View Full Version : Biking Etiquette?
So I'm kinda new to all of this 2 wheel shennanigans, and I can't find any guides to what the 'done thing' is when you're out biking, or you meet another biker on the road. A simple guide would be really handy, but I can't find one, and I even used the search button and everyfink...
So here's what I wanna know:
What's the deal with tapping your helmet? What does one tap mean? Two taps?
Wave with your hand, nod, or flash the main beam?
Keep your lid on when you're parked up talking to someone, or lid off til the last minute?
Roll up beside someone parked at the lights, or keep behind them?
etc. etc. etc.
Anyone care to answer these, and add a few more pieces of etiquette?
:drink:
timwilky
19-01-10, 02:26 PM
do what the hell you want.
Etiquette to me is do not impede anyone's progress. and advise of speed traps ahead with a downward thumb to oncoming bikers.
A nod simply says I see you.
+1
but watch out for the knobs...
bmw and harley riders dont nod, they are far to busy trying to stay in a straight line.
I see lots of people doing random tapping and head movements and hand movements and rarely know what they're trying to convey to be honest! If I see someone waving their arm up and down at their side though I generally take it that there's either a speed trap or an accident somewhere up ahead.
Other than that, I would definitely pull alongside another biker at traffic lights if there was room. No reason why you can't get away ahead of the cars too...
Oh; and if you meet an orger in the pub, it's your round ;)
ridelikeaturtle
19-01-10, 02:43 PM
*I think* the head-tap means there's a speedtrap ahead.
Waving the arm up and down is a generic "slow down" message (if I remember my hand-signals from the driving test correctly, which I probably don't!) There may be animals in the road, or an accident, or loose chippings, etc.
At lights, what carty said.
When on the continent, it's common to signal to other bikers with your left hand, just a small low wave. This is impossible in the UK and Ireland bc we drive on the left and so can't do it w/the right hand due to the throttle.
But you can do a leg wave if someone pulls in for you, or you pass another biker on the road.
bmw and harley riders dont nod
*sigh*
Dave20046
19-01-10, 03:02 PM
I give the generic slow wave of the hand for slow down if there's a copper,speed trap or accident/hazard ahead.
Occasionally use the flashing hand on top of lid for coppers and give a nod if I see another biker 'hey, you're alive too. how do...watch your back the rest of these guys are right muppets' all conveyed in a simple head twitch. If you don't get a nod back it's safe to say they much prefer cars or don't like people.
At the lights I obviously pull to the front but try not to sit side by side with another biker, can prompt sillyness.
There is a do you nod thread somewhere but couldn't see it at a glance.
davepreston
19-01-10, 03:10 PM
for me its
thumb down= speedtrap
nod head= hello (not scooters must have gears)
arm up and down = slow incident/bad road ahead
talking= keep helmet on unless going to be there a while
lights= if safe pull along side visor up (genrally then point at there bike and thumb up)
dont know where you are but dont see the tap helmet thing up here (but if i saw it id prob slow down as it is the prudent call)
biker on hard shoulder= slow and you point to side of road (they willl either wave you off or give thunbs up if ok (even if you dont know anything about bikes they may just need a lift for fuel or use of a mobile)
oh and if you see a crazed copper waving madly at you wave back it prob pete
hth
Dave20046
19-01-10, 03:22 PM
nod head= hello (not scooters must have gears)
What if it's a lambretta or a vespa? :razz:
Others have explaind it well, but since you're asking about etiquette...one that really annoys me:
When you're filtering in heavy traffic on a dual carriageway and you hear another rider behind you blipping the throttle, he's probably faster then you, make some room for him to pass you*.
Some use the bike because they don't want to be stuck in traffic, and are faster then someone not too confident on a bike with panniers :rambo:.
If you filter to the front of a queue at the lights, don't stop between the two first cars, pull forward a little bit so that the rider behind you can do the same**, instead of sniffing you exhaust till the lights change.
*)No, I'm not the fastest at filtering, nor do I filter at warp speeds and I make room for others to pass me if necessary.
**) although this is probably not 100% legal as you'd be crossing the stop line.
A nod simply says I see you.
In an Avatar kind of way :D
I had a weird one a while ago - filtering in slow motorway traffic, I catch up with a bike ahead of me. I follow at a reasonable distance as there's nowhere to pass. He notices me and rockets off at seriously dangerous speed.
About a mile further ahead I catch up with him again - doing my own steady speed - he must have slowed down. Again he rockets off like a nutcase. Then the traffic clears a bit and as I pass him he gives me the finger.
Any possible explanations?
Alpinestarhero
19-01-10, 03:31 PM
I had a weird one a while ago - filtering in slow motorway traffic, I catch up with a bike ahead of me. I follow at a reasonable distance as there's nowhere to pass. He notices me and rockets off at seriously dangerous speed.
