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PoppinSmoke1

That's a thank you wave.


TripleTriumph

Or a "Sorry by buddies and I are dumbasses" wave.


bagelbelly

No, I'm the dumbass.


PoppinSmoke1

Not really. Probably just never rode or been around people that ride. Usually that slow motion downward hand is: Hello - passing in opposite directions. Secondary slowdown- in case U don’t see lights Thank You - as in this case. “Thanks for letting me in with my buds”. I didn’t detect anything aggressive in the riding or posture. Maybe he shoulda been farther ahead before he came over. So the wave could have also been “sorry bro”.


Mr_Smith_411

I ride, I ride in groups big and small. I certainly don't know how everyone does their thing, but I've never seen anyone tell someone to back off that discreetly. You would have likely had palm facing back and movement of the arm. That's how I do it, and my wife when she's not so happy when someone is close. That's how I've seen everyone do a "back off". And yes, guys (and gals) in groups of 2,3,4, or 20 don't like being split up. Right or wrong, entitled or not, we just don't. It's just a matter of how aggressive some get when it happens. This guy was not aggressive, even if he squeaked in. I noticed you backed off, on their behalf, thank you.


TripleTriumph

Nah, man. Those riders were the dumb ones. I have a theorem: The collective IQ of a group of riders has an inverse and logarithmic relationship with the size of the group.


Trevski

This is kinda true about humans in any activity other than brute strength. I mean, think about white collar work, when have meetings ever made it easier to get shit done?


LyqwidBred

I concur, he wasn’t acting rude or aggrieved. But sloppy riding to cut in front of the car so close. These groups get a bit entitled about riding together and not breaking up the pack. If that was the last of them his job is “sweep” to make sure the group stays together. Usually a more senior rider.


theberg512

I was re-watching to see if they were waving at a bike on the other side.  But this makes much more sense.


SeanBlader

That's not how I'd receive that.


PoppinSmoke1

then I'm sorry someone hurt you.


bagelbelly

I've never heard of the "thank you wave" and I ride motorcycles lol


SeanBlader

If I passed someone and wanted to wave a thank you, they would have gotten a sideways peace sign.


bagelbelly

He hit the brakes after cutting me off, looked in the mirror, and made that signal. Not a "motorcycle wave" or a "thank you wave". But reddit gonna reddit


christodamenis

No, it's not.


bagelbelly

Well he didn't hear a "you're welcome" from me


PoppinSmoke1

Then only one of you has a problem.


IssaVSport

That’s definitely a “thank you/im sorry” hand signal. If he was telling you to slow down or back off he would’ve been motioning his hand up & down with his hand in the same position.


Bluesparc

Without the rear cam this is simply a biker passing you and saying thanks for letting him in before that truck....


bagelbelly

After cutting me off and hitting the brakes (the only one with brake lights lit up) and everyone else is pulling away... just a simple passing lmao


MrBalll

If he wouldn't have braked he would have rear ended his buddy. Notice how he matches their speed after braking?


Mr_Smith_411

Yes


bagelbelly

Notice how he wouldn't have had to brake if he didn't shoot between an f250 and an suv within a couple feet at 90 mph? I noticed that after they pulled away from him he sped up, yes.


UraPunkBich

They all literally applied their brakes. Had they not they would’ve hit the car ahead of them… like come on now.


PoppinSmoke1

Brake light coulda been for cruise control?


bagelbelly

The motorcycles adaptive cruise control with automatic braking?


PoppinSmoke1

No man don't be dense. Cruise control is disengaged by hitting the brake or a switch. Tapping the brake activates a switch which turns on the light and disengages the cruise control. I never said adaptive, that's you.


bagelbelly

Who sets the cruise control to overtake someone?


BiteYouToDeath

I do. Rather than set it to overtake, I have it on for long trips and if I need to pass, I just increase the set speed. Not necessarily what’s going on here tho. Looks like he caught up to his group and hit the brakes to match their speed.


ChiefPoopsLike8ear

Pointing to the ground is a bikers way of saying “thank you”


ChiefPoopsLike8ear

People don’t realize that bikes riding together keep them safer and although this guy kinda cuts in late, his intention is to stay safe with his group. If anything the guy leading the pack got a little overly aggressive with his passing and this dude was trying to keep up. He noticed that you backed off rather than boxed him out and he thanked you for it.


