Advocacy & Safety - the importance of the "slow" hand-signal

...
I have come to rely on making a "slow" hand-signal as my
most important safety device for drivers approaching from behind. The
unsymmetrical movement seems to catch the attention of most inattentive
ones; and the added width helps inform them that a safe passing distance is
not by my shoulder.

I use the standard signal taught in Drivers Ed (upper arm 90' straight out,
lower arm 90' straight down) because it's what drivers are taught to
recognize, and because it makes me a little bit wider than an arm-down 45'
style.

How many of you also use this? What is your experience with it? If you
don't use it, please try it and let us all know if it makes a difference.



Thank you for your thought and consideration. And thank you for bicycling!
DancesWithCars at CycleMedia.org

"Half of all car/bike crashes are the cyclists' fault; half are motorists'. So
cycling as a responsible, law-abiding adult is 50% safer. But by learning to
compensate for common motorist errors as well, we've become 80% safer.

Just as drivers of big-rigs, buses and motorcycles take extra classes to learn
predictable mistakes, collisions, and their prevention, we've taken in-depth
adult cycling classes that taught us common mistakes and how to compensate for
them.

This Advanced Traffic-Bicycling (sm) serves us everywhere we go, on every road,
bikelane or not. It works so well that our cycling becomes a dance of mutual
cooperation with drivers."

from Dancing-With-Cars (sm): An Introduction to Advanced Traffic-Bicycling (sm)


http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/bicyclingadvocacy/message/9919?l=1

I can remark that issuing the "slow" signal while simultaneously freezing your pedal stroke may help cue the observer better. I was coming over a sharp rise and found traffic unexpectedly stalled, and tried to issue the frozen-pedal-stroke-and-STOP-signal thing to the motorists coming up the rise behind me, but it just goes to show, nothing works 100% of the time. They caught on real fast when they topped the rise, however :eek:

As I mentioned recently over in Commuting, if you are slowing using hand brakes while you have just one hand on the bars, sometimes it helps if you lay your knee against the top tube to triangulate your contact with your bike. I do this if I'm signalling a RH lane change while going 30mph downhill into downtown across bumps, and some other situations where I need a little extra stabilization. For my frame size & leg length, stopping the pedals at 6 o'clock & 12 o'clock puts my 12 o'clock knee right at top-tube height.

Depends on the bike I ride... one has a mirror, the other does not. I do use the hand signal and find it generally works. It may not work for the first motorist, but generally I get a response. I don't do the 90 degree bend at the elbow, but I do stick my arm out and downward with the hand well outstretched in much the same manner as one might see a traffic cop indicating a stop.

I also wear red gloves (have done this for years) to make my hand more visible and to grab attention.

On the plus side I have gotten fast reactions from some motorists, so that encouraged me to use the signal when and where needed.

On the negative side, if the motorists were going fast or did not themselves perceive a need to stop or slow, the hand signal would go unheeded, but this was rare.

The best reactions have been with motorists trying to right hook me, or moving into a position that might lead to a right hook... the motorist must be looking at me to see how they can pass, and they were close, so my signal was pretty obvious to them at that point.

Oh, and for the poll... well, if I'm simply stopping and neither changing lanes nor turning, I often don't signal slow/stop because I'm using both hands to brake. And in my city environment, it is generally well-DUH obvious that I'm going to be stopping, rather than plow a line of cars at a stoplight, or similar other stuff. Oh, and I use a mirror.

If I'm making a turn signal, then (1) I think that it's sort of implicit that I'm slowing down, so I usually just keep signalling the turn; and (2) with just my rear brake available, my slowing-down is rather gradual. I can freeze my pedal stroke as a body-language indication that I'm slowing down, too.

If I'm signalling a lane change, then most of the time I'm accelerating or holding a steady speed. If I'm changing lanes and also decelerating, I may try to mix in a SLOW/STOP arm signal along with the left or right signal. But again, I think an observer can figure out that if I'm merging into a lane that contains a line of stopped or slower people in cars, that I'm going to be slowing down. The directional signal takes top priority over the slowing signal if I have to choose, especially since it takes time to flip from a L right-turn signal to an inverted L slow/stop signal. I'd rather have them see one recognizable signal than have them think I'm trying to make some sort of gangsta gestures :D

I've just started doing something similar. I stretch out my left arm, downward to signal I'm slowing and/or stopping, as well as sitting up straight. When I'm at my turn, I move my arm up and signal the turn.

