Why We Should Always Biker Wave

Waving and riding have always gone together for me. The camaraderie of the road and riding two wheels just fit. Those other riders are the only people who get what it feels like.

More and more those other riders wave back less. There was a time that I got mad, thought they were rude, and tragically fell into that all too human trap of thinking negatively about that other rider.

What I have come to realize with age, understanding, and wisdom is they might just not know or understand the wave. Maybe they are thinking of other things and while they didn’t wave back they appreciated the wave. Maybe that wave made them smile and they waved at the next rider.

People are more connected than ever. I can message across the world, video chat anywhere, post pictures, videos, and “talk” to my followers on social media anytime day or night. What I can’t always do is be present in the moment. That small gesture between riders is an understanding of the passion, the lunacy, and the need that is riding a motorcycle.

Don’t wave expecting it to be returned, wave to show you get it. Wave because you want to connect, wave because that rider could use the wave to brighten an otherwise lonely day. Wave at all bikes, big and small, foreign and domestic. Wave because you mean it. I know if I see you I’ll wave your way. It may be a peace sign, drop it low, or even just a finger lift but I will acknowledge you on the road. If I happen to not wave and you did. Know I appreciate and I’ll pass it on to the next rider.

/biker wave