Nov 16 '07 - 967 W, 2 I - Vote Good + 5 :: Bad - 8 For those about to ride, we salute you
Published November 16, 2007 by C.I.C.L.E.
By David Pulsipher
I’ve been thinking for a while about how to foster a greater sense of community between cyclists. You’d think just being out there on the roads is enough. But too often for my tastes - have I passed fellow cyclists yearning for some sort of sign, some acknowledgment beyond the occasional “head nod.” As ideas were circling around in my head – my mind eventually settled on birdhouses. The connection between bird-domiciles and cycling is probably obvious, but for the few out there who aren’t making the connection I’ll attempt to make it a little bit clearer ; )
Before I moved to Los Angeles to start graduate school, I spent several months working in the mountains of Colorado. Because of the remote location of my parent’s home – and the combined distance of my employer, I was forced to drive to work. I loathe driving to work, but if you are going to do it, you might as well be careening through the Colorado Mountains sans traffic, right?
I’ve certainly had worse jobs – I spent my days listening to NPR and making birdhouses/feeders out of recycled and reused products for a company called Artistic Creations Unlimited. We also had a collection of homemade soaps that I’m proud to say I use on a daily basis. But I digress…
In the summer, the mountain highways seem to be the ideal venue for motorcycle enthusiasts. I’d see them everyday, and I started paying attention to an interesting gesture of theirs. As the bikers would pass each other in opposite direction I noticed they’d stick their left arm out at a downward (45 degree-ish) angle. It was a slow, deliberate motion that each biker would make as they passed each other. Sometimes it was a peace sign, sometimes it was a slightly raised wave of the hand from the handle bars. I was very curious what this was all about – and I got to the bottom of it when I moved to California.
My little brother out here pals around with a bunch of bikers, and I asked one of them what this “slow gesture” was all about. I found out that this was “the low wave.” Apparently is a pretty common gesture for bikers to say hi – a way of greeting those with a common interest – wishing them well and safe travels. I was very charmed by this but didn’t think much of it until I started seeing cyclists on a regular basis during my commute.
I wish there was something this pervasive in cycling culture. I want to borrow the “low-wave” and brink it to cycling. I mean c’mon, they call their motorcycles “bikes,” why can’t we borrow a thing or two from them?
I’ve tried to do the head nod with limited success. To me, the head nod is on par with the high school mentality of wanting to acknowledge someone without breaking character, or looking too congenial. I say “too cool” be damned. I want to look congenial, because I am. Ergo, the head nod won’t work for me.
Another candidate is the actual low wave itself. It would be a direct rip off from the bikers – but as mentioned earlier they’ve borrowed our vernacular so I reckon it’d be an even trade. However, the low wave could easily pose problems of safety (letting go at inopportune times for greetings), as well it could be misconstrued as a lazy effort to signal a left hand turn. The low wave probably won’t work either.
What gesture could be congenial, fun, and shows respect and well wishes to fellow cyclists on the road? I say the salute. There are lots of theories about the origins of the salute – from Roman soldiers shading their eyes from the reflection of a superior’s armor, to the tipping of a cap in the olden days. I’m fond of another explanation that says the salute came from knights or other medieval armored individuals who would lift their faceplates as a token of peace.
The gesture itself really doesn’t matter. It could evolve into cyclists making pig-noses or flapping their arms like a chicken. I just want to open the dialogue of what YOU think a good way to say “hello” to fellow riders would be. I nominate the salute. Whatever people prefer, I’d just like to see more recognition between cyclists. Doing so creates goodwill, and could be a part of fostering a better sense of community between cyclists. Think about it – an entire social epidemic (to borrow from Gladwell) could start with us! Cycling is such a positive force. Hopefully we can continue to respect and greet each other as those who share much in common. Until then, I’ll see you on the road(with salutations).
David is a bicycle commuter living in West LA, but originally from Denver. He is also pursuing a masters degree in urban planning from UCLA.
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Since our pace is generally slower (25mph and under) why not just say “Hello”. I do this myself when I ride and most always get a response and sometimes even a smile.
We constantly decry the arrogance and incivility of drivers. Why not make another fellow cyclist feel appreciated. The main reason bikers do the “wave thing” is because they are able to keep up with traffic. Just some rambling thoughts
Gr8Day2Ride (Email) - November 17 '07 - 14:25
I have found that having a bell on my bicycle is a great way to communicate with cyclist…often the spandex racers will smile at me…or see it as a joke…but from the gregarious repetition see that I am saying hello. Living in the burbs and riding through quiet manicured lawns I also find that if you accompany the bell with a “elots! champurrado!” also gets a smile. I guess anything more than a just nod or the rudimentary hello.hector (Email) (URL) - November 18 '07 - 20:21
Much like Hector… i have found that the chime of a bicycle bell will usually extract a grin from most passing cyclists.But I do agree with David, that there just doesn’t seem to be that same sense of camaraderie that exists between passing members of other enthusiast groups, (in general). I used to have an ol’ ‘70 VW bus back in Montana a few years back, and fellow VW bussers would hang their arm out the window and enthusiastically flash the peace sign as we passed each other on 2 lane highways.
