Hand signals are fine in daylight, but I'm thinking indicator lights would be better at night

Not finding a suitable light (or wanting to take on the challenge of making one), I purchased two pairs of Glo Gloves which have pieces of Reflexite retro-reflective vinyl sewn on.

FYI: there are two styles available for cycling; Sport (palm padding, reflective back) and Original (reflective front and back). Both can be worn alone or stretched over cycling gloves. I bought the "Rider ~ Packet" so that our tandem team has a Sport pair for the captain and an Original pair for the stoker (who does most of the signaling).

Bruce Rosar
Not associated with "Glo Glov" (other than being a satisfied customer

Those "Glo Gloves" seem great, but has anyone seen a pair of extra bright orange/green gloves (So that hand signals are even more visible)

Hi folks,
Just a quick note.
I found this forum as I was searching links for Bicycle Turn Signals, and am very disapointed.

I gathered that the poor fellow that started this discussion was, like me looking for Turn Signals.
Like me all he got was a bunch a crap about peoples thoughts on the concept of signalling and bike safty.
In other words, just another chat room.

If you can't answer some ones question, just say "I don't know" and leave it at that.

I signed on to this forum just to post this reply, I won't be back, as I find the people here are no help what so ever.

Doubt the cagers will see a turn signal on a bicycle. I would go with the standard hand signals. I run my brakes motorcycle fashion with front on left. This allows me to use my left hand for signals. The front brake will do about 70% of the work in stopping a bike. Same as a motorcycle. The weight transfer to the front wheel during a stop creates more friction and shorter stops. MTB brakes will allow you to do stoppies easily.

Perhaps you missed some of the original post:

You may not be interested in signalling, but this quote convinces me that the OP was.

which is why I also point with my fingers. My right turn signal isn't the 90 degree raised forearm with upper arm parallel to the ground that the teach in driver's ed. It's more like the upper arm is pointed slightly upward and the forearm is at a more acute angle, so it looks like I'm in the middle of throwing a high punch to my right; and my fingers are also pointing in the direction of travel to reduce the ambiguity

Seems to work for most of the drivers behind me.

and for folks who poo-poo hand signals because it requires one to take your hands off the handlebar; I mean no disrespect, but honestly, that's more of a deficit in one's bike handling skills than it is a flaw in the system. If you don't signal because too many things are happening and the streets are too chaotic and you can't take more than a second to move your hands off your handlebars then you should slow down, get stable, then signal.

I do this in bumper-bumper stop/start traffic (whenever I don't feel like filtering-front), I like to have both brakes available, and sneaking a look over my shoulder looking directly AT a driver, I know he's seen me and knows I'm wanting to come in. If I'm not "in" traffic as much, or moving much slower, etc. then I'll put my arm out - this is the norm, I don't have a problem signalling. I often find I don't signal much or at all if there is no traffic around, though.

I don't use the left-arm right-turn signal, simply because I personally think it's stupid. I use my left arm (typically as I'm merging left) raised in that similar manner to wave "thanks" to a courteous driver, and I'm usually taking the lane, so my left and right arms should both be equally visible (and hopefully to MANY of the non-native drivers here, a right-arm and left-arm signal are very easy to understand and not misinterpret).

YMMV on hand signals, but I believe them to be a perfectly good solution rather than needing explicit lit signals.

Both links turn up DOA here. Does anyone else have a DOA on this links?


Zero_Enigma

Pretty sure you mean the other way around? IIRC, bikes here (in North America) come with back-right and front-left as standard. I switched mine to be back-left front-right (as per motorcycles I've ridden on and my former bikes in the UK).

Well everyone has thier view on how the signaling works. Being a driver I know I pay more attention to car signals then bikes with hand signals. Then again everyones comment is based in thier own enviroment. If the locals are in a bike friendly city/part-of-town then sure most will know the turn signals. Like if I was signalling downtown Toronto most cars would yield to me but if you go north of the city by 30km it's day and night as it's suburb life and thus another enviroment and they're notas friendly/understanding then downown because downtown it's congested with lots of people/bikes moving thus the drivers are slower and are more used it there then up in the 'burbs.

Perosnally I am leaning more towards the bike signalling system myself. I'd love to find one that has a front & back signalling lights controlled by one switch that makes both front/back light up/blink. I'd prefer for the back signals to be brighter then the front signals as I can see the front traffic quite a bits away but I find in my case in both enviroments up/down town back is more important as the cars are coming faster. I would still use arm signals in conjunction with the light signal just as the added visual so the driver knows I'm turning and seeing a moving arm so it's pretty much no quibble understanding that I want to turn left/right.

Zero_Enigma

I'll see if I can dig up the pictures and re-post. Sorry-old links and I don't have access to that server anymore.

Hon, if you had endeavoured to read a few threads, you would have discovered that this is a forum of shared wisdom and experiences. Often this means members post alternate solutions for problems like the OP's, because the world isn't static, consistent, and perfectly accommodating for cyclists. Sometimes they stray off topic, but most discussions proffer an abundance of assorted helpful tidbits. Shush up and learn, my dear.