I really think the sitting upright, even if temporary, catches their attention. Even the old guy in the pickup behind me today (I know him from around town and he is very impatient and cantankerous) slowed and stayed behind me until I made my turn. I travel on a light traffic roadway and I've only used this a few times, but so far, it really seems to work. Last week, a cement truck driver seemed undecided about what to do, stay behind me or go around, until I sat upright and signaled that I was slowing. I knew he understood when I heard him downshift and slow back down.

I find signalling problematic because I usually have to hold on to my handle bars during the trickier moments. Nevertheless, the only signals that seem to work well for me are the ones I give to people while I'm looking them in the eye.

i'm pointing and waving my hands like Mancini. i don't use some static, arm position #1,2 or 3, out of an armchair bicycling manual, nor do i consistantly hand waggle OR use a mirror.

I also signal with fanny raises, steely eyed glances, and mental telepathy. And exorcise my notions. or is it 'exercise?'

I think some of the rednecks I encounter would use any type of out-of-the ordinary
hand signal as an excuse to long honk or something aggressive and childish, especially
where I used to live. I live by my mirrior but have found that turning my head a little
to make it appear you are looking right at them (even if you are still focusing ahead)
makes it less likely for an act of agression. People like anonimity when they do bad stuff
to other people. Making it appear they are going to have to do thier bad stuff while
someone is looking at them makes it less likely they will follow through.

I think regardless of signalling not all drivers will be happy. I was nearly hit by someone passing me after I signalled left from just right of the double yellow line and started turning. He turned onto the road after I had changed position from right to left in the lane. THankfully he took the turn with me. Started to yell at me an this old lady who saw the whole thing chewed him up one side and down the other for speeding and not paying attention. I just left with her yelling at him.

I use the 45° slow signal if I hear that a car is about to pass me approaching a 4way stop or a roundabout. Generally it works pretty well. I haven't been hooked or squeezed in a while.

I find signalling problematic because I usually have to hold on to my handle bars during the trickier moments. Nevertheless, the only signals that seem to work well for me are the ones I give to people while I'm looking them in the eye.

sbhikes,

Do you think people don't notice you because of your low position? Your avatar makes your ride look very low-profile.

I could be wrong, and although I do use it occasionally, I wonder how effective it is. When approaching a stop, drivers expect you to decelerate, at least gradually. In addition, they know your are slower then they are when cruising, so they expect to have to brake, or pass.

The time I think the "slow" signal is more important is when motorists are not expecting you to slow down, or at least, the less experienced ones don't. This is when a motorist is following you down a hill when you are closer to top speed, then you hit another hill going up and your speed drops rapidly. But I never use it there, I'm keeping my hands more in control.

Still, I like the idea of communicating with motorists and making my intentions clear.

Started to yell at me an this old lady who saw the whole thing chewed him up one side and down the other for speeding and not paying attention. I just left with her yelling at him.
:D

Depends on the bike I ride... one has a mirror, the other does not. I do use the hand signal and find it generally works. It may not work for the first motorist, but generally I get a response.
Hmm. I don't think I ever use the "slow" hand signal except when someone is right behind me. In that case, if the first motorist does not respond, I'm dead.

What's the purpose of issuing the slow hand signal when you're off to the side anyway?

I started using the Slow sign when riding with a bunch of new riders who might not realize I stop at more stop signs than most.

Hmm. I don't think I ever use the "slow" hand signal except when someone is right behind me. In that case, if the first motorist does not respond, I'm dead.

What's the purpose of issuing the slow hand signal when you're off to the side anyway?



interesting.......and unrealistic.

the 'slow signal' can come into play in full command of a traffic lane, wide outside lane, unstriped gravel roadway or velo transit lane.

Drivers behind you can still ignore any redumacating or notion dispelling that is trying to be done, and the end result is not instant death if a driver ignores your slow/stop signals.

Your wildly unrealistic "they get it or i'm dead" comment makes me wonder how much you actually ride your bike, helmet head.

Bek,

I'm not following. If someone is behind you, they are either traveling slower than you, faster than you, or the same speed.

If they're not traveling faster than you, why issue the slow signal?

if they're traveling faster than you, they're behind you, you issue the slow signal, and they don't respond (to your slow signal), how do they not hit you?

