L to R: me, Jeremy, Josh, Andrew, Robin
This is a slightly refreshed article from four years ago: now the nice weather has finally arrived and more cyclists and runners are hitting the roads, I find this question has risen again: runners and cyclists, are we rude?
Whenever I spot another cyclist or runner I always make some kind of a friendly gesture: perhaps a “hi there!” or a nod, or whatever seems right at the time. Sometimes the other person will make the first move and I’ll always respond in a friendly kind of way.
And yet, I am often astonished at the response. Or maybe the complete lack of any response. The range is quite remarkable and varies from an enthusiastic greeting coming back through to, well, just a blank look or even not to even bother to look across the road.
Perhaps it’s a micro version of life, with there being such a wide spectrum of people. Of course, I do recognise that running and cycling are great ways to just get out there and be on your own without having to bother with other people and all the complications that can bring but it doesn’t hurt, does it, to just give some kind of acknowledgement?
I’ve also wondered what could lie behind this indifference. Is it some thing I’ve done wrong? Do people think I’m some kind of a weird person who is sending a greeting across the road with some dodgy motive? Perhaps it’s because I’m not in the right gang with the right gear? What would happen if I was in the middle of nowhere trying to repair my bike, or got injured in some way. You’d like to think someone would stop and offer some kind of assistance.
There are probably some factors that might influence this whole thing. Some of these could be:
- What kind of bike you’re riding: MTB, road, tourer, hybrid etc
- How you’re dressed: scruffy, casual, Lycra, fashionable team kit etc.
- Time of day
- Local cultures
- Location
- Age
- and so on…..
For now I am not sure there’s any common thread. I am just going to carry on with those smiles, nods etc regardless.
Related:
Cyclists are nice people
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Hey there Doug maybe I will give my next bike ride a little more of a testing ground for a little bit more effort on my part to give as many greetings as I can. But I do know that most male road cyclist will mostly give a knod and the the lady road cyclist will give a smile. I personally do need to smile more. I have been asked if I was okay while stopped. And I have asked the same of others. Although most days and much more on the weekends there are so many people out walking riding running that to give a greeting to all would be quit a challenge. I have also given greetings to some that I didn’t see their head phone in their ears and could not have heard any one say hello cause they didn’t hear me. But I do like the eye contact and the Knod. I will give more results later. Dee.
Hi Dee,
I cannot imagine you as an unfriendly cyclist, I’m sure you would smile or something to everyone you see on the road.
I’m looking forward to hearing hearing how you get on with this in sunny California!
Kind regards, Doug.