Respect on the Road

[Eden]

When people talk about the Seattle freezeout, this is exactly what they are talking about. That's the sucky part about living in Seattle that nobody talks about. I'm not sure why we are this way, some blame the Scandinavian influence. I smile at other bikeriders, who in general are friendlier to strangers than the typical Seattle culture.

I didn't grow up here.... I'm from Pittsburgh. I'm not talking about being unkind. I'm the type of person that if you ask me directions, I'm more likely to take you there if I can. I always ask people folks with flats if they are OK. Still I have a fair amount of personal space and I'm not much of an idle chit chatter even with people I know. So I guess I don't find it to be sucky here at all.

[chicagogal]

Thinking about this more, I think that those of you who said that people (probably myself included) are just more likely to acknowledge those who we consider to be one of us.

I guess it was just a different experience for me to nod to cyclists and be ignored, when I am used to getting a response. Basically, out of habit, I was acknowledging those who I considered to be like me (roadies, and especially roadies wearing team kits that I recognize and personally know their teammates), but given my equipment that day, they didn't equate me with their group.

Hmm, wonder how I would be treated if I were wearing my team kit while on a beater bike. That might confuse some fellow roadies out there :-)

[Tri Girl]

Hmm, wonder how I would be treated if I were wearing my team kit while on a beater bike.

That made me laugh out loud. I can just see the confused faces now...
Maybe I'll try that on my commute home from work. Take a spin around the lake with my panniers, folding bike, handlebar bag and a team kit. Man- I'd look like a poser (or just a loon).

[Dogmama]

I just try to remember that life isn't all about me. If I wave & don't get a wave back, maybe they didn't see me, are engrossed in thought or just a jerk. I prefer to consider the first two possibilities.

I'm a consummate waver. I wave to cyclists, peds, etc. Maybe I need a 12 step group. WA - Waver's Anonymous.

[Jo-n-NY]

I wave to cyclists, walkers, runners as when I am on the bike I am in that "so happy" feeling. However, it is most gratifying that when I see someone on a comfort, hybrid etc (I ride a road bike) and I wave/acknowledge them, they get such a grin on their face. I feel like a just made their day.

I have to say when I do this when riding with my husband he is like "there she goes again, waving to everyone"

~ JoAnn

[marni]

when I am out on my road bike during the week training, and riding solo I try to at least a finger to every other bike rider I see, regardless of what they are riding, The funny thing is that male riders rarely if ever acknowledge me, even when there are only two us out in the boonies, 60 miles from Houston, obviously doing distance training whereas if a woman or women they willunfailinng acknowledge me.

On weekends is I ride with my husband even the pace linen riders will acknowledge if he is riding in front, but that same group will ignore us if I am riding in front.

When I ride with a group of women we average about 50% acknowledgements whether riding out in the boonies on a distance ride, or in the burbs on a local ride.

Being as it is around Houston, I was beginning to suspect it was a Texas good old boy thing, but maybe not.

marni
sa

[cylegoddess]

Here in Oz( Canberra) out in the edges of the suburbs, its mixed. Lots of rider, mostly commuters, roadies and joy riders.
I just smile at everyone, and usually get smiles or nods( roadies) in return.
I do wear full racing kits( tight black stuff) and am on my racing bike( not a great one but isnt a hybrid). I am more apt to get nods from roadies when not using panniers. I think its more like, hey ! your one of us! sort of thing.
A lot of people seem to be surprised that I smile at them, in racing kit( or whatever it is!) when they ride so called normal bikes!

[Selkie]

I didn't grow up here.... I'm from Pittsburgh. I'm not talking about being unkind. I'm the type of person that if you ask me directions, I'm more likely to take you there if I can. I always ask people folks with flats if they are OK. Still I have a fair amount of personal space and I'm not much of an idle chit chatter even with people I know. So I guess I don't find it to be sucky here at all.

You are from Pittsburgh (as am I) so that sort of courtesy is bred in you. When I moved to Philly, I realized how much I took those simple acts of kindness for granted.

Sorry to drift this thread....

[Biciclista]

Seattle freeze out? hmmm I don't think so.
I notice cyclists are more apt to be friendly when we are out at 8am on a sunday and we run into one; they are happy to see that there are other cyclists on the road.
My Dh and I make a point of being friendly to everyone we see on a bike, including the guy who rides a bike because he can't afford a car.
Now it's also true that he'll probably yell at the guy dressed in black w/o a helmet or a bike light going the wrong way down the street in the dark, but it's out of concern.

So anyway; i have been riding in my expensive bike gear on my DH's 1988 raleigh MTB and i get friendliness from all the other fancy bike riders. IF we happen to stop and talk the Raleigh bike is admired.