I don’t know, all these Johnny and Jenny-come-lately’s riding bicycles nowadays. There ought to be a law that says every bicycle sold should come with an ‘etiquette of the road’ booklet. And perhaps a test to prove people have read it and understood it. A highway code of bicycling etiquette, if you will.
It feels like on every ride I make these days I lose count of the number of cyclists who completely blank my nod, smile and wave of greeting as we pass each other on the road. I’m not picky about who I greet, either. If someone is riding a bicycle I will assume that they are a decent type - after all, most likely they have chosen a bicycle for their journey over a motor car, and that’s more than enough for me. Naturally this may not be true, but since we pass each other in the blink of an eye, what can it hurt to think positively about someone? Life is too short, and all that.
But no, time and again the rider on the other side of the road stares straight ahead, refusing to acknowledge the presence of another bicyclist. I would understand if I were talking about a city with enormous numbers of commuters buzzing along, but this is the Devon countryside we’re talking about here. And although the number of bicycles has grown exponentially in the past year or two it is still a long way from roads being an unbroken stream of pedalling frenzy.
The oldsters know the score of course. That chap on the immaculate steel Harry Hall? Always a hand fully off the bars and a cheery wave. Top man. The gaggle of grey haired tourers in fluorescent jackets and bar bags? Always a smile and a polite nod of acknowledgement. Marvellous. But the idiot on the new Pinarello and the Sky kit with his saddle too low and knees all over the place? He’s too busy thinking he’s Bradley Wiggins to deign to recognise your presence. Probably hasn’t even heard of The Action either. Git. Or the bloke on the time trial Cervelo, in short sleeves and shorts when the temperature is barely into double figures; in full aero position, going downhill, with a tailwind, like a snail? The effort it takes to nod a greeting is hardly going to upset the airflow over your helmet. Fool.
Not that I’m going to change my ways, you understand. And whilst I’ll continue to mutter ‘well f*** you too then, git’ under my breath every time some impolite newbie finds the tarmac in front of them more attractive than the sight of my spinning legs (actually put like that I can fully understand their decisions) I will remain devout in my belief that on a fundamental level anyone who rides a bicycle is worthy of my respect. Even when they’re not.
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