While I usually can steal a smile, or at least garner a look of acknowledgment from a cyclist with a ring from my bicycle bell, I usually don’t see that same level of shared excitement between passing cyclists.
Btw… hi Hector ;)
Shay (Email) (URL) - November 18 '07 - 23:23
I do believe cycling attracts introverts… but lots of them/us are gregarious introverts who glean much pleasure from the brief gestures of solidarity. I well remember riding on a 37-degree, rainy and windy day and seeing a peculiar van ahead of me and deciding to choose my route to work based on where the van went… and when I caught up to it the driver made a slow, almost reverent peace sign/wave at me.I have cultivated a full-body smile tat doesn’t require removing my hands from the bars. (Fortunately it doesn’t really look much different than my “extreme effort overflow gesture” – the tooth-gritting grin that grinding a fifty-pound bike into a 20 mph headwind produces ;)
Sue (Email) (URL) - November 19 '07 - 10:03
Maybe the apparent low level of shared excitement among bicyclists stems from the fact that we are used to being marginalized in the flow of traffic. Unlike motorcyclists and/or VW bus owners we are stealthily using whatever space remains from auto traffic. There could be four or more lanes of large, noisy motor vehicles between us and an oncoming bicyclist. Also, commuter bicyclists are less likely to acknowledge others on bikes because they are caught up in the utility usage of their bike and are on automatic pilot. I noticed this when I rode motorcycles. Weekend blasts along Angeles Crest highway would be filled with waves, nods, and smiles among fellow motorcyclists, but slogging along surface streets during rush hour would get no such reactions. BTW, the motorcyclist’s “low wave” (as opposed to high wave) started when “Cafe Racers” became mainstream. A motorcyclist crouched down holding low-mounted clip-on handlebars could upset the handling of the bike if he(she) were to change the altitude of a limb that much. Nowadays, many street motorcycles have clip-on handlebars and the practice is near universal.Harv (Email) - November 19 '07 - 10:26
great comments everyone. i guess it does make sense that many commuter cyclists are caught up in “survival mode.” I know i get that way at times, but i’m still looking for others out there. i think the “hello” can certainly work for those on your side of the road, but i think i was also thinking of recognizing cyclists on the other side of the road.i’ve made a habit of saying hello and waving to three different crossing guards on my way to work. it’s one of my favorite routines. they are really friendly and nice ladies.
i suppose salutes, waves, and smiles are maybe more conducive to when you are doing more of a recreational ride. one time i was meeting my wife down at the movies, and i really had to hustle. it was a beautiful night and there were tons of riders on the road. you know those beautiful nights where you want to ride fast and you marvel at the power of your legs and your bike? it was one of those nights.
i was really really high on life, and was waving to everyone. tons of riders were really into it. that experience (and the birdhouses) is what made me think i need to be much more friendly on the road.
really great thoughts from everyone.
david p. (Email) (URL) - November 19 '07 - 23:53
Lets assume that if cars were gone tomorrow, the esoteric nature of cycling would be gone as well. We have a common bond because there are few of us, if that were to change there would be no sense of belonging. I drive, that’s right, in fact I own classic cars of a uncommon nature, namley my 1963 Econoline truck. All the old vanners give me a nod or wave as well, becaue we belong to a small group and for no other reason, cycling is that same way. In being the same, it’s no different than anyother small group. If you know me, you know I have no problem expressing my displeasure with someone and some of the people I’ve been on rides with I’d rather have them stay home. I’m pretty sure some people feel the same way about me. What I’m getting at is the idea of a cycling community is more a myth than reality. Roadies hate slow riders, mtb riders hate roadies, flat land kids hate fixies, fixies hate choppers and cruisers, sting-ray nuts hate bmxers,etc. get it? This does not even cover the “cool people” that have embraced cycling in LA good or bad. If cars were gone tomorrow, the road would be full of assholes that pissed you off on thier bikes, in other words; rinding a bike does not instantly make you my friend, I often times have next to nothing in common with other people on bikes. Just because I ride a bike does not make others want to share a bond with me. I wear Chuck Taylors, but not everyone that wears them is going to be my friend. I think the idea of making it a “cummunity” thing and not a “everyone” thing keeps it a niche.Besides,
I hate every last one of you. :)
Paul.
Paul de Valera (Email) - November 23 '07 - 11:38
The only cyclists I can honestly say that I “hate” are the ones who are barreling directly at me going the wrong way in the bike path.angle - November 24 '07 - 16:32
Ha, angle! That is so true. No kind gestures of solidarity being sent in that situation.Shay (Email) (URL) - November 25 '07 - 11:39
They call those “wrong way wilburs”Paul de Valera (Email) - November 25 '07 - 21:43
I always greet other cyclist with a “howahhya” in my best Cape Cod accent. There is a wide range of reactions from nothing to smiles and waves.A response from women is near 100%. Responses from roadies is close to zero. I do get a lot of stare downs though, and maybe, just maybe, the slighest nod of the head, and that’s good enough.
