|
I always wave to courteous drivers when coming to an intersection unless it is on a descent that I need to manage with both hands. For drivers giving me ample space while overtaking, I do not wave unless they are passing slowly and can directly see me (i.e., not via a mirror) when they are alongside. Otherwise, a raised arm in the rear-view mirror may be mistaken for a complaint / insult / retort.
|
Originally Posted by WaveyGravey
(Post 23710589)
I always thank with a wave courteous drivers.
|
Originally Posted by indyfabz
(Post 23710658)
Rewarding proper behavior, whether legally mandated or not, is like awarding participation trophies. As someone who walks a lot, I’m always amazed by pedestrians who wave to motorists to thank them for stopping at lights and stop signs. “Thank you for following the traffic code and not running over me.”
|
Originally Posted by VegasJen
(Post 23710908)
Hmmm. I guess I see your logic but not really down with it. Yes, they are just following the rules but I'm acknowledging that courtesy. And I say it's a courtesy because, law or not, when was the last time you saw or heard of a motorist being cited for an infraction (short of causing injury or death)? The fact is I *am* thankful they were following the traffic code and not running me over, because the further fact is when I'm on a bike and they're in a car/truck/RV/semi or what have you, I am at a serious disadvantage. And the laws of man do not trump the laws of physics.
Acknowledgement is best reserved for people who go above and beyond. |
Originally Posted by VegasJen
(Post 23710908)
Hmmm. I guess I see your logic but not really down with it. Yes, they are just following the rules but I'm acknowledging that courtesy. And I say it's a courtesy because, law or not, when was the last time you saw or heard of a motorist being cited for an infraction (short of causing injury or death)? The fact is I *am* thankful they were following the traffic code and not running me over, because the further fact is when I'm on a bike and they're in a car/truck/RV/semi or what have you, I am at a serious disadvantage. And the laws of man do not trump the laws of physics.
|
I usually flash a peace sign at people who are actually paying attention, because they are a small minority.
|
Originally Posted by VegasJen
(Post 23710908)
Hmmm. I guess I see your logic but not really down with it. Yes, they are just following the rules but I'm acknowledging that courtesy. And I say it's a courtesy because, law or not, when was the last time you saw or heard of a motorist being cited for an infraction (short of causing injury or death)? The fact is I *am* thankful they were following the traffic code and not running me over, because the further fact is when I'm on a bike and they're in a car/truck/RV/semi or what have you, I am at a serious disadvantage. And the laws of man do not trump the laws of physics.
Since they are supposed to "not run you over", it's kind of odd to thank them for doing what they are supposed to do. (I might "thank" a driver who is giving up their right of way but not for every "sufficient" pass.)
Originally Posted by VegasJen
(Post 23710411)
I live in a smaller, rural community with few bike lanes and no bike paths (that I know of). When I ride, I do try to ride the few roads that actually do have a marked lane, but there is no way for me to get to those roads without traveling unmarked roads.
So when I'm on my bike and a vehicle makes a noticeable effort to give me room as they pass, I always try to give them a "thank you" wave. I figure it's just good karma and helps dispell the jack*** cyclist stereotype. So do wave or otherwise acknowledge courteous drivers? Do you do anything for those drivers that "buzz" you? I don't really care what you do but the impact of what you do is likely much less than you think. People (even drivers) in "smaller, rural communities" generally wave a lot. There might even be a higher chance of you knowing the people you are waving at. So, it's possible that the location makes doing this more sensible/normal. |
Yes
|
Originally Posted by JW Fas
(Post 23710570)
Not if your camera footage gets them ticketed. Sure, they might do it again because they enjoy paying fines and having points on their license, but repeat offenses only stack the punishments.
Let's get real. |
Originally Posted by VegasJen
(Post 23710411)
So do wave or otherwise acknowledge courteous drivers? Do you do anything for those drivers that "buzz" you?
Drivers who buzz me get the bird. |
Originally Posted by indyfabz
(Post 23710926)
Do you thank everyone who watches where they walk so as not to run into you?
Acknowledgement is best reserved for people who go above and beyond.
Originally Posted by I Like To Ride
(Post 23710931)
When you are driving do you also wave and complement drivers who drive within legal speed limit and stop at red lights and stop signs ?. Sorry but I disagree with your logic. I shouldn't have to wave and complement drivers who pass me safely because they are under legal obligation to follow safe passing distances.
But you do you.
Originally Posted by njkayaker
(Post 23710965)
It's not really a "courtesy" (some sort of optional behavior). Since it's not something you'd do as a driver, you are characterizing being a bicyclist as some sort of exception that required special treatment. By "rewarding" them, you are suggesting they are doing something they don't have to do. You might be reinforcing the common idea of drivers that you don't really belong there.
Since they are supposed to "not run you over", it's kind of odd to thank them for doing what they are supposed to do. (I might "thank" a driver who is giving up their right of way but not for every "sufficient" pass.) Your language here suggests you consider yourself a "second class citizen" (using roads to get to "where you are supposed to be"). I suspect most drivers "make a noticeable effort to give me room as they pass" because they are terrified you are going to "swerve into them" (and prefer you not be there at all). How many of these drivers are even going to see you wave at them while they drive away? I don't really care what you do but the impact of what you do is likely much less than you think. People (even drivers) in "smaller, rural communities" generally wave a lot. There might even be a higher chance of you knowing the people you are waving at. So, it's possible that the location makes doing this more sensible/normal. |
Originally Posted by JustinOldPhart
(Post 23711014)
I had to laugh at that. I don't know where you live but, where I live, the police are not going to take your video in as evidence, spend time examining and analyzing that evidence, chase down/locate the offender, and issue tickets. They have much more pressing issues; traffic infringements rank very low.