I wear a mirror on my glasses and use the 45 degree angle "slow" signal when riding narrow 2 lane roads when there is oncoming traffic and a car approaching from behind. Some people just can't be bothered to slow down for a couple of seconds and will continue the pass in the converging traffic situation but many will take the hint and allow the oncoming traffic to clear before making the pass.

I'll use a "keep back" signal on rural roads. I don't signal "slowing" much, if at all. In the city, I'll briefly signal left or right when I make lane changes or turns. I'll also direct traffic a bit to create a hole for myself if I need to merge into a busy traffic stream to get to the left turn center lane.

Bek,

I'm not following.

uh, yeah, that much is abundantly clear. need help getting the armchair jumpstarted this morning?

lets see, you can signal when you are slowing for an upcoming traffic hazard. lots of drivers cross cyclists unsafely on the double yellow when they are claiming more of a lane to avoid an upcoming traffic hazard. I'm in the middle of a travel lane and drivers will barrel past across the double yellow into the face of oncoming traffic. But this never happens to mr head.

and telling me, head, that you are ALWAYS in the middle of the travel lane on a roadway and hence avoid ALL upcoming hazards is an unrealiztic responce, anyone who has ever had a driver pull out in front of them knows the presence of suddenly appearing traffic hazards.

I guess the nuance of blacktop and the macadam tarmac is lost in the pillowy comforts of the armchair cycling world.

uh, yeah, that much is abundantly clear. need help getting the armchair jumpstarted this morning?

Perhaps. Can someone else translate this for me?



lets see, you can signal when you are slowing for an upcoming traffic hazard.
Sure. And I do so presumably because someone is behind me gong my speed or faster. if someone is behind me going my speed, and I slow down, and they don't, how do they not hit me?



lots of drivers cross cyclists unsafely on the double yellow when they are claiming more of a lane to avoid an upcoming traffic hazard.
What does "cross cyclists unsafely on the double yellow" mean? Do you mean "PASS cyclists unsafely by crossing the double yellow"? If that's what you mean, yes, I've experienced that, but I don't understand the relevance of having this experience to our slow signal discussion about a non-response from someone behind you who is moving faster resulting in you being hit.



I'm in the middle of a travel lane and drivers will barrel past across the double yellow into the face of oncoming traffic. But this never happens to mr head.
What on Earth did I say that makes you think this never happens to me?



and telling me, head, that you are ALWAYS in the middle of the travel lane on a roadway and hence avoid ALL upcoming hazards is an unrealiztic responce,
I have no idea what you're responding to here, or what you're trying to say.



anyone who has ever had a driver pull out in front of them knows the presence of suddenly appearing traffic hazards.
What does this have to do with using the slow signal?



I guess the nuance of blacktop and the macadam tarmac is lost in the pillowy comforts of the armchair cycling world.
Huh?

huh? is right? the nuance of the blacktop not seen from the black and white absolutism of your armchair perch, head?


and the phrase 'macadam tarmac' just rolls off the tounge so smoothly, doesn't it?

if they're traveling faster than you, they're behind you, you issue the slow signal, and they don't respond (to your slow signal), how do they not hit you?
Maybe these inattentive drivers drift to the right and hit somebody else on the sidewalk?

I usually dont tend to slow down unless I'm turning, in which case I make a turning signal until I turn.

I don't think I ever use the slow signal to indicate I'm slowing down. I use it more like when I tap the brake pedal in my car to cause the brake lights to flash to get a tailgater to back off.

Motorists are often uncertain what to do when they encounter a cyclist up ahead in their lane. Given the unpredictable behavior of many cyclists, they get nervous. A slow signal is a very useful way to quickly and efficiently communicate all of the following:


I know you're behind me.
I know what I'm doing.
I'm not unpredictable.
At least for the moment, I'm not getting out of your way.
When it's safe and reasonable to pass me, I'll let you know.
You don't need to be nervous.
Back off (if you're too close).


I would be oblivious to the usefulness of the ability of the slow signal to be able to accomplish all that if I did not use a mirror.

For those of you who selected, I use a mirror but I rarely if ever use the "slow" hand signal. (4, or about 15%, so far), I have a few questions:


Have you ever tried using the slow signal to communicate "back off" or "I know you're there", etc., to motorists behind you? See post #25 and the OP for more ideas.
Would you consider giving it a shot a few times per ride for a week or so, and report your experience back to us here?

