Would you respond to/acknowledge a car driver tapping his roof?

[gixxerjeff]

Would you recognize/acknowledge a roof tap from a passing car?

I work in West Marin and commute on some of my favorite riding roads. Due to my late hours I'm often in my car. (I get off at 11:00pm)
Driving to work today I saw a large number of sport bikes on my way to work. Lots of people off due to COVID19, I presume.
Not long after I noticed a radar gun aimed at me several bikes approached me at a pretty good clip and head toward a ticket. I was tempted to tap the roof of my car, mostly out of muscle memory/instinct but chose not to. I figured the odds of the riders accurately interpreting my warning were pretty low.
If you saw the driver of a car tapping on his roof would you know what to do?
I'm just curious.

 

[GPzPop]

I have seen it while on my bike and I have done it in my car

always appreciated

flashing hi-beams of car is a similar warning

 

[R3DS!X]

flashing highbeams is the most i would recognise from a car.

 

[gixxerjeff]

I consider the flashing high beams as a clue, as it can mean a few different things. The helmet tap leaves no doubt for those us in the loop.....as small a loop as it may be.
...but yeah, high beams tend to indicate a hazard of some kind so I dial it back until I at least see what it is.

 

[gixxerjeff]

I have a dream-come-true commute, I know.

 

[norcalkid]

I work in West Marin and commute on some of my favorite riding roads. I am often in my car due to my late hours (I get off at 11:00pm)
Today I noticed a radar gun aimed at me as I drove past The Cheese Factory. A few moments later a group of sport bikes approached me at a pretty good clip and aimed right at a ticket. Out of sheer habit and muscle memory I had the urge to put my arm out the window and frantically tap the roof of my car.
My question is would you recognize the roof tap and would you respond to it?

No

I think the norm in a car is to flash on and off headlights(not sure the legality).

 

[cjymiller]

I've had this thought too. I would likely understand what was going on. The most similar situation I've had was actually when I was in my BRZ heading down McKean. A fine gentleman in a lifted pickup stuck his bald head out the window and did the universal moto symbol for LEO ahead. I knew what he meant but it confused me since we were both in cars. I think it was a knee jerk reaction on his part but hey, I totally understood.

Now I've done the reverse and maybe its helped someone out, but if I'm on 9 or 84 on the bike, and a car enthusiast goes by in the other direction, I'll give them head taps as notification. If they get it, then great.

 

[gixxerjeff]

I would likely understand what was going on.

I'm pretty sure I would too.
...but then again, I am the guy that wrote this thread. :laughing

 

[Marcoose]

Yes. Most motorcyclists are cagers. If a cager is tapping the roof, I know exactly what’s she’s saying to me. (She’s saying, “oh you hunk of love, why don’t we get on your workbench and check the oil level. And there’s a policeman around the next bend.”)

:laughing

 

[gixxerjeff]

Now I've done the reverse and maybe its helped someone out, but if I'm on 9 or 84 on the bike, and a car enthusiast goes by in the other direction, I'll give them head taps as notification.

Yes. Most motorcyclists are cagers. If a cager is tapping the roof, I know exactly what’s she’s saying to me.

This brings up another good point too.
I tend to doubt it's a two-way street. Since most people in cars don't ride I would imagine the success rate of a helmet tap to a car wouldn't be anywhere near as good as a roof tap to a rider.

 

[Eldritch]

I work in West Marin and commute on some of my favorite riding roads. Due to my late hours I'm often in my car. (I get off at 11:00pm)
Driving to work today I saw a large number of sport bikes on my way to work. Lots of people off due to COVID19, I presume.
Not long after I noticed a radar gun aimed at me several bikes approached ahead of me at a pretty good clip and head toward a ticket. I was tempted to tap the roof of my car, mostly out of muscle memory/instinct but chose not to. I figured the odds of the riders accurately interpreting my warning were pretty low.
If you saw the driver of a car tapping on his roof would you know what to do?
I'm just curious.

I have successfully been warned this way.

 

[littlebeast]

yes

 

[ScottRNelson]

You'll get better results with the "slow down" hand signal - hand out, palm down, a pushing down motion. Better still if you flash your lights a couple of times first.

 

[Whammy]

I dont see many people tapping roofs so id take it as a signal.

 

[two wheel tramp]

I ride west Marin regularly and I've had cars flash their lights to warn me of enforcement ahead. I had a cyclist give me the helmet tap a while back (thanks dude!). I'm not sure I'd notice a roof tap, though unless you put your hand out the window and did it.

In Oregon a dozen + years ago I had an oncoming driver lift his left hand and spin it like an old school pice light. It took me a minute but I got it. We were both in cars so it was odd but appreciated.

I always appreciate a heads up and I'll always give one.

 

[Johndicezx9]

Yes, as I have done it to riders while driving, and drivers have done it for me; I figure they’re riders, just driving.

The palm down hand signal, to me, can come from anyone, and it can be just because they may think you’re going too fast. :dunno

 

[ScottRNelson]

The palm down hand signal, to me, can come from anyone, and it can be just because they may think you’re going too fast. :dunno

Too fast for the radar cop ahead... :laughing


On a group ride years ago, coming back into Pleasanton from Palomares Road, a motorcycle cop running radar gave us the palm down hand signal and we were already at the speed limit. I guess the group looked fast or something.

 

[anytwowilldo]

I would recognize the signal and slow down. Wish you were there last year when I got caught in the SMR speed trap entering Olema.

 

[budman]

Yes. Most motorcyclists are cagers. If a cager is tapping the roof, I know exactly what’s she’s saying to me. (She’s saying, “oh you hunk of love, why don’t we get on your workbench and check the oil level. And there’s a policeman around the next bend.”)

:laughing

:laughing

Agree in the general concept.

I wave and point just like it was a fellow rider. I have done it myself.

 

[two wheel tramp]

I would recognize the signal and slow down. Wish you were there last year when I got caught in the SMR speed trap entering Olema.

:laughing

God that sucked.