Let's get real. |
Absolutely, when I see a driver see me and make an effort to be courteous while not doing foolish things that would negatively impact other folks, I will generally always wave in thanks. I know I’m vulnerable, and I appreciate when drivers recognize that and make an effort to not kill me.😀
|
Originally Posted by flangehead
(Post 23710659)
I use a helmet mirror to maintain situational awareness of what's coming up behind me. My practice (which isn't 100%; sometimes my attention is up front or my hands aren't available..)
Hey! Me Too! I epically wave at the big guys that move all the way over to the other lane. (I find semi drivers the best guys to share the road with in my part of fly over country.) |
This thread really shows people’s true colors. Not that they are really hidden.
Having a social science background (and a few others) I believe in positively reinforcing good behavior. And if you don’t believe positive reinforcement works, then the earth might as well be flat. |
I do wave when drivers are overtly courteous. Everyone who’s watching and does the right thing gets a peace sign and I say thanks out loud. It’s important to reward good behavior. Folks who blatantly aren’t get a different response and an appropriate gesture of my choosing, and I make sure they can hear me
I actually talk, shout rather, more than I might imagine. It’s made a huge difference in altering marginal behavior. Every time I holler at someone who’s not paying attention and they do what I ask I say thanks. Surprises me every time it works I’m otherwise always trying to keep too much arm movement to a minimum. For years. In real life I’m very composed, but I’m not shy on the bike and like to leave it on the road if I can. The girlfriend freaks out a little bit when I’ve been too candid about this and that arising I also pointedly leave extra room for cyclists when I’m driving, and I usually look in the mirror but nobody waves |
Originally Posted by JW Fas
(Post 23711073)
It's worked for me many times...
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. ~Sagan |
In Hawaii, waving when driving is the expected procedure. Mostly when merging but anytime there is a courtesy. Or throw a shaka. Failure to wave is treated as disrespect.
|
If someone is courteous to me, on a bike, in a car or in person, I throw out a "thank you" or a "peace" sign. I always try to be courteous and polite. Please, Thank you are always used. Sir and Mam as well.
|
Sometimes.
In town, it's too busy. Out of town, almost everyone is courteous here. We are "Wisconsinice." When they see me coming down a hill and wait at a 4-way stop sign when they don't need to, THEN I give them the wave and a smile. |
Originally Posted by VegasJen
(Post 23711067)
And no, I don't consider myself a second class citizen.
Originally Posted by VegasJen
(Post 23711067)
Simply acknowledging how vulnerable I am to the inattentive and discourteous.
Originally Posted by VegasJen
(Post 23711067)
Both of your posts fail to take in one key factor. When I'm driving my car or walking on a sidewalk, I am roughly equal in circumstances to those around me. When I'm on an unmarked road with vehicular traffic I am little more than a potential bug on the windshield. What they're *supposed* to do and what they *can* do are two vastly different things.
I suspect many (if not most) people are doing some form of what you are advocating anyway (even if it's not at the same frequency). |
Originally Posted by VegasJen
(Post 23710411)
I live in a smaller, rural community with few bike lanes and no bike paths (that I know of). When I ride, I do try to ride the few roads that actually do have a marked lane, but there is no way for me to get to those roads without traveling unmarked roads.
So when I'm on my bike and a vehicle makes a noticeable effort to give me room as they pass, I always try to give them a "thank you" wave. I figure it's just good karma and helps dispell the jack*** cyclist stereotype. So do wave or otherwise acknowledge courteous drivers? Do you do anything for those drivers that "buzz" you? |
Originally Posted by njkayaker
(Post 23711276)
The language you use suggests otherwise.
Waving won't help you here at all. Your posts fail to realize that waving isn't going to do anything to make you safer. You are waving at the wrong people (people who aren't the problem). Wave if you want to but implying that it's useful doesn't make much sense. I suspect many (if not most) people are doing some form of what you are advocating anyway (even if it's not at the same frequency). |
Originally Posted by spelger
(Post 23711432)
i don't think that was the intent of the post. waving was just to acknowledge that the driver was good about the pass.
Originally Posted by spelger
(Post 23711432)
in the office where i work i don't have to empty my office garbage can, we hired someone to do that. but when he comes by about an hour after lunch i say thanks. do i need to even though that is his job? no, but it is courteous and it spreads good karma, which i think is the intent of the post.
It's not the same kind of thing. What would be more equivalent is having the person who you "hired" waving to you for giving them room to do their job. You waving here is like the driving waving to you riding your bike. Many drivers don't think you are supposed to be there. Many drivers scared you are going to "swerve" in front of them. By waving to reward normal, legal behavior, you may be reinforcing this (saying "thanks for special treatment"). Regardless, not many drivers who have just passed you are likely to notice the waving. Wave if you want (as I said) but don't expect it to be doing much. ================ Are you waving to every driver who gives you "enough" room? Seems it's not those people who are the problem. (I don't think flipping the bird to people who don't give you enough room (like some suggest) is a good idea.) ================ "Waving" threads presume to offer an "insight" with the idea that (experienced) people haven't already (and long ago) figured out what works for them. (These "insights" tend to be offered by people with limited experience.) Maybe, waving works for the OP. For other people (in places with more traffic), waving at "every car" might not be practical. |
The one thing I am learning from this thread is me waving is helping to offset the stereotype of some cyclists.
|
| All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:00 AM. |
Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.