About a mile further ahead I catch up with him again - doing my own steady speed - he must have slowed down. Again he rockets off like a nutcase. Then the traffic clears a bit and as I pass him he gives me the finger.
Any possible explanations?
he was intimidated by your presence in his mirrors? He could hear you and felt intimidated?
he was a n00b?
I had one guy behind me once on an R1, he was desperat to get past me..so much so, he did a rather stupid manouver to get around me when there was a gap between two cars
I lol'd when he nearly shoved it in the back of a pug 205 and i still carried on in front of him
Littlepeahead
19-01-10, 03:33 PM
Was nice that 2 car drivers both gave me a speed trap warning when we were out on a training day on Sunday. Though my trainer is CID so would have been interesting to get pulled over. And I give a nod to the Vespa and Lambretta riders, as I've had both in the garage at the same time, it doesn't make you a bad person (wait for others to now say that it does).
he was intimidated by your presence in his mirrors? He could hear you and felt intimidated?
he was a n00b?
You're close, I think he was a kn0b.
I keep a sensible distance filtering, so I doubt he'd have been intimidated. I think I still had the standard can on back then, so I doubt the noise was a problem either. It's just the way he put himself at risk, to get away. Twice.
CheGuevara
19-01-10, 03:42 PM
Back home we wave (more like a quick sideways "peace" usually), but of course we pass oncoming bikes on the clutch side, so it works. When I started riding on the road here I couldn't figure out what was going on with the spastic head-movement, which looks less like a nod than someone trying to work a kink out of their neck, or perhaps the start of that strange sideways head-wobble-nod they do in India.
I don't get it. I did try the UK-nod, but it felt weird and I couldn't wrap my head around why I was doing it. It seems like someone started it as a joke to see if it would catch on (it worked!)? I do nod now, but always a straight forward nod, same as I would passing someone in the hall.
Owenski
19-01-10, 03:51 PM
1, Flat palm moved up and down as though bouncing a basket ball = slow down
2, Any random arm movements that dont involve a thumbs up = slow down (better safe than sorry)
3, Filtering:
a, If you catch someone dont ride on thier ass, the last thing they need to be doing is looking behind while they filter.
b, If someone catches you, move in where safe and let them past
c, When filtering to the front of a traffic que, make room for anyother bike following
d, If you arrive and another bike is there blip the throttle (they may not know your thier) If they move forward for you then great if not then dont try a fast start from the lights, they may drift into your line again unaware you're there.
4, A nod/sideways flick of the helmet is just an aknolagement that the other rider also risks thier life to get to work. But they too arrive happier than the rest of thier office.
5, Speaking to other riders at a petrol station etc then I'd keep the lid off until after the bike is started (using starting the bike as a sign that your going ot be leaving shortly).
6, Pull up to the road side for anyone who is either stood next to a stationary bike or is wearing gear/has a lid in hand even if no bike is in sight. (Got slated by a mechanic I knew cos I saw him at the road side, waved and carried on. Turns out the bike he was riding prior to that was down the embankment behind him and he could have really done with a lift/use of a phone).
7, If you see another SV make silly movements until they aknowlage you, if they ride away quickly then follow them matching thier speed its because they want to buy you a drink at the nearest pub. If they pass a pub then slow down, they're not a forum member and are prob quite scared.
HTH
= Happy to help/Hope that helps. ;)
Warthog
19-01-10, 03:54 PM
I had a weird one a while ago - filtering in slow motorway traffic, I catch up with a bike ahead of me. I follow at a reasonable distance as there's nowhere to pass. He notices me and rockets off at seriously dangerous speed.
About a mile further ahead I catch up with him again - doing my own steady speed - he must have slowed down. Again he rockets off like a nutcase. Then the traffic clears a bit and as I pass him he gives me the finger.
Any possible explanations?
Maybe he suffers from digit pleiomorphic cramp syndrome? This causes random cramping of certain fingers at regular intervals. What happens is that nearly all of the fingers cramp up in a tight ball due to a calcium ion channel imbalance in the interior finger muscles. If this occurs when riding a motorbike, an involuntary twisting of the throttle is a common occurance. When you finally made your way past he was trying to show you that his condition had kicked in again, affecting all but one of his fingers you see. You've got to feel sorry for the poor chap :(.
I couldn't figure out what was going on with the spastic head-movement, which looks less like a nod than someone trying to work a kink out of their neck, or perhaps the start of that strange sideways head-wobble-nod they do in India.
I don't get it. I did try the UK-nod, but it felt weird and I couldn't wrap my head around why I was doing it. It seems like someone started it as a joke to see if it would catch on (it worked!)? I do nod now, but always a straight forward nod, same as I would passing someone in the hall.
