Rootman

So what method do you use to signal your turn?

American method, left hand only - out for left, up for right
Another standard method - please elaborate
Simply POINT to where I'm going using the hand in the direction I am turning
Indicator lights - I am high tech
Another method - please explain in a post
I do not signal a turn

Bekologist

headwags and steely eyed glares is one published signaling method. not very effective, but some still try to get others on board with head nods and eye signals (?) instead of hand signals out of fear of losing control of ones' bike.

I don't endorse that method, just pointing out it's presence in bike ed of the past.

(these are the same cyclists that, once traffic gets to be about 35mph, have read in the same book they should throw any and all semblance of signaling to the wind, instead simply SWERVING thru gaps in traffic from lane line to lane line. In my estimation, boosting collisions for bicyclists out there that have read, and tried but eventually failed with this method.)

Rootman

I use the standard American left hand method which "most" people seem to understand here in the USA.

Back when I rode a motorcycle I used hand signals once in a while, just to attempt to make myself clearer. I was turning into my neighborhood on a left and had my hand sticking out straight left, BOTH oncoming lanes (4 lane street) came to a halt, I was baffled for a moment then I realized they thought I was telling them to STOP. Perhaps I looked like a cop with a full helmet, jacket and a black bike. I wen ton ahead and saw the column of cars proceed after I turned in the rear view.

Commodus

Because you need to derail another thread into nonsensical bickering?

OP, I point. The 'American' method makes no sense to me for a bicycle user.

Bekologist

it's a published, AWFUL method for riding and signalling. definitely on topic and relevant. there's no real 'bickering' called for. and trust me, a lot of other posters contribute a lot of nonsensical stuff, my material is usually quite factual.

personally, I point or use traditional signals. I save the eye signals for the ladies.

gmt13

The left arm bent up has always seen a bit silly to me. It's necessary if you are signaling by hand in a car, I guess, but not all that clear to most drivers these days. I just hold out whichever arm is on the side that I am turning. This seems pretty clear to all. One problem is that a lot of times I don't have much time to signal before braking so I try to through out a signal but sometimes I forgo it if not critical.

-G

hagen2456

The European way (I believe): Hand held out on the side at which I wish to turn. Hand (mostly the left one, as it's easiest to notice for drivers) held upwards when stopping.

Juha

Where I live, you're supposed to point where you turn. No signal for stopping. And I learned about the "American" standard by reading about it on the Forums - I'd never heard or seen it before, and definitely wouldn't try to use it here.

--J

John Forester

Quote Originally Posted by Bekologist View Post
headwags and steely eyed glares is one published signaling method. not very effective, but some still try to get others on board with head nods and eye signals (?) instead of hand signals out of fear of losing control of ones' bike.

I don't endorse that method, just pointing out it's presence in bike ed of the past.

(these are the same cyclists that, once traffic gets to be about 35mph, have read in the same book they should throw any and all semblance of signaling to the wind, instead simply SWERVING thru gaps in traffic from lane line to lane line. In my estimation, boosting collisions for bicyclists out there that have read, and tried but eventually failed with this method.)

Indeed. Considering the time that Bek must spend seeking opportunities for vilifying VC by inserting his typical arguments, so slanted that they have become false, he must consider vehicular cycling to be the greatest enemy of his motorist-friendly popular cycling ideology.

Chris516

When I am about to make a left-turn, I just wait until there is a wide enough opening, in the oncoming traffic pursuant to the speed, then I will make the turn. Because, If the light was previously red, I won't be able to make the turn fast enough from a standing start. If the light was already green, and the opening in the oncoming traffic is not as large, I will gauge, whether or not, to change gears and speed(not break the speed limit) through the turn.

Myosmith

The "American" left hand method is outdated and was never intended for use by cyclists anyway. It was developed (if you can call it that) in the early days of the automobile, before the advent of electric turn signals. Being us Americans drive on the right and have the driver's side on the left, it was standard practice for drivers of vehicles with enclosed cabs to signal a right turn by opening the driver's side window and extend their left arm out and up to point over the roof to the right. The left signal was natural, a simple point to the left, and slow or stop was to wave the hand down and to the rear just as if you wanted to silently signal someone walking behind you to slow down or back off.

While the left hand up for a right turn has been widely published, few drivers seem to recognize it. I've tried it and more often than not someone mistakes it for a wave and waves back. Simply pointing to where you are going is amost universally understood even by those with no education in cycling. The downward wave with the left hand for slowing or stopping seems to also be instinctive for most people. The hand behind the back for stop is well known to cyclists but meaningless to non-cycling drivers.

I think it is important to remember that the signals we use when riding in groups of experienced cyclists don't always translate into mixed traffic.

Daves_Not_Here

Guys, patience please! It is standard BF practice to allow at least 10 constructive replies be made to a new thread before highjacking it for personal attacks. OP, forgive them -- they just cannot help themselves.

I point where I'm going and make confirming eye contact with motorists if I need them to yield.

genec

The poll needs multiple choices... I use either the American Left Hand Method or I just point, depending on the traffic situation.

mprelaw

The only time I use the "left arm up" signal is when the middle finger of that hand is also extended straight up, at someone either honking or heckling.

lostarchitect 

I used to use the American "left hand only" method, but I find that other road users seem to understand the "just point in the direction" method better, so I switched. I stick my arm straight out and point.

delcrossv

This. The point being to make your intentions known, not to stick to any one method.

I-Like-To-Bike

Never heard of it, or ever seen it used by a cyclist, but then I don't ride with "educated" cyclists.

Commodus

It's common round these parts, amongst the roadies. Cuz if you're in a paceline, that's where your eyes are.

gcottay

I agree but can't seem to break the silly habit. It does seem to work.

howsteepisit

Although I voted for the american standard, I never signal stopping, and only bother to signal a turn if there are cars near enough to matter. Right hand turn I rarely signal, left hand nearly always ( in the presence of an automobile).

antimonysarah

Oh, is that what that one is? I've never ridden a paceline, but I've done a few rides that included some hardcore roadies, and they were constantly making all these unfamiliar signals.

I use American Left Hand, including down-angled for braking when it seems necessary to signal it, because it was what I was taught and it's so ingrained it would be difficult to change. Especially since I'm not used to taking my right hand off the bars in traffic. I supplement with pointing (with the left hand) my direction in rotaries/traffic circles/roundabouts because that seems to make the most sense to everyone.

ricebowl

Is there a "euro" left arm standard? How would they signal a left turn in a car before turn signals?

apollored

I look behind me to check for traffic and then if I'm turning left, I stick my left hand out straight at shoulder level and the same out to the right if turning right.


Stopping is hand up police style lol.

My signal is usually accompanied by a thumbs up by way of thanks if a driver has been especially accommodating

Looigi

I extend my left or right arm out, flat and palm forward. A flat palm is usually what's shown in hand signal illustrations. Pointing is most generally a means of directing attention, not of indicating intention.

There's a guy who often rides in a local group ride who points to indicated potential hazards, like a car possibly pulling out, a runner up, etc, or to indicate a turn. Which is it, a hazard or upcoming turn?

mprelaw

Around here, the right arm/hand behind the back is used to signal other riders to move left to avoid a walker, runner, or roadside hazard. We signal stopping/slowing by extending an arm downwards, reinforced by communicating "stopping" or "slowing" verbally.