I guess I do it wrong. I don't use the signal (usually) to indicate that I'm slowing down. I use it to communicate that I would appreciate i if traffic behind me would slow down, usually so I can merge left to make a turn or avoid an obstacle. Does anybody else do this?

EDIT: Sorry I didn't see this when I posted:


I don't think I ever use the slow signal to indicate I'm slowing down. I use it more like when I tap the brake pedal in my car to cause the brake lights to flash to get a tailgater to back off.

i would think issuing the slow signal to only indicate 'i'm not unpredictable' is pretty much that, exactly. Unpredictability.

and it's like tapping the brakes? ...... wondering how all this weaves togther in the machinations of your macadam imaginings, helmet head.

the one that started the thread... he's a little confused.

Anybody remember that song "I need a lover with a slow hand"? I think it was Maria Muldaur?

i would think issuing the slow signal to only indicate 'i'm not unpredictable' is pretty much that, exactly. Unpredictability.
You might consider not just thinking about it, Mr. Beck, and actually trying it, and see whether it works for you the way it works for everyone else who actually uses it (see Roody, OP, and others who do it, not just me) before you criticize it. I know that's not your normal approach, but you might try it for once...

bwaughhahahaha!!!!

how does the signal that doesn't indicate anything work again?


is this 'signalling' to show the cagers you are wise to their car driving tricks?

keep the 'unpredictability factor' nice and high?

pull a fakey signal, keep 'em guessing???

it works nearly every time. giving direct instructions with not option to ignore gets response.
but be careful ,it is addictive and can be abused
al

hey, I'm waving my hands, pointing directionals, and wiggling my fingers for lane clearance like i was a compulsive tickler at a pajama party, and i think signalling when you AREN'T going to require or do something is a bit unpredictable.

signalling when you don't mean to slow, and not signalling when you actually do, is the contradictory report that seems to be coming from the RV driving, armchair bicycling original poster.

Personally (and this is just me being my cRaZy self), if I were looking to exhibit predictably (which I generally am), one thing I would not do (and generally don't) is ride down the center of the lane and then duck out of the way when cars come within X number of seconds from me. ;) There's a name for that, now what was it again...

Like I said... cRaZy me. :D

If I were looking to exhibit predictably (which I generally am), one thing I would not do (and generally don't) is ride down the center of the lane and then duck out of the way when cars come within X number of seconds from me. ;) There's a name for that, now what was it again...

Wacky.

rarely if ever for me.

only time i use it is when some patiant driver is stuck behind me. Basically ill move over use the signal then motion them past. In these cases i know he or she will be passing close so it dont bother me long as they go slow.

So, the preconceived notion that I was testing in this poll was to confirm my belief that there is a correlation between mirror use and slow signal use. Apparently, there is.

Of those that use a mirror (17), 58% (10) say they "often" use a slow signal.
Of those that don't use mirror (25), only 28% (7) say they "often" use a slow signal.

Is the 'slow hand signal' for motorists or other cyclists?

I really don't think any motorist is going to follow my cue to slow down, they're going to do what they want and I'm getting out of the way as fast as I can. For other cyclists that I'm riding with, I'm always pointing at upcomming obstacles in the road as we approach them, or pointing with a finger which way we have to turn. I never use the right angle elbow bend signals unless my junker car is acting up again.

Use a mirror? .... nope.

jw

I really don't think any motorist is going to follow my cue to slow down,
Why would they follow my cue every single time without exception I use the slow hand signal, but wouldn't for you?

Besides, since you don't use a mirror, you don't have a very effective way to find out if they're following your cue or not.

Until I got a mirror and started using the slow hand signal, I would never have believed how effective it was either.

sbhikes,

Do you think people don't notice you because of your low position? Your avatar makes your ride look very low-profile.
I ride three types of bikes:
Mountain bike
Trike
Regular recumbent

I'm noticed more on the trike and given more clearance. I do have to give signals to people about equally on each. (have to means to tell them not to do something vs. just regular ordinary signaling)

Is the 'slow hand signal' for motorists or other cyclists?

