SMUG

[magnatom]

Sycling Makes Us Grin!

I was having my shower this morning when I got to thinking how some of those who grump about cyclists often use the 'I hate cyclists because they are smug' line.

Yes we are and for good reason! However, it also got me thinking about the fact that most of the memorable (for the motorist) cyclist/driver interactions are negative, i.e. cyclists shouting at drivers for poor driving, drivers shouting at cyclists for poor cycling etc.

So why don't we turn SMUG into something positive. Why don't we make sure that at least once on every journey we give a driver/passenger a smile or a wave or some other positive interaction. Something that will cheer them up and will show them how much we enjoy our cycle commuting. It might even make a few consider joining us.

Post your SMUG interactions here.

Today my SMUG moment was when I was stopped at lights and a car pulled up with some dance music coming from it. I just had to start dancing to the beat a little. Made the chap in the car smile!

(You can't see me dance in the video....sorry! )

 

[BrumJim]

My cheery greetings to fellow cyclists. And friendly wildlife ("Morning Ducks, as they sit beak tucked into their back, half asleep). And even a cheery thanks to a dog yesterday as (s)he stepped out of the way of my bike.

 

[scouserinlondon]

Two today for me. One smile and wave at a lady who waved me through a narrow line of traffic.

So to return the karma I stopped for a van who was turning right across a stream of traffic into a side road. He gave me a cheery beep and a thumbs up.

 

[thomas]

Today my SMUG moment was when I was stopped at lights and a car pulled up with some dance music coming from it. I just had to start dancing to the beat a little. Made the chap in the car smile!

The men in white coats have been informed

 

[hackbike 666]

I generally do anyway as I find it can be a plus if I can keep those in their tin boxes happy if im not growling or snarling at them if you know what I mean.

 

[Absinthe Minded]

I tend try and let people out, give them a smile and all that and it's returned, more often than not.

It's a bit of a pain seeing as momentum is king when you're on the bike but I think it's worth stopping for peds and other road users when you can.

 

[magnatom]

Oh yes, I generally smile at people who hold back form me, let me out etc. However, what I am talking about is more random smiling and waving and dancing. Show them how mad happy we are!

 

[scouserinlondon]

Oh yes, I generally smile at people who hold back form me, let me out etc. However, what I am talking about is more random smiling and waving and dancing. Show them how mad happy we are!

Actually today I was a bit loved up.

Went to the gym before work and combined with the nice weather I was grinning like a loon on the ride in.

 

[XmisterIS]

I find the thing that most endears me to car drivers is giving way when they have priority in the road! I also acknowledge when someone gives way to me.

It's surprising the number of cyclists who don't do either of those things.

 

[2Loose]

I tend to do this kind of thing in an effort to redress the 'cyclists=bad' attitude as well.
From gesturing cars to overtake when they can't see around a bend or past parked cars but I can, letting cars out of junctions with a smile and wave, showing appreciation of careful driving etc.

Trying to be a good ambassador for cycling where ever we can is often rewarding when cagers do respond positively.

 

[fossyant]

I'm quite happy with the 'give and take' attitude... even joked with a pedestrian that was half asleep and walked out in the road - I'd already stopped.... "Nearly" I said... he was very appologetic.

Sumgness comes in when there has been a major traffic hold up, severe weather, and you still get to your destination within that 'couple of minutes' window.

 

[jonny jeez]

Not trying to look smug (see what i did there!)

I generally alway's ride with this outlook ...and i dont get into many scrapes (maybe as a consequence). I make a massive effort to thank bikers, cars, lorries and busses for even the smallest of favour's, and they repay me later in my travels (or the next day..as we are all bound to meet again)

But if your looking for extra-genial occurances. I stopped at the lights at earls court, it was packed with cars and the lady in the car to my side was putting lippy on in her mirror (stationary).

We just sort of caught each other's eyes and I instantly put two thumbs up and mouthed "perfect". She thought it was funny...I guess you had to be there.

Jonny.

Mag..interesting what men think about in the shower isnt it?

 

[levad]

The men in white coats have been informed

I fear that he IS the man in the white coat

 

[Arch]

I fear I embarrassed a fellow cyclist this morning. He was riding behind his son (or maybe even grandson) who was making rather heavy weather of it. I passed them both, spinning easily (or at least trying to give that impression) and heard the chap say "Can't you pedal any faster!?" to the boy...

I couldn't help it, I was just going faster than them....

 

[Crackle]

Always nod a thanks or give a thumbs up to people who overtake me carefully or have to wait for a decent passing place. I even gave a thumbs to a bloke who braked sharply in the acceleration lane after seeing me at the last minute, his look of panic was a picture. I think his wife got whiplash from the braking, so I felt he deserved a thumbs up for stopping the car in short order.

Though today I am not feeling smug after my ride, merely ill, such is life.