The other thing I noticed is that very very few people initiate a greeting, and can sense that some are caught off guard, and usually respond to a friendly gesture.
I have been doing the low wave to motor bicycle riders for a couple of years. I can’t recall getting one back, but do get nods and smiles. (or is it laughing).
John (Email) (URL) - November 27 '07 - 06:27
paul – i think the friction you identified between sub-genres of cyclists is exaggerated at the very least.I don’t have any animosity toward other riders, except the aforementioned “wrong way wilburs” as you coined them.
i’m starting the salute… be a part of the renaissance.
david p. (Email) (URL) - November 27 '07 - 11:27
Not fiction, ride some more, different places, you’ll see. My main point is the community that you think is present is a thin veil at best.Paul de Valera (Email) - November 28 '07 - 10:21
paul. note, i said “FRICTION” not “fiction.”and, i didn’t say there was a community, i’m saying that a friendly gesture amidst cyclists (regardless of what type of rider you are) could foster a greater sense of community. something i’d like to see… not something that already exists.
does that make sense?
david p. (Email) (URL) - November 29 '07 - 01:13
Paul are you online a lot? I think the “friction” you are referring to is most evident on the “common interests” message forums, where many people get carried away with their perceived anonymity.Alice (Email) - November 29 '07 - 10:57
I, for one, can’t wait ‘til the day when, as Paul said, “the road [is] full of assholes that piss you off on their bikes…” CICLE will have to throw a great big party when we accomplish that!Rob - November 29 '07 - 15:04
I agree with Rob. I’d welcome a road full of cyclists who piss me off. I already face a road full of motorists who get my blood boiling from time to time. I’d rather have the bicyclists any day. I’ll continue to wave, nod or ring my bell at other cyclists when I see them. If other cyclists want to ignore the gesture, it’s their problem, not mine.Colin (Email) - November 30 '07 - 11:09
As a long time race and oft time commuter… having lived from SoCal to Montana to Cincinnati and points in between, my first reaction to the article and comments is: welcome to LA. If you walk down the street in LA, most people do anything and everything possible to avoid eye contact. In Oklahoma, most people go out of their way to say “hello” to you even if they don’t know who you are. However, there are a few finer points involved, including the fact that to some people, riding a bike makes you a cyclist, while others do not see the two wheel connection.\n\n1. As a mountain biker, roadies have typically been elitist, as are many people who ride fixies, and singlespeeds. Roadies are loathe to say hi, or even nod to a mountain biker.\n2. Within the road racing crew, you have what I have coined, the “Cat 3 Syndrome”. In racing, there are Categories, 5,4,3,2 and 1 and Pro. 5 being citizen, and 2,1 and Pro being the fastest guys out there. The guys who are “Cat 3”, are stuck in a sort of purgatory. They are likely never going to have the time or perhaps the gift to ride at the Pro,1,2 level, and they take that anger out on anyone who comes within a mile of them on a bicycle. Particularly a female.\nHere is a typical male with Cat 3 Syndrome: I am gently riding my cyclocross bike on the road, recovery pace (about 13-15 mph, slow and easy), and I am surpassed noiselessly by a male cyclist who then, nearly knocking me over continues around me in a sprint, looking back to see my reaction. First of all, Cat 3 Man, if you think I can’t kick your a on a bike, you are in LALA land. Secondly, I don’t have time for your self serving antics. We like to call it, when the guys do this that they have to whip their you know what out and wave it around.\n3. As just an explanation to the head nod, and other acknowledgments: sometimes a cyclist MAY be doing intervals, as we racers do use our bikes to do specific training. and at times, it is not possible to react or do more than the head nod. I many times do the head nod because i am in the middle of a brain blowing interval, and i can’t remove my focus from my task.\n4. Regarding the low wave. cool story: i was road riding in the Badlands of South Dakota near the Sturgis Harley Rally. I was overtaken by a gang, which scared the poo out of me, and then a couple of uys slowed up, and were like, “wow, You are so hard core for riding out here!” then they had a long conversation with me as i pedaled and they throttled. It was kind of fun. Then when they sped away, they gave me the low wave. From that moment on, every biker who passsed me both ways gave me the low wave. It was so cool.\n\nIn conclusion. If I get a nod, a wink, a smile, or even eye contact for criminy sakes, I am very pleased. I love people who ride bikes and I get excited to see so many people who love to ride! As for the salute. I like the idea, but it feels too masculine or militaristic for me. (For the record, I do have a boyfriend, and sometimes a female being friendly is construed as flirting, so thus another layer to this already too long a comment in a very heavy conversation!).mtbchick (Email) (URL) - November 30 '07 - 17:37
Oh and for the record, too. While living in Boulder, the Pro roadie men would get onto me for the head nod, and say I was a snob. It was because I do the down up head nod, not the up-down head nod. But you must know, the Pro riders are the friendliest out there!mtbchick (Email) (URL) - November 30 '07 - 17:41
Love it ;) you’re a snob because you don’t perform the correct head nod.Sioux - December 04 '07 - 16:59