The Wave
Mon, May 11, 2020 
A wave of the hand has to be one of the simplest and yet basic of human gestures. A wave can say, “Hi,” or it can say, Thank you.”
Most important a wave to a stranger is saying, “I acknowledge your existence, I am not ignoring you.”
The wave immediately says, “I am friendly towards you.” Even the most hostile and aggressive of drivers, will give another driver a thank you wave, if they slow and let them in.
In fact if you don’t get a thank you wave, you feel slightly offended, somehow deprived, “Hey, I let you in and I didn’t get a thank you wave, where’s my thank you wave?”
Some cyclists will not return a wave to another cyclist, or will not do so unless they are wearing Lycra and a helmet like them. Total bull-shit. I know it must be terribly hard if you are lying down comfortably on those aero bars, to struggle up to give a proper wave, but at least raise a hand, make the effort.
Unless you are a serious time-trialist, or tri-athlete, it might be a good excuse to dump the aero bars. Set yourself free to sit up and wave to the whole world.
I wave to everybody when I am riding, not just people who look like me, other people on any kind of a bike, those walking, running, or on skate-boards.
Even ladies pushing babies in strollers. They are all people like me, out getting some fresh air, and exercise. Sometimes, I get a wave back but not always, I don’t feel deprived or offended if I don’t.
If I see a driver waiting to turn in front of me, or pull out from a side road, I give a wave. This time it is more of an attention getter, “See me, I’m over here.” Rather like the wave to a waiter in a busy restaurant.
However, it is still a friendly gesture, and the driver may interpret it as, “Thank you for waiting, and not pulling in front of me. Often, they will wave back, which is very nice. It means they have seen me, but more important they acknowledge my existence, and my right to be on the road.
A wave costs me nothing, and yet it gives so much. It gives me a great deal of satisfaction and pleasure, makes my ride a better experience.
If you are not in the habit of waving, I can recommend it. It is good for the soul, yours, and your fellow travelers.
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Reader Comments (4)
Driving past another truck on a long lonely country road the wave is often just lifting two fingers, either from the hand on the top of the steering wheel or your hand out the window resting on the rearview mirror.
Like you say, just acknowledge people.
There are times it is unsafe to wave. Making eye contact and nodding should do.
Young children riding their bikes always get a wave or a ding of my bell when out riding. It usually brings a smile to their face and they really seem to enjoy being noticed by the big kids. And it usually gets a wave or a smile from their parent.
I, too, am an inveterate waver. I wave and say hello to all cyclists -even mountain bikers!- and especially the moody too-cool-for-school wannabe racers; I wave to old ladies walking their dogs; I wave to the farmer driving his tractor.
I've even got into the habit of waving or giving the thumbs-up to cars that overtake using the opposite lane leaving plenty of room. I figure this will encourage drivers to do it more often, and it seems to work. If the first car gives a wide berth (and gets the thumbs-up) the other cars tend to follow suit (so they too get a thumbs-up).
In the beautiful Basque Country the cyclists (of which there are many) don't wave, they give each other a nod where the head goes up.
Enjoying the blog. Keep up the good work. Take care, now.