AlmostTrick

I see some cycling guides suggesting the use of the right arm straight out. While I am sure other road users would easily understand the meaning, it just doesn't feel proper to me like the traditional left arm bent up in a 90 degree L. What is your opinion?

EDIT: After posting I realized I should have included a fourth choice: Both, depending on conditions. Unfortunately I don't see a way to add it.

Deej

I use the right arm. Less confusing to those behind me.

mechBgon

I use the left-arm L because it leaves my right hand free to shift the rear derailleur and/or apply the rear brake, plus that's what I'm accustomed to after many years of arm signaling. If I'm on a group ride, I usually make an exception and point with my right arm, because that's what the other riders are accustomed to in my particular group.

wahoonc

I have about given up on using them, I seriously doubt 15% of the motorists on the road even know what you are doing, much less know the signals. And when I am turning I think it is more important to have both hands on the bars.

Aaron

mechBgon

You're not supposed to signal while turning, you're supposed to signal before turning That's the point of signalling; to give advance notice.

qmsdc15

I think in many cases, the left arm signal will be more noticable and recognizable to motorists.

'nother

Heheh that's exactly right: signal before the turn, get your hands on the bars through the actual turn.

Cracks me up, I see some folks signaling before, through and after a turn like their arm is a signal on a car or something. :blinka-blinka-blinka:

Philatio

people always seem to think I'm waving at them if I do the left arm L signal.

MarkS

It would be noticeable here too -- driver's would be thinking, "What's he doing? Checking his antiperspirant?"

Are there any good turn-signal systems for bikes? And if there are, will peace officers accept them in lieu of hand signals? There are certain situations such as going up steep hills, coming down hill fast, or on broken pavement where signaling is too dangerous. There should be an officially accepted communication system (like head tilts) that can be used instead of hand signals.

n4zou

I checked my local regulations (Code of Alabama) and it requires signaling all turns and stops with the left arm so there is no question about which arm to use. I put one of these on my road bicycle.
https://www.bikeworldusa.com/cgi-bin/...&affiliate_id=
It eliminates any questions about what you're doing.

-=(8)=-

Right arm.
A long time ago I realized drivers dont know the "L" anymore

HWS

I think most folks forget the "L" signal around 5th grade.

bmclaughlin807

I only use the right arm if there is actually a traffic lane with traffic in it to my right, otherwise I stick with signalling with my left arm.

San Rensho 

I rarely signal, it only lets drivers know where I am going and they have a better chance hitting me because they are all trying to kill me, right?

All sarcasm aside, I usually look over my left shoulder and then point with the index finger of my right hand. My first statement is not too far from the truth, however, because on more than one occassion, I have had motorists pass me or try to pass me on the RIGHT after signalling, because I usually move left in the lane before making the right turn, and they of course cannot wait 2 seconds to let a bicycle make a turn.

DataJunkie

The rare times that I actually signal: Left arm in a L modified with my hand and finger pointing to the right.

UmneyDurak

Right arm extended, bent at the elbow pointing up with middle finger extended.

Platy

I'm thinking that's how the L style right turn signal must have originated. If you're driving a car it's not practical to stick an arm out the passenger side window to point right. If you try to point right with your left arm out the window you wind up with something like the L style signal.

new_dharma

Minnesota Statute 169.222 Subd. 8.
"Turning, lane change. An arm signal to turn right or left shall be given continuously during the last 100 fee traveled by the bicycle before turning, unless the arm is needed to control the bicycle, and shall be given while the bicycle is stopped waiting to turn."

Minnesota gives me the choice...i like to choose things...

BearsPaw

I use the bent left arm to signal a right turn. The other day, I was riding home from work and I had my hand on the bars, with my middle finger over the brake and the rest of my fingers wrapped around the bar. (Not sure why, it just seemed comfortable at the time.) I signaled a right turn, and a few seconds later the guy in the car behind me yelled something unintelligible at me. Then I realized I had made the signal with just my middle finger sticking up. Oops!

trackhub

Right arm, pointing straight to the right.. This is permitted by MA law. This is the way I've always done it, and people know immediately what it means.

I think that the left arm, up at an angle, (what some call "the boy scout salute method") is something people learn in driver's ed, then forget within a day or two after passing their road test.

Check your own state's laws, and see what is legal in your state.

mlh122

I used to use the left arm up at an angle signal, i always got funny looks, then a passenger in a car (valley girl paris hilton type) asked what the He11 that meant, she was at least 19, i was briefly saddened by her ignorance, so now i just point with my right hand.

tomg

i signal w/left arm 90 deg, but follow through with pointing (with same left arm) in the direction i'm heading (right). sometimes 2 times, followed by switch to right arm pointing in right turn direction.
i try to make it as simple as possible for others to UNDERSTAND the direction i am headed. this option was not presented in poll...
Left turn and stop signals usually are no issue either, but sometimes it is evidenced that fellow road users (People who drive cages) are less aware of these signals and pose an increased threat to bicyclist safety.

Wogster

The L signal originated with the automobile, before they invented electric vehicle lighting. It is still taught, because you need to legally indicate your turns, even if the turn signal stops working (dead bulb, blown fuse, equipment failure, etc.) Since bicycles are not equipped with electric turn signals, it works just as well for us too.

One other thing with signalling, how is it different for an automobile to use red flashing lights (4 ways), and a bicycle to use a flashing red rear light?

The Human Car

Going under the speed limit you are allowed/must/should use flashers. (Depends on state and type of vehicle.)

As far as the poll, old habits die hard, the right hand thingy just doesn’t feel right. Besides it gives me a chance to wave back to all the motorists who don’t know what I am doing. (Cyclists, they are such a friendly bunch, don’t you know.)

gbcb

I would say both, depending on the situation. In Toronto, I do the left arm L sign, since people there seem to be fairly up to date on bike signalling. In China, where no one signals, I only use the right arm extended when I feel the need to signal.