The nod. It’s hard to explain to people who don’t ride a motorcycle. When asked, I often say “it’s like bus drivers who wave at one another”
…but that usually triggers the response “but they know each other from work”
…and then I’m left saying “Well it’s just what bikers do!”
The nod isn’t international, but there’s always something
Riding across different countries, particularly Europe, you’ll notice different kinds of acknowledgements between bikers.
Sports bike riders in Italy for example, have a habit of sticking their leg out as they pass (no matter the speed!). Others stick out two fingers (not like THAT), but with the index and middle finger pressed together and casually pull their hand to the side or in your direction.
My favourite acknowledgement by far is the BIG WAVE you get from bikers on the motorway in France and Germany, (particularly from adventure bike riders). It makes me laugh, because it seems an enormous amount of effort to take your left hand off the bike at motorway speeds, let your arm get taken by the blasting wind and then fight to pull it back down, all just to say “hello!” to a biker that you can barely see and will probably never see again.
Where did it come from?
Some claim that a ‘wave’ started in 1904 when William Harley passed Arthur Davidson, and since they were friends, they waved at one another. Another passer-by on a motorcycle saw this event, and presumed it to be the norm. Thus, the practice became a tradition.
Keep Britain Biking present an interesting idea which suggests that the nod originates from Knights, whom if approached by another knight bearing the same coat of arms, both knights would raise their helmet visor to reveal their identities to each other. When not in armour – the lifting of the visor was transformed into a salute.
Today
For us, today it’s about supporting and looking out for one another, and appreciating a fellow biker who’s out for a blast, no matter what they’re riding.
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