6.06.2008

The other side of busy bike lanes.

Previously I noted that I'm noticing more conflicts on the bike lanes. I attributed this to the influx of newbie trails users and reluctant bike commuters. But there is also a flip side to the equation: aside from all of the obvious benefits of new bike commuters (cleaner air, happier people, fewer cars!!!), I've also noticed one big change; People are actually acknowledging each-other on the trails again. New bike commuters and recreational cyclists are often baffled by the lack of courtesy amongst riders. Most notably the "roadies" that wizz by everyone else without so much as a nod or 'ello! These days though I routinely get nods and greetings all the way to work. While there's nothing wrong with cyclists being in their own groove, I do enjoy the additional human interaction.

4 comments:

Yokota Fritz said...

I need to attach the vidcam to my bike again. Roadies typically acknowledge my greetings; the folks on commuter bikes almost never do. This is on a variety of bikes in various clothing from roadie kit to drunk cyclist grunge.

Dr. Logan said...

That's interesting. I probably spend half of my riding time running errands in normal clothes and the other half in full road kit and in my experience "roadies" are far less sociable. Doesn't bother me, it's just been my observation.

Anonymous said...

My experience more matches Fritz in that I get fewer return greetings from the non-roadies. I assumed it is because newbies are not aware of the greeting custom.

But this is during commute. On the serious/recreational weekend rides, the ratio tends to invert.

Dr. Logan said...

Perhaps the ratio I experience is due to the fact that my commute is on a bike path most commonly used for "serious/recreational rides" as opposed to city streets..? This would follow the logic that those training are more focused on their own riding than outside stimuli which would also explain your experience. Just a thought.