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?

[timwilky]

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.

[Bibio]

+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

*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.

Originally Posted by Bibio

bmw and harley riders dont nod

*sigh*

[Dave20046]

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.

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]

Originally Posted by davepreston

nod head= hello (not scooters must have gears)

What if it's a lambretta or a vespa?

[dyzio]

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 .

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.