Advocacy & Safety - Turning signals on bikes?

I'm not quite bad at soldering and making simple electronics. I could make some car-style turning signal lights on a bike, should I do it or not?

The main issues are visibility under bright daylight conditions and wide enough physical spacing to convey one's intent unambiguously, particularly if used in conjunction with a blinkie or two.

Bad idea. People will leave them on by mistake and cars will cut them off thinking that they are signalling a turn when they intend to go straight.

I learned this very early while riding motorcycles. Leave your left turn signal on by mistake and an approaching car will think you are turning left and left hook you.

It will only work if it has a very loud obnoxious alarm that sounds while the turn signal is on.

I was born with two turn signals. ;)

My thoughts last year: http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=7311859&postcount=66

From this thread: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=7311859#post7311859

Cliff's notes: I think that if you're in a position where you need a turn signal to be safer, you're dependent on the ability of others to pay attention and decipher what they're seeing. I don't put that kind of trust in people on the street.

Another post I made in a later thread:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=7332613&postcount=14

I'm not quite bad at soldering and making simple electronics. I could make some car-style turning signal lights on a bike, should I do it or not?

More power to ya!!:)

meh, I just stick my arms out and point emphatically to tell others where I'm going

I just use arm signals.

But something I've been thinking of is replacement trailer lights such as is sold in any autoparts store would work well for this. You'd just have to carry enough battery to run them, which is why I haven't done it. You'd also have to rig up some way to mount them to the bike so they would be far enough apart, but that wouldn't be difficult.

The LED replacement trailer lights would make great taillights.

When I was a kid I had a turn signal unit for my bike, so they do exist.

I was born with two turn signals. ;)

Good point, I always thought bright colored cycling gloves would be good at night.

...Cliff's notes: I think that if you're in a position where you need a turn signal to be safer, you're dependent on the ability of others to pay attention and decipher what they're seeing. I don't put that kind of trust in people on the street...

me either. I go when I have enough room to do it.

On rare occasions when traffic is very heavy and very slow, and I want to turn, I get the attention of the driver and make sure he gives me the room I need before I go.

It just kills me when I see someone just stick an arm out and go (they probably think it's a safe thing to do too!)

I'm adding front and rear turn signals and a rear brake light. I just ordered affordable, amber strobes with 22 LEDs on each strobe light (yes, they're coming from Hong Kong, but a pair of strobes for under $7.00, with the controller, was far cheaper that what I could find from sellers here). I want something bright enough to be seen in daylight. I've come to the conclusion that most younger drivers have no comprehension of hand signals after a number waved when I was signaling a right turn and they definitely don't understand the hand signal for stop. I think it's time for safety regs to be updated and require turn signals and brake lights, especially on power-assisted bicycles. Let's face it, turn signals and brake lights have been required on cars for such a long period, most drivers on the road today have no reason to know hand signals.

I think that that turn signals would be largely overlooked, unless they were somehow überbright.

Arms convey the message far better, imho.

More power to ya!!:)

My sentiments exactly. If you put something together that works well - give us a description with some pics or video.

The only reason that I've been tempted toward electric turn signals is the inability of drivers to understand the signal for a right turn. (Hard to believe they don't understand, but it seems to be the case)

Maybe I'll try using the hand-up right turn signal with my hand curved over my head, index finger pointing to my right. The stop signal might be used with all fingers spread in an obvious "stop" gesture.

Electric turn signals are still tempting, but I'm afraid that anything that is really up to the job will require quite a battery.

When drivers don't understand arm signals, they don't mean a thing. Like I said in my previous post, younger drivers who've seen me signaling a right turn have thought I'm waiving. Given how long turn signals and brake lights have been mandated safety equipment on cars, most drivers under 30 don't even understand hand signals. It's cold comfort that we cyclists may know hand signals, but if the operators of larger vehicles don't, their use is irrelevant and dangerous.

New lighting technology enables clear views of turn signals both during the day and at night. I really think it's time that safety regulations require turn signals and brake signals on bicycles. The amber strobe lights I've ordered to use as turn signals have 22 bright LEDs on each strobe and the units are good-sized--4 inches by 2 1/2 inches. They'll be visible in daylight and highly visible at night. The brake light will have 9 super bright LEDs. I already have double bright head lamps and a battery-powered LED tail light. I will be adding spoke lights as well. At dawn, dusk and nighttime, you can't have too many lights.

I always use my right arm to signal right turn. The standard right turn signal seems like it's designed for use while piloting a left-hand drive automobile.

I used to have a turn signal back on my bike back in the late 70s, thought it was the coolest thing ever. It wasn't really effective, though.'

Perhaps a single LED flashing on the handlebar-mounted control switch (I'm guessing this is what will be used) would be an adequate reminder that you've a signal on.

