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#1
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Hand signals
Back when I was in Boy Scouts, earning the cycling merit badge, I learned the various hand signals.
Left hand straight out for left turn Left hand raised to square, right turn Left hand down, stop(ping) All fairly intuitive except for that right turn. I think drivers and pedestrians get confused. General guidelines seem contradicting as well. Look below. Lately, I’ve just resorted to using right hand straight out for right turns. Seems to be less confusing to others. Anyone find the same? ![]() ![]() |
#2
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The right turn signal by raising your left hand was a holdover from the days before cars had turn signals. Since the driver sits on the left side, they needed a way to signal out the driver's side window. Since turn signals have been a thing for close to a century, that particular signal is wildly out dated. Signaling a right turn with your right hand is way less confusing.
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#3
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The club president, like many cyclists, tends to ride with his torso leaning forward. When he signals a right turn with his left hand, his arm points more forward than upward, so he looks more like he is waving at someone in front of him than that he is signaling for a right turn. Even when I know the route is turning right, I often find myself looking straight ahead to see who he is waving at. |
#4
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#5
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I saw someone in an old car making the right turn signal and only barely understood what it was until after he had turned. Nobody understands it when a cyclist does it either, although a majority of motorists seem hard pressed to understand that cyclists make left turns.
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#6
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![]() I still use those signals and have taught my kids to do the same. All of my bikes are setup moto style and my right hand remains on the bar to operate the front brake while I signal. Last edited by ColonelJLloyd; 03-20-2024 at 11:42 AM. |
#7
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#8
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When New York state updated their vehicle traffic laws to allow use of the right hand to signal right turns, I adopted this convention. Seens to be easier for other road users to understand.
Greg |
#9
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#10
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doesnt really make sense, not many folks really know to pay attention to those signals (esp drivers)
Id say, I use most of the aforementioned hand signals when I am riding with other folks, and the more advanced riders get the more specific but subtle gestures. And with cars, I make it as obvious as possible that they see where I want to go, how and when etc. But yeah, would be good if more folks in general could at least learn these. Pretty sure I was taught them in drivers ed, and the more cycling specific ones from riding with more experienced folks.
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Ride always, Ride Often |
#11
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Always/only left arm up at 90*
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#12
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I rarely find the need but I just point where I am going.
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#13
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I’d be interested to see, out of the “left hand up at 90°” crowd, what’s your preferences on say, rim/disc brakes, and tire width over/under 32mm.
I feel like the left hand up crowd is just stubborn. ![]() |
#14
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I'm 43 and have bikes from 1950 up to 2023. Rim brake and disc brake. Narrowest tires I ride are 28s that measure 30, though.
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#15
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Different states have different laws on what is a legal hand signal. If you show an illegal hand signal, and then get hit, you might be considered at fault. Many states have made a straight right arm signal legal for signaling a right turn. Know your laws and if you go to a different state, ask about or research what they have for the law. Waving or wiggling your hand or fingers is probably NOT a legal hand signal anywhere.
That right hand straight up for stop in the graphic is really odd. I have already had ignorant drivers think a straight arm signal is nothing but a hello. That would be absolutely misunderstood by most people.
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Forgive me for posting dumb stuff. Chris Little Rock, AR Last edited by bikinchris; 03-20-2024 at 05:30 PM. |
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