A Simple Little Wave

This is a short column about a small thing that can make a big difference.

Much has been written over the years--a lot of it by me--on the subject of good relations between cyclists and motorists...sharing the road. I don't want to rehash the whole subject here about who's right and who's wrong, or who's rude and who's a scofflaw. There is blame enough and praise enough for everyone to have a share.

I'm not interested right now in those extreme confrontations, where tempers flare, harsh words fly, and single digits are flipped. We know these things happen. We deal with them as best we can when we have to. As nasty as these little spats are, and as vividly as we experience them, they really only comprise a tiny percentage of all the interactions between bike riders and car drivers.

I'm interested in all the other occasions when these two camps meet. For the most part, the meetings are benign...ships passing in the night. Car passes bike and both continue on their way...end of story. Unlike those road rage incidents where the drivers and sometimes the cyclists are already angry and already predisposed to hate the other party, in most meetings on the road, the drivers are either neutral or friendly in their feelings toward cyclists. At worst, they feel mildly inconvenienced at having to slow for a few seconds until it's safe to pass, but they don't turn this into a frustrated flash point.

This vast army of more-or-less neutral drivers is like a huge pool of undecided voters in the months leading up to an election. They're not pro-bike. They're not anti bike. Any interaction they have with cyclists that is positive will tend to stick with them, and make them more inclined to feel kindly toward bikes and bike riders in the future. They'll be more inclined to give you the benefit of the doubt, to exercise a little more patience and find in themselves a little more courtesy the next time around. And so I use every opportunity I can to leave these passing motorists with a positive impression of their brief encounter with me, a cyclist.

One of the easiest ways I have found of doing this is by waving motorists by me when they want to overtake. Obviously, on bigger roads, with the cyclist well off on a wide shoulder, there is little need for cars to slow and wait for a safe place to pass. But on narrow country roads, with no shoulders and lots of curves and blind hilltops, it is an everyday occurrence for cars to check up behind riders, waiting patiently or not so patiently for a clear line of sight to make their move.

In these cases, a rider out ahead of the car--especially a rider at the head of a long file of bikes, with the car stuck at the back of the line--will have a much better chance of seeing over the hilltop or around the corner, long before the driver can see or make a decision to go. If I can see that it's clear--and that's a big if--I will wave the car by. The big IF is being certain it really is clear and safe for the pass. You don't want to get the car half-way past a paceline and then have him meet an oncoming vehicle. That could get ugly, and you'd be responsible. Sometimes, if it seems appropriate, in cases like that, I will warn the car behind me to stay put, with the hand-down-and-back gesture. Then, when it is safe, I give the big, sweeping wave that says, "come on by!"

Also, if a driver has waited patiently behind me for some time, when he does finally get around, I give him a friendly little waggle of the hand as well, as if to say, "thanks for being patient!"

This seems like obvious, common-sense behavior to me. One would think that every cyclist would do it as a matter of course. And yet I see most cyclists not bothering to extend this little courtesy to motorists. Some may not want to take the responsibility. Most simply never even think about it or can't be bothered.

This is too bad, because I have found that this one, simple, easy gesture creates more good will for cyclists in the minds of drivers than any other thing riders can do while out on the road. I pay attention to this, and I think I can safely say that at least six out of every ten motorists I help around me in this way will give me a little wave back to say thanks. And then I wave back. Nice! When I see that little acknowledgement on their part, I feel as if I've made a new friend for cycling, at least for a day.

I expect for some people, this will seem altogether too sanctimonious and goody goody...about as much sweetness and light as anyone can stand. Well, don't mistake me: I have my bad days too, when all I want to do is rip the lungs right out of some blockhead driver...where I wear my anger like battle armor and look for trouble in every passing vehicle. I know it's not all happy days out there on the road. But usually, I find it more pleasant to try and get along...to meet the other guy halfway and do what I can to smooth out the little wrinkles in life.

To that end, the simple little wave that sends the motorist on his way is a sure-fire winner. It works! The car or truck goes on up the road, leaving you to ride in peace. The driver is happy. You're happy. Everybody wins. Next time you hear that car throttling down behind you, start looking up around the bend. You've just been handed an opportunity to do something positive and helpful for your fellow man, and to make a positive difference for all cyclists as well. Make that simple little wave that can make a big difference.

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