Chevron indicators like I've seen on some SUV/truck sideview mirrors would be nice, I'd think.

I was actually going to mention this in my "oh hi I'm a huge n00b" post. So, here's what I would've said:

And why has no one invented turn signals for bikes? I hate arm signals. Not only do I feel they look dumb, but I don't trust most drivers to know what they mean anyway since they're so scarcely used. Half of them will probably think I'm flipping them off (we won't go into the safety implications of that). A blinking turn signal, everyone understands.

I thought of this on my ride today when waiting to turn left into the driveway of our complex; another car was coming and I stopped, just as I would've in my car, but the driver probably wondered for a split second why I was stopping. But what was I to do, stand there with my arm out until she was past? She probably would've thought I wanted a high-five!

If there's little traffic, no problem. If I'm already in the left-turn lane, no problem. Simple right turn, no problem. But what about changing lanes in traffic? Maybe it's not as difficult on a bike as in a car, I dunno, but sometimes my turn signal is the only thing that gets me space to move over in heavy traffic (and sometimes it just signals other drivers to speed up so they don't have to let me in--boy do they get pissed when I nudge in anyway! But that is SO not possible on a bike).

Motorcycles have turn signals placed on the handlebars; if people can understand motorcycle turn signals, shouldn't they kind of think 'Hey, those lights on the left are blinking, its yellow like a turn signal, and I've seen them on motorcycles. Hes turning left'. Even in America, I'd hope people aren't thinking. "Those flashing decals are tacky"

Good point, I always thought bright colored cycling gloves would be good at night.
I took a piece of yellow reflective 3M tape and taped a piece of cloth duct tape to the back, then sewed that to the back of one pair of cycling gloves.

Here you go: wireless turn signals w/ iPod charger!

http://craziestgadgets.com/2009/08/12/spooklight-wireless-bicycle-turn-signal-brake-light-and-ipod-charger/

It just kills me when I see someone just stick an arm out and go (they probably think it's a safe thing to do too!)


That seems to be what most do in their cars.:innocent:

In California we're allowed to signal a right turn with our right arm. I just point right.

http://www.gloglov.com/index.html

I prefer to signal a right turn by sticking out my right arm. The old fashioned method results in too many people waving back at me.

By the way, as a kid in the 70s I can recall electric turn signals being sold for bikes.

I think that if you're in a position where you need a turn signal to be safer, you're dependent on the ability of others to pay attention and decipher what they're seeing. I don't put that kind of trust in people on the street.

Ashley Madison (http://productreviewsby.me/ashley-madison-review/)

Why am I reminded of the Simpsons episode where all the lonely men are on a party line and Apu says "I don't think there are any women on this line."

The only reason that I've been tempted toward electric turn signals is the inability of drivers to understand the signal for a right turn. (Hard to believe they don't understand, but it seems to be the case)

Maybe I'll try using the hand-up right turn signal with my hand curved over my head, index finger pointing to my right. The stop signal might be used with all fingers spread in an obvious "stop" gesture.

That's basically what I do, except that I close my hand and have my left thumb pointing to the right. For a left turn I not only stick my left arm out to the left, but point to the left with my index finger. For a slow/stop arm down, hand open.


Electric turn signals are still tempting, but I'm afraid that anything that is really up to the job will require quite a battery.

When drivers don't understand arm signals, they don't mean a thing. Like I said in my previous post, younger drivers who've seen me signaling a right turn have thought I'm waiving. Given how long turn signals and brake lights have been mandated safety equipment on cars, most drivers under 30 don't even understand hand signals. It's cold comfort that we cyclists may know hand signals, but if the operators of larger vehicles don't, their use is irrelevant and dangerous.

New lighting technology enables clear views of turn signals both during the day and at night. I really think it's time that safety regulations require turn signals and brake signals on bicycles. The amber strobe lights I've ordered to use as turn signals have 22 bright LEDs on each strobe and the units are good-sized--4 inches by 2 1/2 inches. They'll be visible in daylight and highly visible at night. The brake light will have 9 super bright LEDs. I already have double bright head lamps and a battery-powered LED tail light. I will be adding spoke lights as well. At dawn, dusk and nighttime, you can't have too many lights.

That is the fault of the children's parents and/or the school for not teaching them. When teaching a child to ride they should also be teaching them the hand signals.

And how will you wire these lights? Will the turn signals turn off after a couple of seconds or are you going to have to remember to turn them off? Are you going to wire micro switches into your brake levers so that when you apply your brakes your brake light, lights up like when a person applies pressure to the brake pedal in their car?

Turn signals just sound stupid to me. lol but if your into lights sticking off your bike then it'd be good for you.

