If I am filtering in traffic on say a motorway or main road then I ALWAYS make the effort to say thanks. And I'll tell you why. Normally the car in front or behind of the one who moves see's the manoevure and see's my acknowledgement. Then the next time I am in traffic (or any other biker) the other two people who witnessed this may be more inclined to move over. Yes I know this is a "blue sky" theory but its enough to make me think good of people.
I drive a car all day for work, and always make the effort to try and pull over to let them past. And it fucks me right off when I made a real effort to save them unneccesary movement to go past and they don't say thanks!
If you riding faster than roads should allow and make/force a car to move out ya way thats very different. However we should be on the right hand side of the car and as such have a clutch hand to say thanks (unless you changing down), because if your excellerating you can say thanks no bother. Or like some people have said, kick the foot out....or even just nod ya head to the car...Struggle to see how this is such a chore to do!
Whilst I'm having a whinge, I just thought I would share another real frustration. Acknowlegding other bikers. One of the reasons I got into biking was the whole commaradery of bikers. Nodding, waving, chatting to random people who you have nothing in common with other than your two wheels... Since being up in the north west of the country I cannot believe how many riders who don't so much as flash a light, bow a head or lift their hand to say hey. You ignorant f**king wankers. You all want to stick together when someones moans about bikers, or you want Mr Brunstrom dismissed but when it comes to saying hey to a fellow biker....god no! I'm disgusted to be honest.
However "I" will continue to nod, wave, flash every biker I see until they all follow suit....so there!
Sorry....Friday whinge over!