Bike Utah Valley

I noticed a peculiar phenomenon when I began cycling a few years ago. My cousin and I would be out on a ride together, and as we passed other cyclists, it was the norm to wave at each other. It didn’t matter what size road, what town, or who the other cyclists were. We waved and kept on riding.

I now wave at (or at the very least, acknowledge with a friendly nod) almost every cyclist I pass, and they frequently do the same. Over the years, I have often thought about why this is. Here are a few of my explanations for why we wave:

1. Waving provides affirmation of your membership in a club
You get the feeling that you and the other cyclist are enjoying a good inside joke. Except it’s not really a joke, it’s just a healthy way to travel that reduces pollution, saves money, improves your fitness, helps you enjoy the outdoors, and lowers America’s dependency on foreign commodities.

2. It’s easy to wave because there are still relatively few cyclists
You realize that you’re only going to see a handful of riders. The low number of cyclists makes it a delightful surprise when you actually pass one.

3. You’re not separated by steel and glass
Isn’t it funny how alone we are as we wait at a stop light in our car? Though we’re surrounded by other people, we look straight ahead lest we catch the guy next to us picking his nose. We fiddle with our radio, inch closer to the car in front of us, and generally kill time in awkward solidarity while we wait for the light to change. The same goes for the moments when we’re driving. Out on a bike though, there are no boundaries. We share the same air, and hence, we wave.

And here are two reasons why I think we should wave at everybody:

1. Waving helps”keep it real”
If you haven’t already noticed, we cyclists are a vain lot. Sometimes I think we wave to draw attention away from the fact that we’re scoping you out. We’re trying to analyze you and pass all sorts of unjustified stereotypes on you based on the name written on your bike and what you’re wearing. Please, stop doing this. Keep it real and wave to congratulate your fellow human being for using the same commendable mode of transportation as you.

2. Waving helps encourage more cycling
It sounds simple, but waving can make someone feel more welcome. Wave so that we continue to see more and more people out on bikes. Let them in on the “joke”. Encourage them. The world will be a better place for it.

What do you think? Am I making a big deal out of nothing? Will waving make any difference at all? Comments are open!