Is there a Cycle Etiquette?

[voodoochilli]

I'm new to cycling (as an adult) and the other day I cycled just over 11 miles, much of it up hill. As I arrived near my home, this young woman smiled at me with a look of recognition. I certainly didn't know her, but I did see that she stood next to her expensive looking road bike (I think she had stopped to take some photos of the surrounding area). She kept beaming this smile at me and I realised her look of recognition was that of seeing a fellow cyclist. She kind of beckoned me over with her wave and continuing smile...but I certainly didn't know her, and I was cycling at about 20 miles an hour, was incredibly sweaty, and rather shy of people I don't know and just wanted to get home after my ride. So I cycled on after smiling back and waving too (not sure why I did that). Then as I was out of range I wondered, should I have stopped and said hello to this girl who I don't know? Do people with bikes stop and chat each other like that? Is it such a rare occurrence? Was I being rude and betraying some cycling etiquette I am unaware of?

P.S wish I checked my spelling on the title of this post before pressing send

 

[Arjimlad]

Some cyclists are friendly and acknowledge each other but this sounds a bit more friendly than I'm used to - are you Robbie Williams or something ?

She might have been wanting to use your pump!

 

[ianrauk]

There is no cycling etiquette that say's you have to say hello to another cyclist.
If you do then fine, if you don't then that's also fine.
If a cyclist say's hello to you then say hello back... or don't.

 

[voodoochilli]

Some cyclists are friendly and acknowledge each other but this sounds a bit more friendly than I'm used to - are you Robbie Williams or something ?

She might have been wanting to use your pump!

Ha ha! Made my day...

 

[ColinJ]

There is a cycling etiquette, but it is a secret known only to 'real cyclists' and they won't talk to me about it!

 

[ianrauk]

There is a cycling etiquette, but it is a secret known only to 'real cyclists' and they won't talk to me about it!

That's cos real cyclists can't bleedin' climb up that bleedin' hill you live on.

 

[ColinJ]

That's cos real cyclists can't bleedin' climb up that bleedin' hill you live on.

I'm chomping at the bit to see if I can!

(Actually, I know it will take a few weeks to build back up to it. I think that it would all end in tears if I tried right now.)

 

[Globalti]

People certainly stop and chat; they also chat while riding along as a chat helps the miles to go by. There's nothing nicer than meeting other cyclists and stopping for a chinwag and a bit of mutual bike admiration. You pick up good ideas that way as well. I almost always join other cyclists at the cafe, unless they are in a big group.

 

[sheffgirl]

I went for a ride around Damflask a few weeks back when the weather was nice (it seems like ages ago now!) and most of the cyclists who overtook me said 'hi' as they came past. I got overtaken a few times, my excuse is I was getting used to the new bike and enjoying the sunshine (as rare as it is).

 

[Banjo]

Dont expect all cyclists to be sweetnes and light.Quite a few miserable gits on 2 wheels as well as 4.

I slowed down by a cyclist with a puncture and asked if he had everything he needed to fix it was a bit suprised at the sharp reply "of course" .Wish I had stopped and said "good cause Im not lending you anything of mine" but I didnt think of it at the time.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

To the OP: hey, maybe she likes the sweaty look. You had a lost opportunity, there .

 

[voodoochilli]

To the OP: hey, maybe she likes the sweaty look. You had a lost opportunity, there .

Ha! The sweaty man look is hard to pull off effectively, but alas I am a married man.

 

[Globalti]

Ha ha, I once offered assistance to a woman cyclist who was struggling on a very cold windy day to fix a puncture. Her hands were frozen and she was having a bit of a 'mare; I could see it was going badly. Her reaction verged on aggressive: "NO, I'M ALRIGHT THANK YOU I DON'T NEED ANY HELP!" while holding her hands up in a "pushing away" posture.

Strange reaction indeed.

I would offer help to anybody, cyclist or not, woman or man, it's a simple courtesy.

 

[potsy]

should I have stopped and said hello to this girl who I don't know? Do people with bikes stop and chat each other like that?

Depends if you're in London or somewhere warm and friendly like up north

 

[sidevalve]

Depends if you're in London or somewhere warm and friendly like up north

It's probably summat 'ter do wi' deliverin' all that hovis up 1in4 hills when we were lads an' lasses.