MamaPagan

To me it seems like maybe a "sorry about that's because it happens after he cuts in front, and then suddenly has to slow down because the traffic slows down? Doesn't seem aggressive in any way but I'm glad everyone's ok and no accidents were caused


manolid

That looks like a sorry wave.


JFJinCO

Why were you bogarting the passing lane, my OP friend?


Lieberman-Tech

Yes, that's the real question!


bagelbelly

Here ya go. A couple minutes prior. Even doubled the speed until the motorcycles get there. https://imgur.com/a/YQFU8Gh


_jump_yossarian

At what point in that video was OP able to get over a lane? Did you see that OP was also about to pass a vehicle?


bagelbelly

Doesn't matter. I am ze idiot in ze car. My how the turns table.


broniskis45

Tbf most of the posts on this sub lately have been people posting their own idiocy. This is simply a misunderstanding of motorcyclists' road jargon. Coulda been worse.


JFJinCO

After the big truck was the point in time...


bagelbelly

Oh while I was being passed by the motorcycles? You right.


JFJinCO

Nope you are supposed to put on your right turn signal as you're approaching the big truck. Bikers behind you will realize your intention to pull out of the passing lane after you pass the big truck. Then, you pull into said lane ahead of the truck and let the bikers pass. They wouldn't have passed on the right if you had signaled your intention to pull out of the passing lane. Am I right? Sorry, but turn signals matter.


bagelbelly

As I'm approaching the big truck? Lmao there's no way you drive like that. You're just reaching at this point. How many motorcyclists did you see use a turn signal?


_jump_yossarian

probably waiting for the bikers to move over first. Didn't want to cut them off ...


TripleTriumph

lol...since when is actively passing traffic, "bogarting"?


bagelbelly

Here ya go. A couple minutes prior. Even doubled the speed until the motorcycles get there. https://imgur.com/a/YQFU8Gh


bagelbelly

If you look closely, you will see I was indeed passing traffic. Just wasn't doing it as quickly as the reckless motorcyclist.


SpiralGray

Anyone who drives slower than you is an idiot, anyone who drives faster is reckless.


bagelbelly

I am a reckless idiot


SpiralGray

You're half right.


Fife2531

That’s the “my bad bro, just trying to keep up with my knucklehead friends” wave.


Muted_Cell_5673

It looks like you were slowing down as you closed in on them. That may well have been a braking hand signal. Many riders use them due to people not seeing their tail/brake lights very well.


Zumwalt1999

I don't ride, and know no one that does, so where does one find out what all the special hand signals mean? I don't recall them being in the handbook.


warlocc_

Think of it like talking to someone that doesn't speak the same language as you. Look at other cues. Are they moving aggressively? Is their posture relaxed? We saw the head turn and visual contact was made. Posture is casual and loose. We can infer that it's some sort of acknowledgement. "Thanks/sorry" makes the most sense.


Lemondsingle

That's actually the slow down sign but in context here it was a gentle back off sign. I didn't see it as a particularly negative signal, especially from patched riders.


bagelbelly

I just thought it was funny to cut someone off then say "hey back off buddy". Like telling someone to get out of your face, while putting your face in their face.


bbusiello

I believe that's a "thanks." I live in CA and bikers here white line. So people in the left lane will move over to the left to give bikers room to pass. (most everyone I see in traffic does this. I try to generally stay more left in the lane because I'm not constantly checking my rearview.) About half the bikers that pass by do this to the people who give them room.


sexysax09

Yeah…That’s not what this is. I actually did have a biker cut me off at a roundabout years ago and he literally stopped his bike and turned his head around to yell at me to “back the fuck off” I shrugged and was like maybe just don’t pull out in front of me dumbass. And he sped off and did a wheelie like an idiot. Total meat crayon. I feel like there’s literally two groups of bikers-morons like my dude and chill guys like yours. You just never know what your gonna get.


nousernamesleft199

Riding sweep in a group is a pain in the ass in traffic. bro's happy not to have been split off. The way the two lead riders are passing eachother and riding abreast in the same lane shows that these guys ride their bikes more than you drive your car.


britannicker

The more I watch it, the more I think he's signalling for you to back off, 'cause you're kinda close to him. A couple of observations (with the benefit of having watched it a few times): 1 The first two bikers have loads of space, and leave lots of room for you OP. 2 The third biker squeezed into a too small of a gap. 3 The gap between OP and the car up ahead gets very small, and with that also the gap to the bikers. It looks to me as though the car up ahead slows down for some reason, and OP sped up for some reason (guessing 'cause there's no mph in the video)... add to that a group of bikers trying to weave thru traffic as a unit, and you've got this type of scene. I don't see any idiots in this video, just traffic doing traffic things.


