I take the time to show my appreciation for cagers who see us.

[wiggydotcom]

I posted a similar message a couple years back. I have no idea if the "Start Seeing Motorcycles" signs make any difference in bringing awareness to us riders or not.

But I do something on a personal level that I'd like to see catch on Nationally...by all cyclists.
When I see a vehicle that "might" have time to pull out in front of me--but chooses to wait till I pass, I always give them a friendly wave. The wave is my way of saying, "Thanks for seeing me!"

I don't know if this action makes any difference either, but I'll continue to acknowledge "those who get it".

Yeah, we could all have the attitude, "Cagers are SUPPOSED to see us and give us the right of way" and that would be correct. But I also believe positive re-enforcement might also help to make it engrained in them to be aware of us.

just my .02

[old2soon]

+ at the very least-ONE.  Here in rural Missouri I try to remember that.  Werx fer me! RIDE SAFE.

[Karen]

Same here! If they've seen me, I want to acknowledge their courtesy. Even do that in the car, when there's a conflict.

[Jess from VA]

I have been rendering them a left hand salute (to brim of helmet), with a nod.  (Thank you)

Left handed salutes can be seen as an insult by a military man.... unless he understands the right is busy with the throttle.

I also think that using the old carrot/positive reward is a good practice with human behavior modification (until the hammer/negative reward is required).

What chaps my buns is the person who comes up to a cross street stop sign, stops (that's good), then takes the foot off the brake and starts to roll forward, as I am approaching but before I have passed, making me cover my brakes.  I don't reward them with a regular salute.    

I also tend to roll on the inside of a divided 4 lane (as the law would prefer), but when rolling through a series of cross streets, I tend to get back over to the left lane.  This lets people do a right on a red after stop, but not in front of me.  You still have to watch out they don't do the old (illegal), right turn on a red going across two lanes, because their arm is too tired to turn the steering wheel further.

[Valker]

I taught my kids a version of the "Slug Bug" game except for using motorcycles instead of VWs. "Slug bike" taught all my kids and their friends to actively look for motorcycles. If everybody did this........

[NewValker]

I always give a little wave or head nod to the driver that didn't do the stoopid, but could have.
Last week, I rode to work, and after needed to stop at the hardware store for a couple of metric ss bolts. A woman let me turn left into the parking lot in front of her. I waved thanks, and after losing the helmet & jacket, I walked to the door of the store.
As I got there, that same woman was coming in also, I held the door and said thanks for letting me cut into the parking lot in front of you. When she realized I was the rider she let in, she said thanks for saying thanks. 
Maybe it'll spread...
Craig

[..]

I do too!!!

I thought I was unique.

Oh well, another fantasy shot down.

[gordonv]

I've been doing this for years. A nice nod, or a little wave. When I'm sure that the driver has seen and waited for me to pass, rather than just rushing out in front.

[wiggydotcom]

I do too!!!  That's cool!


I thought I was unique.

Oh, but you are!

Oh well, another fantasy shot down.

If you like your fantasy, you can keep your fantasy...  

Sorry, Britman, just messin with ya!   

[havoc]

I posted a similar message a couple years back. I have no idea if the "Start Seeing Motorcycles" signs make any difference in bringing awareness to us riders or not.

But I do something on a personal level that I'd like to see catch on Nationally...by all cyclists.
When I see a vehicle that "might" have time to pull out in front of me--but chooses to wait till I pass, I always give them a friendly wave. The wave is my way of saying, "Thanks for seeing me!"

I don't know if this action makes any difference either, but I'll continue to acknowledge "those who get it".

Yeah, we could all have the attitude, "Cagers are SUPPOSED to see us and give us the right of way" and that would be correct. But I also believe positive re-enforcement might also help to make it engrained in them to be aware of us.

just my .02

wholeheartedly agree! it never hurts to show appreciation and respect on the road - when due

[Lyonardo]

For me, this also applies to the person who sees my blinker, may have the impulse to speed up to block me, but lets me change lanes.
I can't tell you how many times I change lanes and the car who was 5 to 8 car lengths back suddenly floors it so they can tailgate me for the next few miles. Sometimes a quick wave of thanks is enough to stop that kind of behavior cold.
Let's face it; lots of people see a big bike like ours and automatically think "Jerk!". They feel that any rude behavior toward is probably justified. They're probably not thinking about how dangerous it is.
A little reminder that there's a real person on that bike is a good thing.

