The abbreviation lwg, which means "left up", is a greeting to motorcyclists from all over the world.

From the article you will learn what exactly the lwg gesture means, that is, a motorcycle salute. We will also tell you how to perform the trick up correctly. You will also learn why drivers of two-wheeled vehicles sign with their left hand.

Top left - what does the lwg gesture mean?

Lwg is a gesture used by passing motorcyclists to greet each other, performed with a raised left hand. The abbreviation itself means "left up". Within each group, a common language and a secret code are developed, understandable only to the initiates. The salutation of two-wheelers is known all over the world and performed in different ways, but both the abbreviation and the full name used by Polish motorcyclists will not be recognized outside the country.

Lwg - why do motorcyclists make left hand gestures?

Why is lvg done with the left hand? The answer is very simple. If you take your right hand off the gas pedal, you will immediately lose speed. The left hand on motorcycles controls the clutch, which is much less frequently used. The second reason is that in our country and in many other countries of the world there is right-hand traffic. Therefore, drivers on the road passing each other along the route see mainly the left side of the vehicle coming from the opposite side.

Lwg - privilege or coercion? When to gesture.

Lwg is a popular abbreviation in the motorcycle world, as well as in many internet forums and social media groups. Using places like this, you can often meet people who regret that someone on the route did not return the greeting. You shouldn't be offended by this. In many situations, it is not a good idea to show and respond to a greeting, because safety is the most important thing.

When riding in traffic, you often use the clutch, and in heavy traffic, if you take your hand off the handlebars, it will be much more difficult for you to control the bike. Also be aware that there are more and more motorcycles in major cities and if you want to greet everyone, you will have to drive with your left arm constantly stretched up. Another aspect is the fact that not every motorcycle user wants to identify with the whole subculture, and not every new rider knows lwg.

How to make a motorcycle salute?

Lwg, or left at the top, should speak for itself. However, there are many ways to raise your hand, and you can also find a gentle nod of the head in greeting. In our country, motorcyclists most often raise their hand and wave it to the oncoming driver, showing the Victoria sign with their middle and index fingers. In some countries, two-wheelers remove their left hand from the steering wheel but show the sign pointing downwards, and sometimes only remove their fingers.

Do I have to show the lwg sign when abroad?

The lwg gesture is known all over the world, but not in every corner of the globe it is reciprocated. This is for a simple reason, in some countries the look of motorcycles and scooters is so common that it would be necessary to drive a car with a constantly raised hand, which in turn negatively affects the comfort and safety of driving. For this reason, in Italy, Spain or France, your greeting may not be answered. It also happens in these areas that drivers show a foot gesture that momentarily leaves the vehicle without affecting driving itself.

Genesis lvg

How did the lwg sign become recognizable around the world? There are various theories about this greeting. To fully understand them, you need to go back to the very beginning of the creation of the first mechanical two-wheeled vehicles. At a time when only a handful of wealthy people could afford a car, they were trying to improve the bicycle. Over time, it turned out that motorcycles could be a cheaper analogue of a car and could also be used for transportation, but over time, cars became cheaper. Nowadays, everyone can afford a car, and there are definitely fewer motorcycle enthusiasts, so when they meet on the road, they greet colleagues of interest.

American cinema has played a huge role in the globalization of the lwg gesture. Many productions use the theme of a motorcycle gang, racing or scooter delivering food, and in almost all of them you can see a more or less noticeable lwg gesture. If it does not threaten your safety, it is always worth reciprocating such a kind gesture.