SpeedGracer

Hi everyone!

I'm a totally newbie and was hoping for some clarification. I've been riding around town and in general cars have been more accommodating than expected (could be the fact that I'm toting around a two year old in a side car). However, every time I pass a bike and say hello, nod, smiles, etc. I get no response. I'm so bummed! Is there an unwritten rule about not speaking to other cyclists?

Grace

Abneycat

Totally situational, but it seems like cyclists are quite the divided bunch sometimes. Considering the amount of sub-groups in cycling, depending on the level of segregation in your city you might have a hard time getting a response from anyone dissimilar in riding style and bike to you, honestly.

cdotbois

Nope. Though for some it's an unspoken rule.

Edit: It would have been funny if nobody replied.

SweetLou

Serious roadies don't seem to acknowledge me, but everyone else does. I have had nice chats with other commuters, a quick nod and hello to others on the MUP when out for a pleasant easy ride, other tourers are always saying hello. I do get an occasional, "You should wear a helmet, it saved my life!."

People on recumbents, I just don't say hi. Something about those weaselly guys bother me.

Jonahhobbes

As a total newbie check that you're riding a bike and not driving a car as that may explain a lot.




Nah most cyclists are great and I've had offers of help to fix flats etc, many times and I always stop myself to offer help. Roadies, (skinny bikes, skinny people, lycra), they are the worst for not aknowledging other cyclists, but they may just be "focused" on their ride rather than rude. Most commuters say hi or wave. You do get some really grumpy ones who will be familiar to many here who might raise a finger from the handle bar on passing if you're lucky Yehuda anyone?

cdotbois

I should add that the other day I was commuting home all fredded out and passed an oncoming roadie. I waved, and he just stared at me through his sunglasses, leaning in as if he was trying to figure out if he knew me. I thought it was such a large response for such a simple gesture. Did he have to think about it that much?

Also recently I saw another roadie stopped off the side of a country road. I hollered if he needed anything from across the way, and he said he was just fixing his chain or some other thing that got garbled with the intermittent traffic. The gist was no, so I said okie doke and that was that.

Both were nice (I think). Conversing while bicycling can just be confusing.

Any bicyclist is hit or miss from my experience. They're just as diverse as anybody on the street, and sometimes you either snag that moment and say hello or you miss it and carry on. Occasionally I don't realize people say hello, or I'm out of breath, or we're both long gone by the time I reply. I never read too much into it.

markhr

No, there is no rule. They're just being rude. Keep smiling and waving, maybe it will rub off and everyone will start doing it.

charly17201

Weaselly???? Come on now, I'll accept that I'm WEIRD - just not weaselly. Besides, I'll always say hi or a least nod or wave instead of ignore another rider. Even those DF guys

CommuterRun

Not many cyclists around here. Pass me and you'll get a smile and, "Hey, how's it going?"

maddyfish

DOn't know about your question, but the child, and Grace, if you are a women, helps alot with cars. My experience people are nicer when you are carrying kids, or are a woman.

A friend of mine commutes with one of those kid carriers that looks like a car seat on the back of his bike, it has a doll with a helmet on it. He says it helps alot.

tarwheel 

When you're driving, do you wave at every car you pass?

For someone who has been cycling a while, seeing another cyclist is not that big a deal. I usually will nod my head or do a quick finger wave if I see another cyclist while out riding, but not always. I might not even notice the other cyclist, or might be short of breath from cranking up a hill. Or I might be paying more attention to the cars to make sure someone doesn't run over me. However, if I do nod at another cyclist and they don't acknowledge me, it's no big deal.

Jonahhobbes

Sorry but the weirdness of carrying Chucky around on the back of your bike, (with a helmet on), surely outway the safety advantage, no?

maddyfish

^^^I won't do it, but he says it's the only way to do it in East St. Louis.

B.T.W. East St. Louis is the worst place I have ever ridden.

climbhoser

Some people are just anti-social. America's a melting pot and while we do have an overriding master culture there are tons and tons of sub-cultures and personalities within it.

There's a roadie I pass every evening that surprised me with a wave before I did! I got used to not be acknowledged by the roadies, but this one (might I say is the fastest and hardest working roadie I ever see) put out the hand first, despite really pushing it!

