Biker Ettiquite - Pulling up beside strangers?

[Brackstone]

Hi All,

I have to say the time I've spent on the road has been great, and 90% of the bikers I see on the road wave to me or I wave back to them and I think that's awesome.

However I had a question about pulling along side of people you don't know.

Is this considered a Faux Pas? Or is it ok?

Reason being is I was on the road earlier the other day while I was stopped at a light a biker turned right by me and waved, I caught up to him at the next intersection and we had a nice chat while at the red light.

However I've had single riders pull up behind me and just stop not coming over to me even if I wave at them behind me.

I just wanted to know what other peoples thoughts and experiences on this subject is. I assume that it's just human nature, some people are friendly and some people aren't. But I just wanted to make sure there wasn't any kind of Biker Code I may be breaking

[dr_bar]

I've had similar experiences. Sometimes they'll come up beside you, sometimes they won't. If you're behind them, you can always try the next lane if it's clear... oh yeah, if there is a second lane...

[erbgottie]

sounds like a cool way to meet your wife , anyways, I've had some chats with a couple fellow riders but sometimes you'll catch an a-hole on a Harley that thinks he's too good for me and my honda (1st hand exp.) but they aren't all a-holes !!

[flynrider]

It is a question of etiquette. Technically speaking, when you occupy a lane on a roadway, the entire lane belongs to you. You're not required to share it with a car or another bike.

When I come up behind another bike at a stop light, I will use the opposite side of the lane and stay behind them. It has nothing to do with being friendly. Many bikers do not like to share lanes with other bikes, as a point of safety. Who am I to tell them different? If they want me to share the lane, they'll just wave me up.

Personally, when it's me stopped at the light, I don't much care if someone pulls up next to me. Unless it's one of those doofus riders that can't seem to get their bike rolling without wobbling all over the place. I've run across this more often in the last few years and have cut back on my old habit of waving the approaching biker up.

[slimcolo]

I will pull up if their bike and mine are the same type. I however will usually not pull up next to someone on a Harley if I am on my dirt bike or pull next to a sport bike if I am on my Harley. I never pull up next to someone wearing colors unless I am on a HD. And its not a marque thing either, I have got dirty looks just pulling a full dresser next to a group of choppers(all HDs) Many Harley dresser riders will accept a Gold Wing rider but not someone on a Borget. I have also noticed different treatment from bikers as well as citizens, depending on which bike I am riding!

[Meanie]

It's up to each individual.

I don't pull next to anyone at a light or anywhere, whether they wave or not. When I come to a stop, I take the center lane. I don't like another coming next to me since I have no idea what their intentions are. Some want to pass which is considered the same as passing me in the same lane while riding and a no-no. You want to talk to me or pass me, then you can do it in the next lane over.

[jack30021]

I'll come up next to them if there is space. Sometimes in heavy traffic you end up behind someone with no way to get next to/around them. So I stay behind them.

It's all about room.

[beardking]

Because of my newbieness, if I come up behind another rider, I stay behind them. If I'm in front, I'm in the middle of the lane basically signaling that I'd prefer to be left alone in my lane. It's not me being rude, it's me being safe. I know that sometimes, when I take off, I'm still a bit wobbly. If someone was next to me during one of my less graceful starts, then I'd be afraid for them as well as myself. Maybe once the newness wears off of me I'll be more accommodating to others, but for now, my lane is mine.

[jstark47]

I don't pull up alongside people I don't know. Only if the other rider turned around and nodded or said something, I might..... OTOH, I try not to get annoyed if another rider does it to me. I bumped into a friendly guy commuting on a Ducati GT1000 that way, who turned out to be local. Cool bike, BTW.

[scan]

I agree about not doing it to someone unless you know them well. When I ride with Loonette I always pull up along the side at the light. If I'm with buddies we line up side by side at the light too. We always ride staggered though, and never ride side by side. I would never pull up next to someone, and I'd be annoyed if someone did it to me.