Are men bike snobs?

[BikeHN]

Yep, must just be a regional thing.

[ZooZoo]

And about 95% of the time they nod back.

What was cool, or I thought it was anyway, on the second day of STP this year there was a motorcycle in a turn lane and I happened to catch his eye. I smiled and nodded and he nodded back & gave a thumbs up, then went along his way. I've seen motorcyclists nod and wave at each other, but don't think I've seen one respond to a bicyclists. (And no, it was not one of the Gold Wing people this guy was on a Harley and decked out in leathers).

[shootingstar]

In Copenhagen where over 40% of cyclists are women....no one cares to acknowledge Just way too many.

I'll be posting an article about my Copenhagen cycling experience last month...just give me a few days.

[zoom-zoom]

I've seen motorcyclists nod and wave at each other, but don't think I've seen one respond to a bicyclists. (And no, it was not one of the Gold Wing people this guy was on a Harley and decked out in leathers).

I've had several motorcyclists wave and/or nod in my direction. It always has an air of "I see that you are on 2 wheels, too. Cool."

[ivorygorgon]

Yep, must just be a regional thing.

I don't think it is regional. My DH is an avid motorcyclist and has biked all over the country, and they all wave. Each make of motorcycle has a different kind of wave.

[OakLeaf]

I gotta figure this out then.

I just got a little Honda commuter that I'm loving. My bigger bikes are a Yamaha up north and a Suzuki down south. Now I have to have a different wave for each one?! Somebody tell me what they are!

I swear I have never heard of this. DH has not only been riding as long as I mentioned, but he covered motorcycle racing for a long time, and we still follow it avidly, and he's always waved the same way whether he was on his Ducati, his Honda, or the Yamaha he rides now.

And he's lived and ridden in New Jersey, Arizona, Florida and Ohio, so if it's regional it must be one-a those really regional things.

[JennK13]

I gotta figure this out then.

I just got a little Honda commuter that I'm loving. My bigger bikes are a Yamaha up north and a Suzuki down south. Now I have to have a different wave for each one?! Somebody tell me what they are!

I swear I have never heard of this. DH has not only been riding as long as I mentioned, but he covered motorcycle racing for a long time, and we still follow it avidly, and he's always waved the same way whether he was on his Ducati, his Honda, or the Yamaha he rides now.

And he's lived and ridden in New Jersey, Arizona, Florida and Ohio, so if it's regional it must be one-a those really regional things.

We have Yamaha Star Motorcycles, and wave to anyone on a cruiser, and they all "wave" back, give a peace sign, a high five, whatever - unless they're on a Harley, then those "snobs" often just wave to other Harleys

As for cyclists, I don't think men are snobs. It's rare I encounter a rude cyclist, and here in Colorado, if I waved to everyone I wouldn't get any riding done. There are so many people out here, it would be like a dang receiving line if you waved or nodded to everyone. I think some women are just more social than men (and other women), so they expect people to be "friendly" and welcoming - the hostess with the most-est! I don't think it's snobbery or rudeness if people don't wave or nod. I know that when I'm riding alone, it's usually for a workout, so I'm really focused and not looking to socialize. If I'm going through a crowded area, riding with a group of people, happen upon a family with kids or whatnot, I do give a nod and a "how ya doin?" just like I do if I'm at a stop light with another cyclist - that's when I chat. I always ask a person on the side of the road if they need help, and when I've been stopped, I must say, men are the only ones who've ever asked me if I need help.
Just like if I'm in the gym running on the tread mill, I'm wearing my iPod for a reason - so I can focus and not have to talk to people!! I'm not being rude, I'm not a snob, I'm just focused. I'm there to workout. And running here on our trails, if I happen to make eye contact with someone, then I nod - I'm not going to ignore them if our eyes meet, or quickly look away; but I'm not out waving to everyone, either. Again, there are SOOOOOOOO many people out there, one would get whiplash!

[OakLeaf]

We have Yamaha Star Motorcycles, and wave to anyone on a cruiser... - unless they're on a Harley, then those "snobs" often just wave to other Harleys

So you're some of those snobs who don't wave to anyone on sportbikes then?


There's definitely a helmet/no helmet thing that goes on with motorcyclists (vs. bikers). I kind of wish it were the same with bicyclists...

[Christopher]

I don't offer a wave or greeting, but will return one. I get irrationally angry if I get ignored if I do offer a greeting first, so no longer bother. I am also a little paranoid about looking at women on cycles in case they think I am ogling them.

Around here (NW England), cyclist and motorbikers ignore one another. Not in a rude way, there's just no interaction. But it's fun to see that Sidi do make nice motorbike boots... The bike are either cruisers mosying along, or sportbikes screaming at 8000 revs...

[Crankin]

You know, now that I think about it, women rarely initiate a wave or nod to me. In fact, some of them just put their head down.

[JennK13]

So you're some of those snobs who don't wave to anyone on sportbikes then?

haha! well, more or less! Not that sport bikes wave at us, either

As for helmets, I ALWAYS wear one on a motorcycle or snowboard (fell getting of the lift this season and whacked my head - fortunately, had a helmet), and almost always on a bicycle - after I clean and lube my bike, I don't when I ride up and down the street to check everything, or if I'm chillin' on my cruiser on the bike path. But I always do if I'm commuting or road riding in the street - any kind of "aggressive" riding.

Nice morning ride around the reservoir with my usual Wednesday morning group - lots of cyclists are there at any time of day. I think we had one person give a "how ya doing?" as HE passed us on a hill.

That's about it.

[PamNY]

In terms of biker friendliness, I notice cultural differences far more than gender differences.

I wouldn't go into much detail in an online discussion -- too much potential for misunderstanding.

But several neighborhoods that I pass through are friendlier and more fun than a strictly white, American neighborhood.