What is Hitchhiking?
[[Image:Hitchhiker-Luxemburg-1977.jpg|thumb|Hitchhiker in Luxembourg (1977)]] '''Hitchhiking''' is a way to end travel from place to place in someone else's vehicle.. Usually, a hitchhiker (a person who hitchhikes) will stand at the side of a road and hold his or her [[thumb]] in the air waiting for a passing driver to stop and pick them up. This is a sign that he or she wants to go somewhere else. It was a very common way of traveling in [[Europe]] in the 1970s until increased vehicle ownership/affordability.. Fears of drivers and hitchhikers alike as depicted in popular culture and media and likely have also contributed to its decline. The legal status of hitchhiking varies by country. == Signaling Methods == In western European countries, raise their arm, extend their thumb and face traffic on the side of the road. This may be paired with a cardboard sign stating their intended direction or destination. == Legal status == The legal status of hitchhiking varies by country and state. Hitchhiking on highways or motorways is illegal in many countries, and some states explicitly ban it. == Community == In recent years, hitchhikers have made efforts to strengthen the community through websites and events such as Hitchwiki, Tramprennen and other events. == Other websites == [[Image:Autostop invalid attempt.jpg|thumb|180px|right|Continental hitchhiking in Russia]] * [http://www.hitchwiki.org/ The Hitchhiker's Guide to Hitchhiking] - a wiki project to collect information about hitchhiking * [http://www.hitch-hiking.org Anhalterfreunde] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070110082110/http://www.hitch-hiking.org/ |date=2007-01-10 }} - Information all about hitchhiking (English and German language) * [http://www.liftershalte.info/ Liftershalte.info] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070217130649/http://www.liftershalte.info/ |date=2007-02-17 }} - a worldmap with hitching places. * [http://www.hitchbase.com hitchbase.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905073325/http:/