[Raider]

I'm in, too.  Been doing it for years.

[shortleg]

I posted a similar message a couple years back. I have no idea if the "Start Seeing Motorcycles" signs make any difference in bringing awareness to us riders or not.

But I do something on a personal level that I'd like to see catch on Nationally...by all cyclists.
When I see a vehicle that "might" have time to pull out in front of me--but chooses to wait till I pass, I always give them a friendly wave. The wave is my way of saying, "Thanks for seeing me!"

I don't know if this action makes any difference either, but I'll continue to acknowledge "those who get it".

Yeah, we could all have the attitude, "Cagers are SUPPOSED to see us and give us the right of way" and that would be correct. But I also believe positive re-enforcement might also help to make it engrained in them to be aware of us.

just my .02

   After the wave I would go father and give them a piece of chocolate.
I think that adds to positive reinforcement
     shortleg 

[wiggydotcom]

I posted a similar message a couple years back. I have no idea if the "Start Seeing Motorcycles" signs make any difference in bringing awareness to us riders or not.

But I do something on a personal level that I'd like to see catch on Nationally...by all cyclists.
When I see a vehicle that "might" have time to pull out in front of me--but chooses to wait till I pass, I always give them a friendly wave. The wave is my way of saying, "Thanks for seeing me!"

I don't know if this action makes any difference either, but I'll continue to acknowledge "those who get it".

Yeah, we could all have the attitude, "Cagers are SUPPOSED to see us and give us the right of way" and that would be correct. But I also believe positive re-enforcement might also help to make it engrained in them to be aware of us.

just my .02

   After the wave I would go father and give them a piece of chocolate.
I think that adds to positive reinforcement
     shortleg 

Now there's one I wouldn't have thought of! 

[..]

I posted a similar message a couple years back. I have no idea if the "Start Seeing Motorcycles" signs make any difference in bringing awareness to us riders or not.

But I do something on a personal level that I'd like to see catch on Nationally...by all cyclists.
When I see a vehicle that "might" have time to pull out in front of me--but chooses to wait till I pass, I always give them a friendly wave. The wave is my way of saying, "Thanks for seeing me!"

I don't know if this action makes any difference either, but I'll continue to acknowledge "those who get it".

Yeah, we could all have the attitude, "Cagers are SUPPOSED to see us and give us the right of way" and that would be correct. But I also believe positive re-enforcement might also help to make it engrained in them to be aware of us.

just my .02

   After the wave I would go father and give them a piece of chocolate.
I think that adds to positive reinforcement
     shortleg 

OK Sheldon 

[Lyonardo]

I like to make sure the window is open, then throw a huge chunk of chocolate as hard as I can... to make sure they get it.
L

I posted a similar message a couple years back. I have no idea if the "Start Seeing Motorcycles" signs make any difference in bringing awareness to us riders or not.

But I do something on a personal level that I'd like to see catch on Nationally...by all cyclists.
When I see a vehicle that "might" have time to pull out in front of me--but chooses to wait till I pass, I always give them a friendly wave. The wave is my way of saying, "Thanks for seeing me!"

I don't know if this action makes any difference either, but I'll continue to acknowledge "those who get it".

Yeah, we could all have the attitude, "Cagers are SUPPOSED to see us and give us the right of way" and that would be correct. But I also believe positive re-enforcement might also help to make it engrained in them to be aware of us.

just my .02

   After the wave I would go father and give them a piece of chocolate.
I think that adds to positive reinforcement
     shortleg 

[Mr Whiskey]

I taught my kids a version of the "Slug Bug" game except for using motorcycles instead of VWs. "Slug bike" taught all my kids and their friends to actively look for motorcycles. If everybody did this........

NICE!
My kids are grown so.....
I'm gonna teach it to the Grandbabies!
Thanks for a Great Idea!

[Steve K (IA)]

Been doing this for some time.  A wave and a nod with a smile.  My way of saying "thanks" for seeing me.

[Hooter]

I taught my kids a version of the "Slug Bug" game except for using motorcycles instead of VWs. "Slug bike" taught all my kids and their friends to actively look for motorcycles. If everybody did this........

NICE!
My kids are grown so.....
I'm gonna teach it to the Grandbabies!
Thanks for a Great Idea!

Can't imagine that his kids aren't bruised and batterred...   They must whack each other constantly.