Why Motorcyclists Wave

Motorcyclists are notorious wavers. We wave at everyone – fellow motorcyclists, automobiles, bicyclists, pedestrians, squirrels… whoever. If you share the road with us, you get a wave.

Of course, there is more behind that than simple acts of politeness – although that’s the veneer those meanings are hidden behind. We wave for good reason. 

Actually, make that reasons, plural. Motorcyclists’ waves break down into two basic categories: us and them.

When Waving at Fellow Motorcyclists:

Even if you’re new to motorcycling, you’ve likely taken notice of the ubiquitous “biker wave.” That’s when riders greet one another with a two-fingered wave pointed toward the pavement. 

The downward modification of the peace sign is designed to communicate a general wish for a safe ride, i.e. “keep your wheels under you.”

This particular style of wave has been adopted by riders as a sign of solidarity – a tribal connection and recognition that we, despite our many differences, belong to a very special community of like-minded individuals who share a common passion.

The biker wave actually has a long and rich history, although the veracity of the claims surrounding its origins remain an open question. The preferred story suggests that the biker wave actually began as a regular greeting between Harley-Davidson founders Arthur Davidson and William Harley. And as motorcycles were still quite rare in those days, when seen by others, this wave was misinterpreted as a key part of an emerging motorcycle culture.

And as a result, it effectively became just that as motorcycles gained popularity with the public at large, growing in numbers and spreading their reach.

In fact, the biker wave became such a vital part of the experience, that in the 1940s a (less than deadly serious) committee going by the name “Wave Hard and True Biker Society” (WHAT-BS) came together to lay out the official protocols for the wave.

When Waving at Everyone Else:

Arguably the single biggest source of danger when riding a motorcycle boils down to one thing: not being seen. 

With alarming regularity, automobiles cut off motorcyclists, turn left into them at intersections, or run into the backs of them in traffic and later insist that they just didn’t see the rider.

This is a present danger to anyone on two wheels.

Waving is a way to help reduce that threat and do so in the most effective and non-abrasive manner possible.

Think of a wave to drivers as a safety maneuver, albeit one disguised as basic friendliness. Waves naturally capture people’s attention, and done correctly, it’ll be interpreted as a polite gesture rather than an indicator that you’re actively questioning their core competency and attempting to blunt their potential to harm you.

I vividly recall while taking a motorcycle safety course as a teenager, the instructor telling us if it made us feel better to go ahead and mutter insults at the drivers as you wave to them at intersections… so long as you wave to them.

All this waving has the add-on effect of rewarding the good behavior of drivers (that behavior being seeing riders), which will ideally make them think better of motorcyclists more generally while encouraging them to look out for us and give us room in the future.

Waving also serves as an apologetic acknowledgement in traffic. While more vulnerable, motorcycles are also better able to take advantage of small spaces. Drivers will often be frustrated by motorcyclists who lane filter – even if legal and actually speeding up traffic for everyone. A wave that says “thanks and I’m sorry,” may help ease their frustrations just a bit in high-pressure traffic situations. 

That too, can go a long way in making negotiating traffic safer for us all.

Waves are also an excellent way to say goodbye. 👋