Etiquette for greeting cyclists
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Etiquette for greeting cyclists
Postby nomadicsoul » Sun Jul 28, 2013 8:52 pm
Fairly new rider here. Went on a good casual trip from Rhodes along Cooks River via Mascot, to Central Station on Saturday. (see it on Strava: http://app.strava.com/activities/70083752" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; )
My friends and I passed many cyclists and started discussing - what's the etiquette when passing another cyclist? Curious what you all do. If someone smiled at us, we smiled back, a friendly hello. If someone looked like they were on a mission we just stayed out the way and didn't bother them. Sometimes we would pass someone and think, were we rude to not acknowledge?
Similar to how bus drivers give each other a little wave as they pass, what is the general consensus on greeting fellow cyclists?
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Re: Etiquette for greeting cyclists
Postby joshnh » Sun Jul 28, 2013 8:58 pm
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Re: Etiquette for greeting cyclists
Postby RonK » Sun Jul 28, 2013 9:01 pm
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Re: Etiquette for greeting cyclists
Postby thecaptn » Sun Jul 28, 2013 9:03 pm
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Re: Etiquette for greeting cyclists
Postby trailgumby » Sun Jul 28, 2013 9:05 pm
If it's the "serious" roadie, looking like they're not looking at you, it's best to leave them to their meditations on their awesomeness.
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Re: Etiquette for greeting cyclists
Postby greatapoc » Sun Jul 28, 2013 9:27 pm
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Re: Etiquette for greeting cyclists
Postby nomadicsoul » Sun Jul 28, 2013 9:34 pm
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Re: Etiquette for greeting cyclists
Postby bychosis » Sun Jul 28, 2013 9:51 pm
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Re: Etiquette for greeting cyclists
Postby Mugglechops » Sun Jul 28, 2013 10:46 pm
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Re: Etiquette for greeting cyclists
Postby g-boaf » Sun Jul 28, 2013 11:39 pm
This is either poor humour, sarcasm or deliberate flame bait.bychosis wrote:If you are wearing the full kit you will scowl at all comers, if you aren't, anything from a finger lifted from the bars or a nod of the head to a cheery vocal greeting is normal and entirely depends on your current free lung capacity, the need to use bicycle controls and the disposition of the oncoming/overtaken rider.
You can always at least manage a wave. Even if it is just a small lift of the hand and a nod of the head. It's not difficult to do. Even for those wearing the full kit... As I usually do.
I generally find the normal clothed ones who scowl angrily and refuse to acknowledge anyone who doesn't conform to their style and way of doing things. You can even say hello and they'll pretend they didn't hear you. I'm not suggesting that you do that (or maybe you do), but a hell of a lot do.nomadicsoul wrote:I quite like the two finger wave or the nod - it's enough to greet but not enough to distract - I generally find the lycra clad 'serious ones' the most - irritable (probably because I'm just in shorts, t-shirt and sneakers haha!)
Even the obvious triathletes on the TT style bikes will nod back or wave. So what is the excuse for Mr Grumpy in the normal clothes on whatever bike they are riding?
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Re: Etiquette for greeting cyclists
Postby nomadicsoul » Sun Jul 28, 2013 11:45 pm
That's why I like to say hi, nod etc thinking that if I ever get in trouble someone would stop to help me too (the cycle way code? haha!)
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Re: Etiquette for greeting cyclists
Postby RonK » Sun Jul 28, 2013 11:49 pm
Btw I must say that riding a touring bike with mudguards and rack in full kit and at roadie-like pace seems to confuse the hell out of a lot people - I often notice them do a quick double-take as they pass.
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Re: Etiquette for greeting cyclists
Postby g-boaf » Sun Jul 28, 2013 11:58 pm
Exactly right. If I see someone who looks in trouble, I'll stop and see if they are okay.nomadicsoul wrote:I think there needs to be a disclaimer for this not to become a lycra vs normal clothed war - I've encountered some unpleasant and some super friendly riders in both camps. A good example was during that cycle when a a normal clothes guy fell off his mountain bike - the lycra guys who looked like they were on a serious mission immediately stopped to help as did the group I was in.
