visible damage done to my machine, so i tightened the cable and rode back home. i was very sore later that night.