Then there's the fair weather commuter who finally started grinning at me after about 3 months of passing each other. You can tell he's a roadie in spirit, but has a commuter specific bike and all the eccoutrements. He seems friendly enough, though a bit holier than thou. It's like he didn't believe I was dedicated to the cause until 3 months into it. He didn't realize I had been doing it before, but had just moved so my commute was his, too!

Then there's the walkers. Most walkers give me a nod or at least a confused look. But this one guy always looks at me like I'm some idiot spoiling his peace, I nod or wave and he just bores into me with his eyes. I have speculated more about that guy than any other (I think he has money trouble and walks to clear his head because it's all he's got...it's free and peaceful).

People is what they is! That said, I've met tons of rude cagers....I mean tons.

Jonahhobbes

Ahhh man that is priceless!!! Your friend is a legend

Just imagine the pre-commute check.

Spare Inner tube - check
Multi-tool - check
Rain cape - check
Lunchbox - check
Scary Chucky doll strapped to bike - check!
John Wayne Gacy Jr Clown make up - check
Spoke key - check



When you said in your OP "it helps a lot", (your friends doll), the first thing that sprung to mind was "What with the voices?"


Sorry enough teasing . You've made my day!!! Give my love to your mate and Chucks!!!

I_bRAD

I get different responses from different people depending which bike I'm riding and where!

mkoso

I think people in general are just ruder these days. I know a few people I see out and about that always say hi. Most of the time, it's someone I've never seen before that ignores me and in that case I get rude. I'll say hello, if there's no response, I'll say hello louder and louder and then, I might even add in a little profanity at which point they usually turn around so I know they hear me and then I give a big smile and wave hello. Some of them laugh at me, some look pissed but I think I get the point across! If I see them again, they usually say hi first.

DataJunkie

Most people are pretty friendly around here. It is completely understandable if someone who is training feels less than friendly. Heck, I am a grouch at times and won't return a wave if in a mood. Should you think anything of it? No.
Many commuters are just happy to see another commuter. Many are anti social. Such is life.

rodar y rodar

Yeah, I love the Chucky idea! Kinda reminds me of the folks you hear about from time to time who use manequins to drive in the HOV lanes except it`s legal! Kinda wish I had more trounle with traffic so I`d have reason to do it too.

Grace, that surprises me. I guess it depends on the situation- if there are lots of bikes around, maybe you just don`t get noticed by the others. I know that where I mostly live and ride (about 15 miles outside of a med sized city) there are very few bikes so we all kind of stand out and aknowledge each other- commuters, mtbs, even the occasional roadie passing through on a "training mission". Never seen a recumbent out here but I`d wave if I did. If I wasn`t in a hurry maybe I`d even follow him with hopes to get a good look at his ride.

Bdaisies

I generally mind my own business on the road, but anyone who greets and waves will get a hearty hello and a wave right back from me.

MMACH 5

Some cyclists wave back, some don't.
However, if you're on the side of the road trying to fix a flat or get something out of your eye, you'll be surprised how many cyclists will stop to help, (even the ones who don't wave).
That's been my experience, anyway.

JanMM

"....I'm toting around a two year old in a side car..."
Are you referring to a trailer or a child seat on the back of the bike? Or is it a sidecar, like on a motorcycle?
Never seen one except pictures.

antimatt_er

Anyone who doesn't wave back to a friendly cyclist with a kid in a side car needs social reprogramming. I ride a motorcycle as well and there is definitely an unwritten law that says wave to other bikers (except, if done correctly, it's more of a two-finger salute with the hand nearly scraping the pavement). I seperate real bikers from mid-life crisis Harley riders by their response to a wave. I don't care if you are Paolo Bettini and the TdF starts tomorrow, if somebody waves to you, situation permitting, you wave back. And smile, buster.

Ecks51

Grace, that sucks.

I'd like to see friendlier riders on my route, but there's usually a language barrier and/or they seem to be riding out of necessity not desire (puts most people in a bad mood). I at least nod to everyone I make eye contact with.

I did actually have a nice exchange with a guy in a truck on my way home last night; he thanked me for leaving the right turn lane open for him.

tjspiel

Kudos for leaving the lane open. We should all do stuff like that. Consideration is a two way street.