I think that if you're in a position where you need a turn signal to be safer, you're dependent on the ability of others to pay attention and decipher what they're seeing. I don't put that kind of trust in people on the street.

Ashley Madison (http://productreviewsby.me/ashley-madison-review/)

???... looks like spam to me..


The only reason that I've been tempted toward electric turn signals is the inability of drivers to understand the signal for a right turn. (Hard to believe they don't understand, but it seems to be the case)

Maybe I'll try using the hand-up right turn signal with my hand curved over my head, index finger pointing to my right. ...

I just point with my right arm, like what Lester says:


I always use my right arm to signal right turn. The standard right turn signal seems like it's designed for use while piloting a left-hand drive automobile.

I was actually going to mention this in my "oh hi I'm a huge n00b" post. So, here's what I would've said:

And why has no one invented turn signals for bikes? I hate arm signals. Not only do I feel they look dumb, but I don't trust most drivers to know what they mean anyway since they're so scarcely used. Half of them will probably think I'm flipping them off (we won't go into the safety implications of that). A blinking turn signal, everyone understands.

I thought of this on my ride today when waiting to turn left into the driveway of our complex; another car was coming and I stopped, just as I would've in my car, but the driver probably wondered for a split second why I was stopping. But what was I to do, stand there with my arm out until she was past? She probably would've thought I wanted a high-five!

If there's little traffic, no problem. If I'm already in the left-turn lane, no problem. Simple right turn, no problem. But what about changing lanes in traffic? Maybe it's not as difficult on a bike as in a car, I dunno, but sometimes my turn signal is the only thing that gets me space to move over in heavy traffic (and sometimes it just signals other drivers to speed up so they don't have to let me in--boy do they get pissed when I nudge in anyway! But that is SO not possible on a bike).

One big benefit of signaling with your hand is that it's likely to be a lot higher than a bike-mounted signal. The drivers that are behind the car next to you -- and in the next lane over -- are more likely to see your hand.

But if it's really that busy and fast, I think you'd be better off by either choosing somewhere else to make your turn or to stop and wait for a larger gap in traffic.

If the traffic herd/stampede is going 35+ mph and you're like the 99.9% of cyclists who don't cruise at over 35 mph, putting yourself into that flow is going to make those drivers half a block back (or more) wonder why everyone else seems to be stopping.

One possible advantage of such a system, assuming that it is built, is that the signals would be very visible at night, while arm signals are not.

One big benefit of signaling with your hand is that it's likely to be a lot higher than a bike-mounted signal. The drivers that are behind the car next to you -- and in the next lane over -- are more likely to see your hand.

Benefit? You need to explain that, 'cuz it doesn't work for me.

Automobile-mounted tail/signal-lights are positioned directly above the vehicle's rear bumper -- at a maximum height of 1.5-2ft -- THAT'S where drivers are looking for an indication of "something's gonna happen", not 2-3 feet higher-up, at shoulder height.

As for drivers "behind the car next to [me] -- and in the next lane over", that's only going to be true if the one directly behind me isn't an SUV or a "regular car" with heavily-tinted windows [go ahead, try 'n find one].

Benefit? You need to explain that, 'cuz it doesn't work for me.

Picture a bike, a car to its rear left quarter, and another car on the left of the first car.

The second car isn't going to see a turn signal mounted at fender level on the bike because it's blocked by the first car.

That second car, though, also needs to know what's going on if you're expecting to come into its lane.

So, unless you're going to mount a turn signal on a stick that rises above the hood of a car, you should be using your hands.

http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q119/hotbike/photo_0023-1.jpg

How about the way I did it? The front blinkers are on the flat piece of aircraft plywood, under the fairing, they face up so I can see them.

Hold on, standby while I dig up more pictures...

http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q119/hotbike/photo_0025-1.jpg
Overhead View, the batteries are on the frame-mounted rack. ( I have added a second battery on the right side, since this picture was taken).

http://s134.photobucket.com/albums/q119/hotbike/photo_0024-1.jpg
Rear View- The blinkers are the white lens "bullet lights". The blinkers are controlled by toggle switches, which are mounted on the fairing. Here, they are both on, "four-way flasher" mode. (and the camera caught them while they were on, you can see the front amber blinkers too.)

meh, I just stick my arms out and point emphatically to tell others where I'm going

I've been doing the same thing for the past few years. I still use the old standard hand signals too, but when I get to an intersection and I'm unsure a car driver, or a bike rider, understands where I'm going, I just point right at the direction I'm going. Even if I'm going straight across the intersection.

Yep, I'm an old geezer. It used to be standard practice to signal your intentions when riding a bike, for your own safety and as a courtesy to others on the road.

I haven't seen another bike rider signal a turn for many years now....