Experiment - Waving not drowning

[martint235]

Now there's been a few threads on here about waving/smiling/chatting to other cyclists on your commute and whether or not you should do it and whether or not it makes the world a better place. So today I decided to conduct an experiment, hardly empirical but nevertheless I would wave at every cyclist I saw.

The results were a roughly 60/40 split between those that ignored me and those that waved back. However the most telling result of al is that I arrived at work feeling absolutely no different from every other day of commuting. Not happier, not more confident in my fellow cyclists or even my fellow humans.

So I think the conclusion is waving is like helmets. Do what you want but don't expect others to follow blindly.

 

[Wightdragon]

It's not always easy to wave back. Descending at 40+ i would rather keep my hands on the bars!! Same when I'm gasping my way uphill. There may be reasons other than rudeness!

 

[RedRider]

Today I shall blow kisses towards all passing cyclists. Will report back later!

 

[Wightdragon]

Today I shall blow kisses towards all passing cyclists. Will report back later!

That would work for me.

 

[winjim]

I'm gonna say eff you to every cyclist I see on the way to work today, I'll let you know what happens!

 

[Sharky]

I always wave when I cross with another cyclist, except when I am distracted by the traffic or bright sun. I even wave to one cyclist when I am in the car on my way to work!

But what annoys me is when a cyclist catches you and passes you as if you don't exist. Rare is a "good morning" or a "how far have you ridden today". Also irks me when caught during a TT. Always used to be a "keep going" or "dig in" or "almost there". On the rare occasions when I catch somebody and they are a club mate, I might shout "thanks for waiting" and have a laugh with them at the finish.

 

[ScotiaLass]

I'll smile and say hello. I don't expect it in return, but I feel I'm being polite to acknowledge others.
There are times when I don't; when I'm descending a hill (or ascending for that matter!), or concentrating on staying on the MTB!

I've had many a lovely conversation (when stopped for a break) with other cyclists about routes and bikes

 

[byegad]

Here in NE England most, well almost all, people wave, nod or speak when encountering another rider on the road. So long as that road is a rural one. In town many will still nod or flick a finger wave but as we are all watching the traffic and trying to stay alive the response rate is much lower.

 

[PeteXXX]

Next time I'm out on the bike I'm going to wave my helmet at everyone..
I'll let you know the results later.

 

[numbnuts]

A wave is as good as a nod to a blind horse,
I have no idea what this has got to do with this thread

 

[Sara_H]

I give a nod and a enigmatic smile - that way if there's no response I don't look like a nobber.

 

[Milkfloat]

I think around here the split is 80/20 for a greeting on a weekend ride. Commuting the opposite. I don't tend to bother on the commute, but at the weekend everyone gets a cheery hello and a palm raised from the bars.

 

[w00hoo_kent]

So I think the conclusion is waving is like helmets. Do what you want but don't expect others to follow blindly.

Were you worried @ianrauk was getting a bit short of readies?

I presume you're going to give every cyclist the finger tomorrow and see if that changes your mood when you arrive? :-)

 

[ianrauk]

I'm a bit disappointed in this thread after been called to it.

For one, it's my big lumpen norvern friend who started it.. two.. he's a big moaning minnie anyway. Three. He's not actually crying into his bidon that some other cyclist didn't return his greeting then posting about it on the forum as if it's the end of the world.
Therefore, no Kerching.

But there's time yet...

 

[ianrauk]

Next time I'm out on the bike I'm going to wave my helmet at everyone..
I'll let you know the results later.

Careful Pete... you can get arrested for that.....