Saying G'Day - Ettiquette
I commute to work two or three times a week and like to get out over the weekend for a ride and have noticed something interesting when it comes to greetings between cyclists.
I ride a flat-bar road bike (commuter) and notice that everyone on a similar style bike and also mountain bike riders always say hello and sometimes have a chat (especially whilst struggling up the veloway). I've also noticed that only some people on road bikes say hello, or even nod the head. Quite a lot, even after receiving a greeting don't even seem to want to acknowledge you're there.
Is there a snobbery to bike riders? It feels like there's some sort of hierarchy in place here with the road biker at the top and the rest below. Or am I just feeling paranoid or jealous of the lovely road bikes?
Anyway, the more I get ignored by road bikers refusing to simple say G'Day and the more friendly I find MTB and flat-bar riders to be, it only makes be less likely to enter the road bike 'world'.
Thoughts/Comments?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Torsten Bunge on -
Yes, snobbery exists but the ones that give no greeting aren't worth knowing anyway.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Bland on -
HI ALL ,
I tend to say Hi to everyone ,,wether I'm riding , walking ,working , playing whatever . Some reply to me ,some don't , that's cool , that's life ......
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Permalink Reply by Torsten Bunge on
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well said michael
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Permalink Reply by simon on -
i only came to the city(or even a town bigger than 3000) when i was 20. before then, every person i walked/rode past had a hi/hello/etc. once i had my licence, everyone i passed had a nod, 'finger lift' wave.
once i came to adelaide i noticed that it isnt very practical, or even 'done' to acknowledge the people you randomly pass in your day. i still do/did it when i'm riding my motorbikes, and also now on my pushbike. i like the sense of community? amongst like-minded people. and i dont pick or choose what kind of bike to nod or say hi to.
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Permalink Reply by Andrew S on -
If I can, I try and say hello to most other cyclists on the road, especially if stopped at lights. Doing the same ride each day to/from work means I have gotten to know a few of the regulars who do a similar journey at a similar time to me each day.
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Permalink Reply by Paul S (Maximus) on -
I'm like Mick Dundee in New York (and Michael Bland). I say hi to everyone.
I dabble in photography, astronomy, cycling, pythons and parrots. In all of these things, I have found a small amount of "snobbery" based on brands, breeds, styles, etc, etc. Its human nature. Seems it will happen in any large group of people. It makes for an interesting and diverse world.
Bye the way, if you think you get limited greetings from other bike riders, try and say hello or talk to people on a bus!!!
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Permalink Reply by Don (Who's lost?) Nairn on -
There will always be people who what the best equipment and want to feel superior to others with inferior equipment.
Whatever the activity.
Is this a refection on their lack of other equipment?
I don't know all my bikes are old and not in show room condition.
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Permalink Reply by Konadog on -
I generally give a nod or an hello to passing riders, but don't get the same in return all the time. The Mountain bike / roadie divide comes into play for sure, but I think more often if someone doesn't return my greeting it's simply a matter of them being in their own head-space and not noticing me. Or, I think there is a critical mass point where a city gets to a certain size that there are just too many other riders to greet so people just look straight ahead and go. And finally, some people are just snobs - Thinking their superior because of the bike they ride and such - Too bad for those types, but it's largely learned behaviour so I hold out hope that they can unlearn it and come 'round : )
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Permalink Reply by Jeremy Champion on -
I agree altho not so much the reasoning behind the snobs bit. Some peole are just snobs no matter what so its not always the type of bike. Anyhow thought I'd give it a go this morning so gave out a gudday at every possible opprtunity. Got interesting results. Almost 100% response from blokes a lot less from ladies altho my heavy breathing before and after the gudday bit may have had an effect and total surprise from people at bus stops who I may well have woken up.
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