But the sideways movement is more noticeable at speed than than movement in the same plane as your forward movement on the bike :)
Owenski
19-01-10, 03:57 PM
You'd think the doc would have revoked his motorcycle licence with a condition like that. It must be torture, all those potentional speeding fines :(
metalangel
19-01-10, 05:37 PM
I couldn't figure out what was going on with the spastic head-movement, which looks less like a nod than someone trying to work a kink out of their neck, or perhaps the start of that strange sideways head-wobble-nod they do in India.
I don't get it. I did try the UK-nod, but it felt weird and I couldn't wrap my head around why I was doing it. It seems like someone started it as a joke to see if it would catch on (it worked!)? I do nod now, but always a straight forward nod, same as I would passing someone in the hall.
I think of it of doing a really exagerrated wink.. where you actually **** your head to one side and then bring it down as you wink. The problem is I tend to actually wink while doing this and not the best idea while riding.
PsychoCannon
19-01-10, 05:54 PM
When I started riding on the road here I couldn't figure out what was going on with the spastic head-movement, which looks less like a nod than someone trying to work a kink out of their neck, or perhaps the start of that strange sideways head-wobble-nod they do in India.
I thought about that for a bit and figured people must of been unsure if the other person was nodding or looking at their instruments so decided to make it more obvious =p.
I actually HAVE been checking my speedo before only for it to set off a return nod from another biker =p
For me I'm happy to pull up beside people at the lights though some aren't, I just take it as shyness.
Filtering to the front I always try to make space for others to then get out as well, even if I have to pull over lines or into an odd spot as long as it's safe.
As i'm on a half tonne tourer I'll also not filter into a spot where I can see I will, or will likely end up blocking a route a smaller bike could take if I can help it, that said I often find I'm happily throwing it through spaces nervous bikers half my size haven't taken =p.
But more often than not I'm just resorting to riding on the other side of the road or some such that smaller bikes don't have to do so we don't get in each others way much.
My biggest bug bear is people "crossing wheels" with you, IE driving so close to your rear off side you that if you swerved you'd clip their wheels.
I'm happy for people to over take or come up beside if they want to over take at the next oppertunity (or just be friendly) and I'll often move over to indicate my consent but don't for the love of god sit just off where we can collide but not so close that you can't over take and I have a hard time seeing you in my mirrors and manouvering.
Nodding I do when I can and it used to bug me that London riders didn't nod.
I quickly realised that if you nodded at every one of the 100000000 bikers you see in london every day you'd soon get dizzy or look like you were having a fit so I don't do it so much anymore though I still do it on my home turf =p
Specialone
19-01-10, 05:56 PM
What if it's a lambretta or a vespa? :razz:
YEAH !!! I got a lambretta, vespas dont count.
CheGuevara
19-01-10, 07:29 PM
I think of it of doing a really exagerrated wink.. where you actually **** your head to one side and then bring it down as you wink. The problem is I tend to actually wink while doing this and not the best idea while riding.
LOL I sure hope you have a tinted visor. If not then if I'm ever riding in Wales and see an oncoming rider trying to get a bit fresh, I'll assume it's you and wink back ;)
+1
but watch out for the knobs...
bmw and harley riders dont nod, they are far to busy trying to stay in a straight line...
... and wondering if they'll make it to the next layby without breaking down or the bike falling apart.
It's easy.
Ignore everyone and everything they do. It's your road and they are obstructing it. If they are on a scooter and they get too close, kick them into the gutter. It doesn't matter if they are on your right side, kick them across moving traffic into the gutter anyway.
At traffic lights you are king, it's your drag race and anyone who interferes is going to regret it. If someone comes past you slow down and immediately take the next left or pull to the side of the road and get off as if going into a shop - never lose face at the next set of lights. If you want to get away from the lights, delay for as long as possible then point under his bike and shout "Is that oil?" then hit the throttle as the lights go green.
Never warn other bikers of a speed trap. If the police don't get enough on one day they'll be back on another day to get more. Let as many get nicked as possible, then the police will be sure the message has got across and they won't return. This ensures you can speed with impunity for evermore. If a biker nods at you, give him the finger - unless the guy is going to buy you lunch and a pair of tyres there's no need to be friendly. He's just another scummer spoiling the route for you and getting in your way when you want to go knee down through the left-right complex outside the girl's grammar school.
Stick to these rules and you'll go far young padawan
It's easy.
Ignore everyone and everything they do. It's your road and they are obstructing it. If they are on a scooter and they get too close, kick them into the gutter. It doesn't matter if they are on your right side, kick them across moving traffic into the gutter anyway.
At traffic lights you are king, it's your drag race and anyone who interferes is going to regret it. If someone comes past you slow down and immediately take the next left or pull to the side of the road and get off as if going into a shop - never lose face at the next set of lights. If you want to get away from the lights, delay for as long as possible then point under his bike and shout "Is that oil?" then hit the throttle as the lights go green.
