Hand gestures

[Markymark]

So after a, most likely, common number of close passes on my commute in central London , I usually either throw a hand up and if I am being harassed have been known to extend the middle finger! This usually makes me feel better for a second but even throwing up a hand has caused cars to slow, windows opened and verbal abuse.my opinion is that this doesn't make any difference as I doubt any of them drive off thinking they will be more considerate to cyclists becuas of this.

My New Years resolution is now to only give thumbs up instead. Swap the stick for the carrot. Whenever I feel a car hanging back or overtaking safely when appropriate, quick thumbs up. I am now collecting acknowldegments from the drivers ( hazard lights thanks etc). My new game is counting the number of middle fingers I would have given compared to thumbs up I do give, and to my surprise, the thumbs up seem to win around 2:1.

Hopefully those that are thanked are more likely to keep up the good work and maybe even pass it on, or maybe that's just me being optimistic. Either way, I come home usually feeling less wound up.

 

[BentMikey]

You're right, the carrot is waaaay more effective than the stick.

I don't pull fingers at other road users, but after a close pass I'll almost always make a pushing out to the right motion and a toot on the airzound. Most people do learn from this that they were too close, and they usually do better next time. What's more, all those around also learn from it just because of my reaction. Occasionally a driver doesn't like being told they were too close, but this is usually no more than a pointing left gesture or a swerve right to the kerb. IME most of these still overtake with far more room when I next encounter them.

I'd say I'd give 10-100 thumbs up for every too close overtake. Bad driving is in the tiny minority, IMO.

 

[Drago]

I've tried pulling faces and dribbling like an escaped mental patient.

 

[cyberknight]

I've tried pulling faces and dribbling like an escaped mental patient.

Must resist temptation to reply with a witty one liner regarding drago acting as he does all the time anyway

 

[mangid]

I also find the carrot approach relaxes me, and I thank far more than I'm annoyed at. So totally agree, spread the cheer.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

If it makes you fell better, and thus keeps you on your bike, go for it.

I draw the line at thanking people for merely driving with due care and attention.

 

[Drago]

Must resist temptation to reply with a witty one liner regarding drago acting as he does all the time anyway

Acting? Dribbling and deformed is my normal look!

 

[Hip Priest]

I try not to gesture or shout at drivers at all. I've given two head shakes so far this year though, both for last-ditch pinch-point passes.

 

[Cycling Dan]

For abuse i will stick up the middle finger.
Close passes a head shake and maybe a comment to myself.

 

[MrJamie]

I like to wave and thank drivers quite frequently, for waiting patiently when they could have dangerously squeezed through. I don't know if it encourages them to be nicer around cyclists, but the positive interactions certainly boost my enjoyment during the ride which is plenty enough

 

[glenn forger]

At a very narrow road on my commute I held a hand up palm facing out to allow a driver to go first as he approached me. It confused him and he stopped, I should have used a beckoning gesture I guess.

 

[Guyincognito76]

Giving passing drivers the finger is bang out of order in any, and all situations... You flick them the Vs, we are not the 51st state!

 

[Matthew_T]

I am now giving more thumbs up than I am having close passes. I dont know if this is just a winter thing, but the driving in the past 2 months has really improved. Either that or I am not bothered by it anymore.

 

[glenn forger]

It's also difficult to thank a wide overtake, a thumbs up could look like a right turn indicator. Flashing jacket LEDs that say "Thank you driver!" would be better. Or "Cock off, knobber" as the circumstances dictate.

 

[Matthew_T]

It's also difficult to thank a wide overtake, a thumbs up could look like a right turn indicator. Flashing jacket LEDs that say "Thank you driver!" would be better. Or "Cock off, knobber" as the circumstances dictate.

When I thank people, it is a momentary signal. When turning, I do multiple shoulder checks (if there is traffic) and signal for a while. However, signalling doesn mean that someone will let you out, as I found out when changing lanes and a woman kept overtaking me. She actually realised that I had been indicating for a while and apologised. She seemed to be frustrated with herself that she hadnt allowed me to change lanes (I saw her talking to her kid).