Paul Cooley, of Carfree Family, brings up the topic of greeting fellow cyclists on the road. He wonders just which party is being the “self-important asshole” — a waver or a non-waver: “So I’m putting the question out there to the blogosphere: why the grim expression and lack of good cheer?”
I generally try to acknowledge other cyclists. I have yet to discover a pattern; I’ve been snubbed by all sorts of cyclists.
I wonder if this doesn’t have something to do with how cyclists are generally viewed in a car-centric culture. I suppose we have to first determine what the stereotype(s) is (are). Here’s a stab: Cyclists are either annoying sport-bikers playing in the road on their fancy, over-priced toys, or socio-economic losers, or pain-in-the-ass enviro-nuts. Who wants to be a part of any of those groups? So, a hypothesis: American cyclists tend not to wave to each other out of a vague sense of embarrassment.
Hmmmmm… Discuss.
Comments 8
I snub all law breaking cyclists.
If I just saw your roll through the stop sign or red light then you are not getting any recognition from me.
Now if by some miracle you are riding at night AND HAVE LIGHTS or STOP AT A STOP SIGN. I will cheer and clap for you like a school girl at a Hannah Montana concert.
Posted 15 Dec 2008 at 10:55 am ¶Cyclists in the UK wave at each other too, though some are “too cool” to wave back.
It doesn’t really happen here, though, as there are simply too many other cyclists.
Posted 15 Dec 2008 at 11:57 am ¶Robert…
David… It’s a cultural thing, I think, i.e. a cycling culture thing. Numbers would certainly play a role. And those numbers arrive in part because of a thriving cycling culture. I’m working up an idea here. Stay tuned.
Posted 15 Dec 2008 at 12:26 pm ¶Robert said: “I snub all law breaking cyclists.”
Me too! I used to try to say something to wrongway riders, but that nearly always results in snarling abuse. I think they know it’s illegal, but screw the rest of us, they’ve decided it is better.
Like Robert, I get very excited when I see a cyclist obeying the law… and even moreso when I see one in an assertive lane position.
As a motorcyclist, I’ve always liked the brotherhood wave. Andy, I think you’re onto something with societal perceptions of cyclists. We don’t have a sense of solidarity because our uses and behaviors on the bike vary widely. The various subgroups often get disgusted with one-another and even blame each other for our problems. Social similarities to some other ostracized minorities come to mind.
That said, Orlando’s cycling community is pretty friendly.
BTW, motorcyclists don’t wave during Bike Week and Biketoberfest… they’d never have 2 hands on the handlebars.
Posted 15 Dec 2008 at 1:42 pm ¶Keri… It would be interesting to considering this issue from the perspective of place, i.e. where in the U.S. do cyclists wave at each other and what differences do those places make? In Springfield, not much waving. I think much of this is about group identity.
Posted 15 Dec 2008 at 1:51 pm ¶In Germany there’s a lot of waving- Gernmans are like that. There’s less of a stigma attached to cycling as well.
Posted 16 Dec 2008 at 2:25 am ¶Sport cyclists don’t wave though. This is subject of a lot of discussion amongst other cyclists. Unfortunately no-one knows the true reason because why because they don’t talk either.
I’ve entertained myself with this question several times. I consider myself to be one of those folks that should be classified as a sport cyclist. I wear lycra….by choice, even when commuting to work. For the distance I ride and the amount of sweat I generate, it’s just more comfortable and the cycling jerseys have generous pockets for carrying all my “stuff”.
I do make it a point to wave and speak to everyone when it is safe and practical to do so. Here’s my theory and unofficial findings on the matter.
First, I’m much more likely to get a return wave when I’m on the tandem with my wife. I’m guessing that it’s such a novelty that it helps break the ice. I know for a fact that it’s a conversation starter.
Second, I feel like I’m more likely to get an acknowledgment from single riders than those riding in a group. I’ve suspected that there might be two reasons for this. One could be just the social nature of a group. People being involved in interactions with those they’re with and just not paying attention to extraneous distractions. Secondly, however, I know that when I ride in a paceline I’ve got to pay attention to the wheel ahead of me to be safe. The second reason that I think a lot of guys don’t wave is that instead of being out for a ride, they’re in the middle of a “workout” of some kind…hill climbs, intervals, speed, etc., that is both physically taxing and requires some degree of focus and concentration.
With that said, however, there is no excuse for not returning a greeting. If you ever catch me doing that on purpose, you’ve got my permission to throw a rock at me!
Posted 16 Dec 2008 at 10:25 am ¶Tracy… You’re one of those guys I refer to as a heroic commuter. And I mean that with respect. You’re doing something much different than I do. I also like that you enjoy a full range of cycling activities. That’s a good thing. So your thoughts on “waving” are especially interesting to me. Any examination of this topic needs to take into account the kind of details and differences you’ve highlighted here.
Posted 16 Dec 2008 at 11:32 am ¶