Advocacy & Safety - Clearer Hand Signals

I've got some of those flourescent/reflective snap bands that people usually wear on their ankles. So i've decided to wear them on my wrists instead so drivers could see my hand signals more clearly when turning, especially as i wear black full fingered gloves when cycling.

Anyone else do thius

I wear those bands around my wrists in winter, for the exact same reason. I have also seen gloves that have reflective surface on the back of the hand / fingers. Those would be ideal, but I haven't found them in local shops yet.

--J

Get you another set, wear one like you suggest, but the others should be on your ankles. The flashing movement helps.

I tried those reflective gloves until someone remarked that it looked like I was giving motorists the finger. Since then, if I'm wearing them, I only give hand signals when I'm in a group ride.

Get you another set, wear one like you suggest, but the others should be on your ankles. The flashing movement helps.

Dunno why but i dont find them very comforable on my ankles. I've got some flourescent gaffer tape which i put all over the back of my seat (i ride a recumbent). I was thinking of putting some on my cranks instead of putting bands on my ankles

http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&q=reflective+safety+gloves&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title

good selection of different types of reflective safety gloves

If I am riding in conditions where hand signals need reflective assist to be seen by those to whom I need to signal, I generally alter my riding style to preclude the need to signal. If it's so dark that my signals without reflective assist might not be seen, then, I would forgo any lane change or turn or whatever until traffic is clear and I can complete my maneuver without the need to signal anyone.\

. . . not poo pooing your choice of reflective hand gear, however.

Caruso

As an auxillary question: how many of you signal a right hand turn (in the US - think opposite for GB) with your LEFT arm at a 90 degree angle vs. simply pointing straight right with the RIGHT hand.

I have totally adopted the "point where you're turning" method and my state's laws allow both methods. I believe that signaling a right turn with the left hand (again, think opposite for GB) was developed as an inadequate, but best possible way of signaling from a driver's seat and/or a motorcycle (where the right hand is busy controlling the twist accelerator). Bicyclists have no such limitations and therefore should use the simplest and CLEAREST method of signaling a right turn.

As an auxillary question: how many of you signal a right hand turn (in the US - think opposite for GB) with your LEFT arm at a 90 degree angle vs. simply pointing straight right with the RIGHT hand.

Never heard of that before i just point which way i'm intending to go

Never heard of that before i just point which way i'm intending to go

The US signals aren't the same as in the UK, i.e., point right to go right, wave right to slow, point left to go left.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_070289

As an auxillary question: how many of you signal a right hand turn (in the US - think opposite for GB) with your LEFT arm at a 90 degree angle vs. simply pointing straight right with the RIGHT hand.

I use the left-arm method exclusively for right turns. I use the right solely for merging left.

Motorists will only pay attention to the arm on the side that they are passing you on. Typically, anyway - there are, of course, motorists who are of an exception to this, who make it a point to keep an eye on signals given from both sides of a rider.

And if some myopic oaf misinterprets my turn signal for the finger? Their problem :lol:

-Kurt

I have a pair of these (http://bikehugger.com/2008/02/glo_gloves_turn_signals_for_yo.htm). They work great.

I've got a panoply of hand signals.

a wide swath of reflective tape on the back of the arm of jacket also serves as an effective directional.

running a bright rear reflective and active array, I think a lateral lane move is noticable by motorists.

Glo Glov (mentioned by Donna) web site LINK (http://www.gloglov.com/). Google "glo glov" to find numerous retailers. The prism/bead type of reflective material on them is probably more reflective and durable than the 3M fabric-type on some of the other gloves above, but also less flexible.

I think that using the left arm to signal right turns is obvious is origin -- you can't signal a turn with your right arm while sitting on the left side of a car (and expect to have the signal seen).

On a bicycle, however, both arms are easily visible. So I just point where I'm going to go. Point left with the left arm, do a few head checks... it's obvious (to anyone paying attention) where I'll be going.

But the reflective bits on the hands/wrists is a good idea.

As an auxillary question: how many of you signal a right hand turn (in the US - think opposite for GB) with your LEFT arm at a 90 degree angle vs. simply pointing straight right with the RIGHT hand.

I point with my right arm for right turns, and lately I have taken to point at the pavement to indicate a merge - seems to work better. I so seldom see anyone signal a right turn with their left hand here that it usually takes me a while to remember what it means!

Both methods of signalling rights are legal in Ontario.

As an auxillary question: how many of you signal a right hand turn (in the US - think opposite for GB) with your LEFT arm at a 90 degree angle vs. simply pointing straight right with the RIGHT hand.

I have totally adopted the "point where you're turning" method and my state's laws allow both methods. I believe that signaling a right turn with the left hand (again, think opposite for GB) was developed as an inadequate, but best possible way of signaling from a driver's seat and/or a motorcycle (where the right hand is busy controlling the twist accelerator). Bicyclists have no such limitations and therefore should use the simplest and CLEAREST method of signaling a right turn.

If you are riding with traffic, as I do, The left arm is the one that they will see. I allways use the (L) for a right turn. It is a matter of clairity. It is something of a standard. If everyone comes up with their own "style" for such a critical form of communication, confusion ensues, and safety suffers.

Couldn't care less if someone thinks I'm giving them the finger either :lol:

-Kurt

Maybe those reflective snap thingies come in rings too. I'd get one. (Disclaimer- only use it when the 3000 lb beast is in no position to get you.)

Merge this post with the "what kind of piece do you carry?" one. Signal with the handgun of your choice in the signalling hand. Polite driver attention guaranteed.

Alternatively, police driver attention guaranteed

If you are riding with traffic, as I do, The left arm is the one that they will see. I allways use the (L) for a right turn. It is a matter of clairity. It is something of a standard. If everyone comes up with their own "style" for such a critical form of communication, confusion ensues, and safety suffers.

For clarity, pointing with your right hand is more easily understood by drivers.

The left arm "upright L" signal for a right turn is archaic - it dates back to a time before turn signals were common in cars. I strongly suspect that a large percentage of the driving public does not understand the meaning of that signal.

I've seen other cyclists use the upright L signal, and the reaction from drivers is a somewhat confused wave...apparently, they mistook the signal for some sort of stylized wave.

IMO, "pointing where I'm going", is much easier for the average (and below average) driver to interpret my intentions.

I've been using the point-where-I'm-going method for years, and it is always understood.

The left-hand-up-for-right method is quite often misunderstood by many (most?) people. I try to be an unambiguous as I possibly can. And, as CommunterCommando said, stay out of the way of the huge evil beasts anyway.

That's a great idea. Where did you get those reflective bands?

That's a great idea. Where did you get those reflective bands?

Got em off ebay

Many drivers don't understand how to signal when driving their own cars. So I point to the direction I intend on going. If it's a merge I point to the line I intend to take. If it's a turn I use that arm and point to the direction of the turn.

I use my right arm to signal a right turn. I highly doubt the average motorist would understand the L shaped left hand signal.

I also use a two finger salute hand shape. Extra dork points.