Next time, try waving

Who died and made you motorcycle God? [“Why on Earth Are You Waving at Me,” June 5 Xpress]. I have been riding for 40 years and enjoy acknowledging fellow bikers. The simple gesture is just that — a way to say, "Hey brother (or sister), I like your ride.”

I have never had anyone tell me that they mistook my gesture as a left turn, right turn or stop. And by the way, since you can't seem to remember to turn off your turn signal, perhaps you should break down and buy a bike that does have canceling turn signals. Yes they do have them. Your turn signal on for several miles is much more annoying than my simple wave.

I very seldom have come across a bike on the side of the road that I did not stop for. Try it — it may soften that big old grouchy jerk persona you mentioned you have.

— Mark Muhlenfeld
Candler

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

About Webmaster
Mountain Xpress Webmaster Follow me @MXWebTeam

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

4 thoughts on “Next time, try waving

  1. Norman Plombe

    Did you even read my letter? I haven’t had flashing turn signals on a bike….ever. (I think I wrote that I’ve never forgotten to put my arm back down. I’m not saying they mistake your silly wave for a turn signal. I’m saying they mistake my turn signal for a wave and disregard it. Auto cancellers on bikes simply don’t work in real traffic situations. I don’t want to be motorcycle god to the great unwashed. I want to be left alone by you guys…and yet you keep replying.

  2. boatrocker

    I can’t wait to build a vintage car (ahem-excuse me-‘cager’) from the ground up with no turn signals and brag about it online either.

    That way, when a cute little motorcyclist breaks the laws of the road, well, Darwin called it natural selection.

    Honestly, I’m giving every genuine gentlemanly biker the evil eye now thinking it’s you- and giving them enough space on the road to fulfill your own ‘outlaw’ driving destiny.

  3. Norman Plombe

    I don’t really see your point here…cars didn’t come with turn signals until sometime in the early fifties…In some areas, flashing turn signals were even illegal on vehicles. I don’t know what outlaw destiny you’re talking about either. You can’t just dream up stuff and accredit it to me to fulfil your desire for an argument. Nobody on a bike cares about your evil eye, as it’s far more concerning that most car drivers act like they’re trying to kill us. Maybe we should start wavint to every car too.
    Heck, wave to everybody. Wave with both hands and feet if you want. I’ll still think it’s foolish.

  4. boatrocker

    Bless your heart, Norman.

    When you call a responsible car driver a “cager”, then you lose all credibility.

    Period. End of story.

    Unless you’d care to acknowledge other drivers on the road. The Law of Superior Mass, that is. Address that please?

    2 wheeled YMCA leather-clad motorcyclists can act so cute like a diva Barbie doll sometimes. Especially when they selectively follow traffic laws that ‘cagers’ follow. Selective turn signals and all.

    Ike the prez built the Interstate highway system, the same prez who cautioned against the Military Industrial Complex in his farewell speech in the late 1950’s. As a safe driver, I still like Ike.

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.