The Biker Wave--Rules??

graphic via clker.com

What's Up With This? 

Before we even get started on this one, let's just make one thing perfectly clear. There ARE no hard, fast rules about the biker wave. EVERYTHING under the sun comes into play when deciding who waves, who gets waved at and what wave is used.

The wave is probably one of the hottest and most debated topics among bikers (and non-bikers), with everyone having their own opinion about what it means and who does it.

Here are some thoughts that people online have about the biker wave:

• Bikers only wave at bikers riding the same style of bike
• Bikers only wave at people on bikes
• Bikers only wave at the same brand of bike
• Harley riders don't wave. 
• Yamaha riders don't wave. 
• Honda riders don't wave. 
• Sport's bike riders don't wave. 
• Bikers only wave at people wearing or not wearing the same type of gear. 
• Bikers don't wave at anyone riding a better bike
• Bikers don't wave at someone riding a worse bike
• Bikers don't wave at anyone wearing lesser gear. Or better gear. 
• Bikers don't wave at the opposite sex. 
• Bikers don't wave at certain colors of bikes. 
• Bikers only wave at people they know. 
• Bikers only wave when they are in a good mood. 

Wow! Now that is a lot to remember. Obviously, anytime a biker doesn't wave at you, that means that it is because of the bike he rides or the gear he is wearing. If these rules were true, there wouldn't be a whole lot of waving going on in the world.

Yet, here in Oklahoma, rules seem to be a bit more relaxed. Here are what local bikers say about greetings of the road:

• Bikers wave if it is safe to do so. 
• Bikers wave at anything on two wheels, unless those two wheels are doing something really stupid and dangerous
• Bikers wave at people they know if they aren't on bikes
• Bikers wave at three and sometimes four wheels too

Hmmm...maybe it is geographical. Or maybe, like some conspiracy theorists (who had their own wave ignored one time) believe...waves are all a form of secret communication between bikers planning to take over the world and rid it of all bikes that they don't like. In which case, it helps to throw people off guard by waving at them even if they are riding the wrong color of bike.

About The Wave

Greetings between bikers didn't just magically appear one day. They gradually crept into culture. Over time, they have meant different things. Back when there were very few bikers on the roads of America, the greeting was an acknowledgement of a fellow free spirit and enthusiast. Today, it is a tradition.

According to legend, the men behind HD motorcycles started the whole thing. Arthur Davidson and William Harley met each other on the road and waved one day. Someone took that to mean that it was a secret code among bikers.

Whether or not that is true we may never know. We also can't know why one guy on a bike will wave when another won't. Maybe he just didn't see you, or maybe he has had the bike for less than ten minutes and is afraid of letting go of the handlebars.

What we do know is that it is just friendly to wave. But only when it is practical. Waving in the middle of rush hour to a bike that is six lanes over isn't practical.They probably can't even see you. Waving at night or during a downpour is pointless for the same reason.

How Should You Wave? 

Wouldn't you know it? No one can agree on this part either! There are endless variations, and no matter which one you use, someone is going to think it is wrong.

• Hand extended to the side and downwards, palm forward

• Hand extended down with one, two or three fingers extended as well. 

• Finger or fingers lifted from the handlebars

• Hand raised slightly from the handlebars

• Hand raised in partial wave to the side

• Full Wave (enthusiastic HI!)

• Or just a nod

• Peace Sign

• Thumbs Up

Or, if you are super-talented and have cruise control...you could do all of these at the same time.

Open To Interpretation

So now you are even less enlightened than you were when you started reading this. That is okay. We aren't sure which wave is right now either. The best solution is to just pick a salute and make it your own.

After all, who likes rules anyway?