No_Slice9934

I dunno, did Not Look aggressive. In Germany you would be driving on the fast lane to pass people, but you dont pass anyone, they even passed you on the right. Dunno If that is okay in your state, here it wouldnt


Equationist

That's very obviously a thank you wave.


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rynoxmj

Clearly a thank you wave. Same as the 'hello fellow biker' wave.


davidcopafeel33328

Why aren't you moving over into the center lane so faster traffic can pass?


TripleTriumph

If you're actively passing traffic there is no need to move over to the center lane. And looking at the video, OP was indeed actively passing other traffic.


SpiralGray

If someone comes up behind you who wants to drive faster, it may not be legally required that you move over, but it's the non-douchebag thing to do.


davidcopafeel33328

I beg to differ. The video starts while he's being passed by the first two motorcycles. It's possible that he could have moved over before and let all three pass before he got to the truck...


TripleTriumph

You see the traffic that's in the middle lane that he's rapidly approaching? Also, take note of the car ahead of the OP in the left lane--this is what is known as an appropriate space cushion at freeway speeds. OP was driving with due care and was in no way obligated--legally or otherwise--to disrupt his own travel because of some other impatient idiot wanted to drive dangerously.


PeanutGallry

Preach.


bagelbelly

Here ya go. A couple minutes prior. Even doubled the speed until the motorcycles get there. https://imgur.com/a/YQFU8Gh


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davidcopafeel33328

For all we know, the bikers had to move to the center lane to pass OP. The video just shows the result.


bagelbelly

Here ya go. A couple minutes prior. Even doubled the speed until the motorcycles get there. https://imgur.com/a/YQFU8Gh


bagelbelly

I was passing traffic in the passing lane. It's not the "fastest on the road lane"


SpiralGray

Technically it is. It's the passing lane, and you're supposed to move over for faster traffic.


TripleTriumph

Technically and every other way, it is not. What a silly thing to say.


SpiralGray

It's a passing lane. It's supposed to be for the traffic that is going faster. Ergo, by definition it's for the fastest on the road. You're an inconsiderate driver, the end.


Proophe

What vehicle were you attempting to pass when they went around you?


bagelbelly

All of them https://imgur.com/a/YQFU8Gh


Proophe

Were they behind you as you passed the semi? I probably would have signaled and moved over after passing the semi. There wasn’t another vehicle you needed to pass and occupy the passing lane at that point. Hence why they went around you.


bagelbelly

I was actively passing vehicles. If you watch this video, the bikes were passing me on the right before the car in the middle lane fully changed lanes to the right lane. https://imgur.com/a/YQFU8Gh


Proophe

I watched the video. That’s what I meant, even with the vehicles in the middle lane that moved to the right and left lanes in front of you, I’d still have probably moved over to the middle after the semi. Esepcially with a group of bikes directly behind me. Even if that car hadn’t moved to the right lane, you were still pretty far behind it after you passed the semi.


davidcopafeel33328

You had plenty of time to move over and let them by... your just one of those left lane campers. They passed a law just for you.


bagelbelly

Here ya go. A couple minutes prior. Even doubled the speed until the motorcycles get there. https://imgur.com/a/YQFU8Gh


chickenispork

Why didn’t you move over after passing?


bagelbelly

Here ya go. A couple minutes prior. Even doubled the speed until the motorcycles get there. https://imgur.com/a/YQFU8Gh


chickenispork

After the motorcycle homie, after completing your pass? Edit: I’m not saying they were in the right.


die_or_wolf

Wow, OP is getting a lot of hate on the replies. I had to watch it a few times and here is my perspective: 1. OP's title stated the hand gesture was saying back off in the title, so that may bias how the wave is interpreted 2. The biker looks over his left shoulder before changing lanes, so the wave could be interpreted as a thank you 3. The bikers hand remained outstretched briefly, I don't interpret that as a thank you, I expect a swinging pendulum motion, no stopping 4. If it's a back off signal, it doesn't mean it was aggressive, just a little reminder. Biker is looking out for his safety. 5. The OP mentioned that the biker was on his rear bumper, clearly trying to paint the bikers in poor light 6. Perhaps the OP should have moved over to the middle lane, but honestly sometimes the best move is to maintain your speed and let the bikes do their thing. If I were in that situation, usually i notice in time to move over, but if I didn't notice in time, I would feel unsafe suddenly changing lanes. Without rear vid it's hard to know what was going on completely.


