Originally Posted by
Camilo
Interesting - people around here use the common left and right turn hand signals all the time (most use a straight right arm for right turn rather than the older, left arm bent at right angle upwards.).
As for the slow/stop signal, every local group ride I ride in, formal or informal (mostly informal), the slowing signal is very common. Even if it isn't, it's certainly universally understood:
Lower hand with straight arm (either right or left) to about 1/3 - 1/2 above straight down. Direct palm rearwards. If you want to emphasize it, gesture with that downward hand moving it forward and backward vigorously. I don't know of anyone who would misunderstand that signal, even if they've never seen it before - same reason the straight right arm is the better signal for a right hand turn - who can misunderstand you're pointing to the right?
Right. and even if you don't know what they mean. Someone is waving their arms about in front of you. That should indicate that you should slow down and figure out what is going on before going around them.