Do you thank drivers

[summerdays]

Yes I do with a nod of the head or a huge grin or a verbal thank you. I certainly appreciate it when I receive an acknowledgement when I've waited for someone - today the car driver didn't seem to appreciate the fact that I had pulled over to let them by (on a narrow bit of road on a hill).

Sometimes, just occasionally they annoy me by being over polite... the last example was when it wasn't my priority at a mini roundabout but the person who should have gone was waiting on me and indicating I should go - it just lead to confusion, whereas if we had followed the highway code we would probably (all 3 arms of the RAB) of been through the roundabout quicker.

I would say I thank at least one person on almost all of my trips.

 

[Bman]

I do. Usually its just a nod (with eye contact) and a flash of the fingers without taking my hands away from the bars.


Are you sure its the highway code?

I mean, say a driver, waiting to turn right, is holding up lots of traffic. That traffic is queuing up causing further problems at a RAB 200 meters away. Shouldnt you give way or slow down to allow that driver to turn (if it is safe to do so)?

 

[Bman]

What you dont see in this video is the driver laughing as we take the piss out of the impatient drivers. (and me shrugging my shoulders)

I also give him a nod as he waves.

[media]
]View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCQFi8EUXQ8[/media]

 

[Wobblers]

Oh yes. I find myself thanking motorists far more often than cursing them. It's a useful reminder that there's more good drivers than bad ones.

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

I wrote this last year, and moved it to my blog when I started it in January. Still editing it to get the balance right, but I hope it sends the right message. Let me know if you think not.

 

[Hacienda71]

Always. Manners cost nothing.

 

[HLaB]

I find I'm thanking driver these days for things they really should be doing, ie giving way, not cutting me up etc but I dont think it can hurt and if it has a positive effect on just one of them it'll be worth it

 

[mumbo jumbo]

I wrote this last year, and moved it to my blog when I started it in January. Still editing it to get the balance right, but I hope it sends the right message. Let me know if you think not.

I like it. What sort of feedback have you had from non-cyclists?

 

[Shadow]

Yes - always show appreciation to whoever shows common courtesy, whether on bike, foot or even driving. As IR says, it costs nothing.

 

[matthew]

yes, I frequently raise my hand to the peak of my helmet when drivers have shown patience.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Yes always, give a little wave of the hand.

 

[Maz]

A little courtesy costs nothing.

That's only for women, though. I'd either bow or shake hands.

 

[Fab Foodie]

With all this talk on the forum about being cut up and dangerous drivers etc.. Do you thank drivers for being courteous ?

Always. Drivers are humans too.

 

[skudupnorth]

Oh yes ! Always a good feeling to thank the nice ones !

 

[slowmotion]

I thank them for almost anything. Even someone who doesn't pull out from a side road thirty yards ahead gets a wave or a nod of the head. Some people might say that that just reinforces the image of cyclists being lowly and grateful road users. I'm just thanking them for not being an idiot, and hope that a bit of civility might change their views about cyclists in general. It has nothing to do with being servile.