Never warn other bikers of a speed trap. If the police don't get enough on one day they'll be back on another day to get more. Let as many get nicked as possible, then the police will be sure the message has got across and they won't return. This ensures you can speed with impunity for evermore. If a biker nods at you, give him the finger - unless the guy is going to buy you lunch and a pair of tyres there's no need to be friendly. He's just another scummer spoiling the route for you and getting in your way when you want to go knee down through the left-right complex outside the girl's grammar school.
Stick to these rules and you'll go far young padawan
so that'll be the harley riders again then.
It's easy.
Ignore everyone and everything they do. It's your road and they are obstructing it. If they are on a scooter and they get too close, kick them into the gutter. It doesn't matter if they are on your right side, kick them across moving traffic into the gutter anyway.
At traffic lights you are king, it's your drag race and anyone who interferes is going to regret it. If someone comes past you slow down and immediately take the next left or pull to the side of the road and get off as if going into a shop - never lose face at the next set of lights. If you want to get away from the lights, delay for as long as possible then point under his bike and shout "Is that oil?" then hit the throttle as the lights go green.
Never warn other bikers of a speed trap. If the police don't get enough on one day they'll be back on another day to get more. Let as many get nicked as possible, then the police will be sure the message has got across and they won't return. This ensures you can speed with impunity for evermore. If a biker nods at you, give him the finger - unless the guy is going to buy you lunch and a pair of tyres there's no need to be friendly. He's just another scummer spoiling the route for you and getting in your way when you want to go knee down through the left-right complex outside the girl's grammar school.
Stick to these rules and you'll go far young padawanFinally :D
Someone willing to stand up and say what I've always thought :thumbsup: Now Fek off outta my way Loz :twisted:
LMAO @ Lozzo's response... :D
I shall try my best to do all of that if I can remember it all... now what was it again? Something about giving the finger and the girl's grammar school? \\:D/
The dispising of BMW drivers extends into the bikers world! Excellent News! An amusing read to say the least!
matt_rehm_hext
20-01-10, 10:02 PM
It's all a secret language you have to work out for yourself, sorry ;o)
GeneticBubble
20-01-10, 10:18 PM
The only! and i repeat ONLY way to be sure you've acknowleged everyone is to nod at everything, everyone and nothing... :cool:
allantheboss
21-01-10, 09:53 AM
"IS THAT OIL?!" - Lozzo
Made me LOL big time, I'm definitely going to try that on my mate and his Bandit.
I just nod, thumbs up, mini-wave or peace at bikers. I vary to keep the mojo flowing. Some of the lists people have made are quite long! Apart from as above, I'd just do the basketball motion to say slow down, whether there's police, bad turf, or some hot girls to slow down and rev next to.
And I always use the lid-tap as a "follow me". It's the military gesture as well.
Kudos to Lozzo, I was getting ready to do the same. Beat me to it! Along those lines, whenever I see some teen on a 125/50cc or a scooter, obviously someone who possesses an ASBO and 3 children, and they're revving hard at the lights, strutting around on their neon-ridden moped, I normally pull up beside them, and intimidate. Look at their bike/scooter, but no thumbs up, no nod. Just turn back facing forwards like you haven't seen anything, and make like you're chuckling. Shake your head a bit as to say "Oh dear", and finish it with a beasting.
Dave20046
21-01-10, 10:00 AM
No need to be a pr1ck though . You get 'real' bikers on 125s & 2 strokes and other hacks every now and then too. For example if you pulled up next to yc on his gpz and purple 80's cheese leathers and pulled similar antics I think you'd know about it!
I think the 'obviously asbo scum' line is the most important bit but you can't really know.
allantheboss
21-01-10, 10:14 AM
Im not a *****, I choose my battles wisely. I don't normally feel threatened when they're wearing a hoodie and trackies. I know that there are 125's that will go faster than me, I assumed people would have thought I know that; next time I will be more specific when making a joke.
I often wave - but wearing winter 2 finger gloves, its more like "live long and prosper" :?
matt_rehm_hext
21-01-10, 11:02 AM
I was a teen on the 125 I still own, and I don't have an asbo or children. No point ever revving my CG hard, you'd barely hear it anyway!
But I see what you mean with idiot moped riders (chav's) mainly, who only wear a helmet as the only protection, and their riding is so bad, road attitude awful and just downright idiots.
thedonal
21-01-10, 11:17 AM
You mean that none of you do star jumps when you see another biker?
Oh
Dave20046
21-01-10, 11:51 AM
Im not a *****, I choose my battles wisely. I don't normally feel threatened when they're wearing a hoodie and trackies. I know that there are 125's that will go faster than me, I assumed people would have thought I know that; next time I will be more specific when making a joke.
Sorry thought you were being serious, and I wasn't calling you a pr1ck was just saying don't be one!
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