I really don't think any motorist is going to follow my cue to slow down, they're going to do what they want and I'm getting out of the way as fast as I can. It could be useful if you want to pass back an "on guard, people, something's goin' down ahead" type of signal. Example: I was heading south on Regal in a line of cars at probably 25mph and accelerating (obligatory "400 watts!" comment here :)), and was able to see up the right side of the line of cars ahead of me. The lead car hit its brakes. I gave a slow/stop signal and froze my pedal stroke to give the person behind me an early heads-up that hey, the line's slowing down, cover your brakes, folks, while scrubbing some speed with my rear brake. I do the same thing in my car, I'll drag my brake just to "pass back" a heads-up to the people behind me, if it looks like it would help.

I don't think I ever use the slow signal to indicate I'm slowing down. I use it more like when I tap the brake pedal in my car to cause the brake lights to flash to get a tailgater to back off.

Motorists are often uncertain what to do when they encounter a cyclist up ahead in their lane. Given the unpredictable behavior of many cyclists, they get nervous. A slow signal is a very useful way to quickly and efficiently communicate all of the following:


I know you're behind me.
I know what I'm doing.
I'm not unpredictable.
At least for the moment, I'm not getting out of your way.
When it's safe and reasonable to pass me, I'll let you know.
You don't need to be nervous.
Back off (if you're too close).


I would be oblivious to the usefulness of the ability of the slow signal to be able to accomplish all that if I did not use a mirror.

I agree with all of this, except the last sentence. Yes, a mirror is helpful, and I use one. But most of the time when I use the slow signal (or almost any signal for that matter), I also turn my head, if only briefly. This makes the driver more likely to notice and heed the signal (and communicates that I'm aware of his/her presence, not just slowing down obliviously), and gives me some feedback on whether my signal was understood. So I imagine I could accomplish almost the same thing without a mirror. The mirror just makes it a bit easier to monitor the traffic behind me.

If my trigonometry is not mistaken, a straight arm at a 45-degree angle will stick out further to the left (albeit lower and perhaps less visibly) than the right-angle, across-and-down signal that HH uses. Plus it strikes me as more appropriate, because it has less of a literal association with the meaning, "I'm slowing down". I most often use it on narrow two-lane city roads with parallel-parked cars on each side, where an impatient driver is behind me and I'm looking for an opportunity to move right (into a long enough gap between parked cars) and allow the driver to pass (rather than incite his anger and let him hassle/tailgate me until the next and possibly unsafe opportunity to pass). So my meaning is, "Hold your horses, I'll let you pass me in a second." Then when I move over, I wave the driver to pass. I may have a right to stay my course and hold him up, but in such cases we'd both prefer him to be in front of me, so I'll do what I can to accomodate that safely and courteously. Plus he probably believes I don't have a right to be there -- thus he believes himself justifiably angry -- and nothing I say is likely to change that belief/attitude. (I used the male pronoun only for convenience; female drivers can be equally impatient and ignorant.)

I wonder if anyone has ever ridden, or seen anyone riding, a bicycle with a brake light and turn signal lights. Preferably, the brake light could be activated either automatically by braking, or with a separate lever.

I wonder if anyone has ever ridden, or seen anyone riding, a bicycle with a brake light and turn signal lights. Preferably, the brake light could be activated either automatically by braking, or with a separate lever.It's been done. Check this out: http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=101&subcategory=1068&brand=&sku=10516&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=.

Problems:

1) if a cyclist wants electrically-powered brake/turn signals that are visible in full sunlight, it's going to take some serious lights like my Nova or something similar. Not cutesy-pie rinky-dink little lights like I see people posting pics of occasionally.

2) for turn signals to be comprehensible on a narrow vehicle from anything but point-blank range, a strong red running light is needed to show the vehicle's centerline, so people can tell if the amber turn signal is on the left or right of the vehicle. Otherwise, wow, a flashing amber light that doesn't mean anything.

Also, the lights need enough separation that they don't just blend into eachother... some of the sporty motorcycles today are an example of how NOT to do it, since the whole rear light is only about 6 inches wide and incorporates brake + turn signals. Not everyone wants to go around with light struts protruding from their bike :)

3) the cyclist needs signals that are visible from the front, not just the rear. So that means a headlight as a centerline reference, and front turn-signal lights too.


Back towards the thread topic: A person who wanted a fairly serious brake/running light could get a typical round or oval LED truck brake/turn light, buy that little Nashbar brake light just for the trigger switch, and then wire the switch to the truck light. The truck lights have a running-light mode and then the full-output braking mode. www.superbrightleds.com, www.led-r-us.com, http://www.4statetrucks.com are some sources for truck lights.