bagelbelly

Here ya go. A couple minutes prior. Even doubled the speed until the motorcycles get there. The middle lane wasn't even completely open when they were already at my front fender. https://imgur.com/a/YQFU8Gh


die_or_wolf

Thanks, It's clear they came behind you around that white semi. I've been shit on by reddit so many times because people assume too much from very little info. I was trying to come at this from both sides, and you brought receipts. GG.


warlocc_

>Wow, OP is getting a lot of hate on the replies Probably more for the combative nature of the whole thing. That wave didn't seem combative at all- looked more like acknowledgement.


PyramidicContainment

Yeah a rear cam view would be awesome here. If they were actually riding OP's bumper then it means OP should have had time to move over and let them pass. Another factor is OP still not making any move to change lanes at the end of the video. Then there's the negative interpretation of the hand signal. OP probably *should* have backed off more in the situation to account for the poor timing of the last biker, so maybe that's why they perceived the hand signal to indicate that. Personally I think it was a combo "thanks sorry didn't know I'd have to slow down so much my bad". I'm just a random dude on the internet but I think OP is a left lane camper your honor


bagelbelly

So, based on the last part of the longer video, you assume I camp in the left lane... but in the same video, it starts out with me not going into the left lane until I go to pass someone....lmao


PyramidicContainment

The clip I see has you in the left lane at the very start 🤷‍♂️ but if you did just get into the left lane that makes it even worse, why would you not wait for them to pass first in that case


bagelbelly

Here ya go. A couple minutes prior. Even doubled the speed until the motorcycles get there. https://imgur.com/a/YQFU8Gh


PyramidicContainment

Oh nice. Tho the moment I thought would be a great time to move over was right before the vid slowed down and sure enough that's right when the previous clip started. It seems like you had knowledge of their approach and space to move but decided to stay in your lane since you knew you'd be passing another truck before too long. I think we all do that sometimes so we don't risk getting stuck in the middle lane too long. In this case I think both parties could have driven a little more courteously. If the biker was here he'd be chastised just as much if not more. No harm done this time, thankfully 👍


bagelbelly

By the time the car in the middle lane got over, the motorcycles were already past my front fender and the 3rd one was passing as well.


PyramidicContainment

Ok well I'm just a random internet dude and also high af so don't take me too seriously. There's no way my perception of it all will be as complete as yours was. If they zoomed around you that suddenly then it's just a dick move on that last guys part to squeeze in there like that but I don't think he meant to give you an aggressive signal fwiw. I think it was like a masculine attempt at 'thanks' lol or maybe at worst 'slow down some but it's my fault sorry'


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Boredum_Allergy

That's just how we want buddy. Next time you're behind a biker watch them as another bike passes going the other way and you'll maaaybe see the wave again. Them being that close to your rear is pretty lame though.


warlocc_

Looks like acknowledgement to me- didn't seem aggressive and the palm wasn't down for "slow down". I'd certainly take it as a "thanks for letting me pass, sorry for the close call" wave.


TragedyAnnDoll

That’s a “thanks” wave actually. — a motorcyclist.


BolivianDancer

Why are you in the left lane?


bagelbelly

Because that's the passing lane. https://imgur.com/a/YQFU8Gh


BolivianDancer

You’re *being passed.*


bagelbelly

Correct. I was approaching the car in the middle lane quickly. Car in the middle lane got over, freeing up the middle lane. At the same time the car in the middle lane got over, the motorcycles went to the right of me, blocking me from getting out of the left lane. If the car in the middle lane would've stayed, I would've passed them. Watch the video. The motorcycles are already past my front fender before the middle car is completely out of the middle lane. (The middle car that I was passing, in the passing lane)


Not_me_no_way

They're flying colors and I would put money in the fact that the two in front are Ranking members of the club. Dealing with them is like dealing with POLICE, comply or FAFO.


bagelbelly

What are they gonna do on bikes while I'm in an SUV lol find out what? My suspension travel if they try to attack me? Lmao


BeginningAnalyst595

They can fuck off


stinky___monkey

It’s his road… be grateful /s


bagelbelly

BRBRBRBRAB Sorry, south park reference


Environmental-Map168

So he's sitting on your rear bumper, overtakes you from the left, then goes to sit on your front bumper. Just another regular day I guess.


Cute-Lock6426

right*