P.S. I sew a long line of reflective tape on the front and back arms of my jacket, shoulder to wrist. It makes the arm signal a little more visible at night, if anyone is looking. The source, of course, is www.identi-tape.com. They also have iron-on tape, for the non-sewing-inclined.

if you are trying to be seen better or are concerned your hand signals are not going to be seen, maybe you should consider some reflective gloves?

https://www.copquest.com/12-2150.htm is one manufacturer. I'm sure that there are some clip on blinkies that could be sewed/clipped on somehow to one of those or a livestrong or similar wristband as well to increase your visibility even more....

Just a thought.

Hi
Regarding hand signals . I have three rearview mirrors on my road bike and an electronic turn signal. The reason for the turn signal was: most folks have no idea what a right turn signal is with the left hand. I was almost run down three times because "they do not have a clue.' If I hadn't been observant, I wouldn't be here now.

I watch diligently. Look over my shoulder consistantly, and wave cars on when possible before making my turn. Got to watch and drive very defensively. I let them know that I know they are there. Many folks have little respect for motor cycles and even less for bikes. This is true at least in my area.

The light is very bright even in daylight. The only drawback is the the brake and turn signal lights are all red. The unit cost just $5.49 and uses AA batteries. I bought two more and am adapting two amber shields in place of the red turn signals. Cut and glue project.

There is an expensive unit direct from China. Li-on Battery and wireless. $76. Free shipping until end of October. I am not promoting the product. But with all the bikes just in Beijing, one can understand why these items are more available from them.

Best!

I put turn signals on my bike and they work great. Look online for led motorcycle turn signals and order a set of four. These are large enough and bright enough to be seen in daylight. These also come with a threaded bolt that can be easily mounted though a hole that you can drill in a simple plate that you attach to your racks. If not you may have to fabricate a bracket as each bicycle is different. You need to have them far enough apart which is a little over a foot. Look at motorcycles and copy their spacing. If you put a large rear led light in the middle this will let drivers know what side is blinking and they can see the leds during the day and that is about all they see at night. Great for left turns. You can't use a normal auto turn signal flasher with leds so you need to get a model designed for the low current draw of leds. Now that motorcycles use a lot of leds more aftermarket flashers are available.

I use switches designed for electric scooters. These usually are designed for thinner diameter handlebars than motorcycles and have a bulit in turn signal switch, headlight switch - which you can wire to your front lights, and some times one or two extra buttons that you can customize.

I think cyclists should look to solutions reversed engineered from motorcycles and electric scooters since they have solved this problem years ago. Now that there are affordable lightweight, strong batteries available I think signals are a great edition to a commuter.

I am getting a new commuter this fall and will be putting my signals on it. I will be rebuilding the harness and mounting points and when I do I will post pictures.

Unless someones has tried truly daylight visible turn/brake signals they cannot say if they work or not. Trust me, when I tap my brake lever and my led truck light fires off then cars notice the same is true for the turn signals. Some drivers will not see you even if you have an armed escort though so be careful.

I use hand signals.

Here is a link to what appears to be an interesting turn signal system.

https://www.bicygnals.com/

My concern with turn signals is lane positioning. You are far right and signal a left turn. A motorist will see a flashing light to the far right and assume you are turning right, setting you up for disaster as they move left and pass you, realizing too late that the flashing light was on a bike that they just hit after misinterpreting what they saw in the dark.

I have not found this to be the case. Granted I am only one data point. The signals that you posted do not seem to be as wide as the handle bars which I think they should be. The critical component in an always on, large rear taillight and wide enough spacing of the signals. Most rear bike blinkies while they are bright enough they do not have enough surface area in my opinion.

When I redo my signals in the next couple months I will post pictures. I still use hand signals and I definitely look over my shoulder but after I get the driver's attention I can put my hand back on the handlebars and let the signal continue to communicate where I am going.

The signals have worked for me and I can see how a driver could confuse them. In my experience I have had more drivers understand what the signals meant than drivers who thought a left hand turn signal meant that I was about to turn right.

I use hand signals when I can. I agree that most drivers don't know exactly what I am doing and they may think I am trying to smack a bee on my helmet or trying to fly. But even if they don't know what I am doing I find that it gets them to slow down and pay attention. So for that reason alone it is useful.

thats why i use my right arm extended.

generally though i dont see many times when i have to signal a right turn.

also usually i dont really extend my arm, i look at whoever i want to signal to (often looking back at the car behind me) and point to the left (which involves extending the arm, but pointing with a finger and moving the arm a little rather than holding it out stiff)

I am getting ready to put turn signals on my bike. They will be a combination of motorcycle and car parts.

I found one place to get the LED arrows you see on car mirrors. So there shouldn't be any question about which way I am turning.

you could get a product like "safeturn". it puts blinkies on the back of your hands that only flash when you make a normal turn signal...

Yes there are many makeshift blinker systems and a few packaged. However, you are much more likely to be seen if you use the standard hand signals. Maybe buy some florescent yellow gloves if you're worried?

I have been using my turn signals for a while now. I really like them. I still use hand signals but the lights stay on longer. So if someone misses your hand signal the lights are still a flashing.

I wouldn't call my lights make-shift. I am using trailer lights and a car flasher unit.

+1 on hand signals. On a related note, I am considering sewing on some reflective tape on my long-sleeve jersey just so it's easier for driver's to see me signal at night.