That's why I like to say hi, nod etc thinking that if I ever get in trouble someone would stop to help me too (the cycle way code? haha!)
I wave or say hello to nearly everyone I see. Unless of course I'm going through a curve at 50km/h - but that's sort of understandable. Self preservation and keeping a nice line away from the person going the other way is better for both of us.
It is.nomadicsoul wrote:That's why I like to say hi, nod etc thinking that if I ever get in trouble someone would stop to help me too (the cycle way code? haha!)
There are many differing levels of "roadie like pace". I'm certain you aren't thinking of the competitive riders.RonK wrote:Btw I must say that riding a touring bike with mudguards and rack in full kit and at roadie-like pace seems to confuse the hell out of a lot people - I often notice them do a quick double-take as they pass.
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Re: Etiquette for greeting cyclists
Postby RonK » Mon Jul 29, 2013 12:35 am
Perhaps there are differing levels - but most (all) of them would be faster than than the usual touring bike pace.g-boaf wrote:There are many differing levels of "roadie like pace". I'm certain you aren't thinking of the competitive riders.RonK wrote:Btw I must say that riding a touring bike with mudguards and rack in full kit and at roadie-like pace seems to confuse the hell out of a lot people - I often notice them do a quick double-take as they pass.
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Re: Etiquette for greeting cyclists
Postby nailsaslegs » Mon Jul 29, 2013 7:59 am
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Re: Etiquette for greeting cyclists
Postby ColinOldnCranky » Mon Jul 29, 2013 8:24 am
For obvious reasons I don't get to pass many so I don't get to make the call anyway. By the same token hundreds pass me and I get dozens of acknowledgements.
I acknowledge many of those I am familiar with that come towards me and have, in the past, acknowledged me. It feels just a little rude or imperious not to sometimes. With face to face passing in opposite directions it is usually just a nod or a hand movement.
It is all a very inexact thing - do what you feel comfortable with and know that there will be no offence taken when you do pass with apparent indifference.
One thing to be cautious about when out on paths with lots of cycle traffic is slowing down next to a rider you know and having a discussion with him/her. Always be aware a little before of what other traffic is around. I know that many who slow down for a chat with me make it a little dicey without trying to. If you keep riding the same routes the occasions to have those chats may arise.
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Re: Etiquette for greeting cyclists
Postby rdp_au » Mon Jul 29, 2013 2:11 pm
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Re: Etiquette for greeting cyclists
Postby g-boaf » Wed Jul 31, 2013 10:10 pm
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Re: Etiquette for greeting cyclists
Postby nomadicsoul » Thu Aug 01, 2013 9:01 pm
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Re: Etiquette for greeting cyclists
Postby bollo » Thu Aug 01, 2013 9:54 pm
2012 Merida Scultura Evo 905
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Re: Etiquette for greeting cyclists
Postby nomadicsoul » Thu Aug 01, 2013 10:54 pm
It seems to me many people seem to have a 'car mentality' when cycling - you are in your own little world and enclosed, so it's easy to ignore or deflect. However, on a bike you are completely exposed - I know when I ride I feel the only 'space' I have is really my body and just over my front wheel - that's it.bollo wrote: it still spins me out after a few years of riding that people are so caught up in them selves that they cannot acknowledge others & return the nod or wave , to say that they are hard at it & concentrating is a joke & i tend to think wonderful person but thats just my opinion
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Re: Etiquette for greeting cyclists
Postby macca33 » Fri Aug 02, 2013 9:50 am
Sent from a MacGalaxy far, far away...
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Re: Etiquette for greeting cyclists
Postby nomadicsoul » Wed Aug 07, 2013 8:18 am
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Re: Etiquette for greeting cyclists
Postby MarkG » Wed Aug 07, 2013 9:25 am
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