Hand signals

[p nut]

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?

[jdp211]

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.

[Mark McM]

Originally Posted by jdp211

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.

I had a discussion (disagreement?) with my cycling club president about this. I argued that holding the right arm out for a right turn was best, but he insisted holding the left hand straight up was the best. His argument was that: 1) That's what taught in drivers manuals, so motorists would be more familiar with it; and 2) Cyclists ride on the right side of the road, so the left arm/hand would be more visible. I argued that: 1) Using the right hand to signal a right turn was more intuitive, since you are pointing directly at were you are going; and 2) many cyclists ride in a leaned over posture (particularly if on the hoods or drops), which makes it difficult if not impossible to hold the forearm straight up, so when signaling a right turn the arm ends up being pointed more forward then up.

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.

[tomato coupe]

Originally Posted by jdp211

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.

That's it in a nutshell. Left arm out signals left turn, right arm out signals right turn.

[unterhausen]

Originally Posted by jdp211

The right turn signal by raising your left hand was a holdover from the days before cars had turn signals.

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.

[ColonelJLloyd]

Originally Posted by jdp211

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.

Yes and no. You're supposed to know and use these in the rare instance when your turn signals aren't operable or obstructed or you're driving an old tractor a mile down the road moving it from one field to another. When I took the test for my license in the mid 1990s this was still the directive.

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.

[jdp211]

Originally Posted by ColonelJLloyd

Yes and no. You're supposed to know and use these in the rare instance when your turn signals aren't operable or obstructed or you're driving an old tractor a mile down the road moving it from one field to another. When I took the test for my license in the mid 1990s this was still the directive.

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.

There's no doubt that this is still what is taught. Its what I was taught in the mid 2000s when I got my license. Most drivers don't recall what was taught to them in their driver's ed class, so I go with what will be most clear to people by pointing in the direction I'm headed. There's no ambiguity that way, despite not being to the letter of the law. I'd rather be clear in my intention than aligned perfectly to the rule.

[GregL]

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

[Mark McM]

Originally Posted by GregL

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

Massachusetts state laws allows either hand to signal a turn or a stop. But the way it is written implies that you could also signal a LEFT turn by holding the RIGHT arm up, but I can't say I've ever seen anyone do that. From Massachusetts General laws, Chapter 85, Section 11b:

Section 11B. Every person operating a bicycle upon a way, as defined in section one of chapter ninety, shall have the right to use all public ways in the commonwealth except limited access or express state highways where signs specifically prohibiting bicycles have been posted, and shall be subject to the traffic laws and regulations of the commonwealth and the special regulations contained in this section, except that: (1) the bicycle operator may keep to the right when passing a motor vehicle which is moving in the travel lane of the way, (2) the bicycle operator shall signal by either hand his intention to stop or turn; provided, however, that signals need not be made continuously and shall not be made when the use of both hands is necessary for the safe operation of the bicycle, and (3) bicycles may be ridden on sidewalks outside business districts when necessary in the interest of safety, unless otherwise directed by local ordinance. A person operating a bicycle on the sidewalk shall yield the right of way to pedestrians and give an audible signal before overtaking and passing any pedestrian.

[AJosiahK]

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.

[bshell]

Always/only left arm up at 90*

[charliedid]

I rarely find the need but I just point where I am going.

[Sarhog]

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.

[ColonelJLloyd]

Originally Posted by Sarhog

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'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.

[bikinchris]

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.