I was sitting at an intersection the other day waiting on a stop light to
turn. What was obviously a new rider approached from my right and made a left turn through the
intersection. At about the mid-point he noticed me sitting there and must have felt compelled by that
'brotherhood-of-bikers' thing to wave. His bike swerved, and though he recovered, he'd clearly had a very
close call. Although some are a bit tongue in cheek, it occurred to me that passing on a few
guidelines on waving would be appropriate. I hope you enjoy my list.
| Rider in or approaching an intersection. |
Don't wave. A new rider may try to wave back. |
| Rider in heavy traffic. |
Even if traffic is light in your direction, don't wave. Again, and new rider may try to wave back. |
| You are in heavy traffic. |
Do NOT, I repeat, do NOT crane your neck to see over the Jersey wall. What's going on in the east bound side is not your concern. Survival takes precedence over brotherhood-of-bikers protocol. |
| Kid on a moped. |
Wave. It will make you both feel good. |
| Both you and another rider are stopped at an intersection. |
You don't have to shift into neutral just to wave. A knowing nod is more appropriate. |
| Mountain roads. |
Keep your hands on the controls. |
| Rider on a different brand bike.
. |
Don't be a jerk. Wave. A bike is a bike. |
| Multiple riders in formation.
. |
Wave to the leader. |
| You're in formation. |
Let the leader wave. Your job is to maintain your spacing. |
| Rider overtaking you. |
Wave just before you're passed. |
| Overtaking a rider. |
Wave as you go by. |
| Beautiful day, wide country road, light traffic. |
Wave at everyone. If you're not enjoying the day sell your bike. |
| Rain. |
Wave. If rain makes you miserable, take your car instead. |
| Hottie on the sidewalk. |
Use caution if you have a backseater. On second thought, go ahead. Seeing your head bob up and down from the blows to your helmet will be quite entertaining. |
| Someone in a car waves to you. |
Wave back. Doesn't matter if they ride or not, they are a friendly. |
| Kids |
ALWAYS wave. |
| Motorcycle police. |
Wave if you want, but they don't usually wave back. |
| Approaching, or departing from, a motorcycling event. |
Within one mile of the event, the 'brotherhood of bikers' requirement to wave is lifted, so give your arm a break. |
| You waved, but I didn't wave back. |
Don't take it personally. I was lighting a cigar. |
