Respect on the Road

[Owlie]

I think LPH has it right--we acknowledge people in our sub-group, and for better or for worse, there are sub-groups of the overall cycling sub-group! I've had the same experience where people nod, smile, or wave when I'm on my road bike (funniest reaction is when someone STARTS to acknowledge me, sees the fenders and rack, and realizes that maybe I'm NOT in their sub-group and turns the acknowledgement into an awkward I-meant-to-do-that gesture) but don't even seem to see me when I'm on my Townie with a purse in the front basket. The moms with strollers, however, DO acknowledge me on that bike where they don't on the road bike.

Sarah

First time I went out on the bike trail in Cincinnati (in July, a mere two days after I had gotten my road bike), I was wearing one of BF's jerseys. I got lots of nods and waves from the spandex-clad crowd, and one wave from a guy out riding with his kids--he'd stopped to let us go by earlier in the day and his kids recognized our bikes. The second time I went out on the trail (in October, with the same bike), I was much more experienced with the bike, and going a lot faster, but wearing a clearly not-cycling fleece jacket over my jersey. I got no acknowledgment from the few roadies on the path (it was pretty chilly), and the odd wave or nod from people on hybrids.

[Crankin]

Most roadies wave or nod when I am on my road bike. Although, lately I have had a few just blast by rudely. When I am on my Jamis, I get a mixed reaction. It's clear I'm doing errands or commuting somewhere, but I am dressed usually in what I'd call urban cycling clothes (Ibex, loose capris, skorts). Commuters will wave and if it's one of the few deep winter rides I do, on this bike, anyone out will wave. I see the roadies look at this bike, though, since not a lot of people around here have Jamis'.
Drivers definitely are more courteous when I'm on the Jamis. They will stop and let me turn, etc.

[PamNY]

Waving or not doesn't really come up in NYC, but in winter, as Crankin mentioned, people do wave, especially if it's dark or nearly so. They also ask if I'm okay if I stop to put on lip balm, which is cool.