Turn signals?
 

Is there anything out there like a flashing turn signal for a bicycle? I was just wondering, since there seems to be everything else if you know where to look. And, also...how do most people communicate their intentions to drivers while riding in traffic?

The good ol one finger Roman Peace Sign works for me

Flashing left and right turn signal for a bike

Wow, I found one. Wonder how useful it would be...

You might want to poke around in the 57 replies to the Need to install turn signals on touring bike thread for answers to your question.

Hi, I'm wondering why you would want to install turn signals. It seems to me as though they would be very difficult to see by the car traffic behind you. What's wrong with hand signals? (They seem like the most visible/practical turn signal method)

Peace

I use hand signals. Right Turn-straight out to the right, Left Turn-straight out to the left, Lane Change-pointing out and down to whichever side I'm changing to. Very big, very visible and very clear signals. Another blinky light on the back of my bike would probably go completely unnoticed.

As a driver, I don't pay much attention to motorcycle turn signals. Turn signals on bicycles will go unnoticed. Hand signals are much more effective.

Or maybe do a :eek: Search?
http://img245.echo.cx/img245/9869/search7ro.gif

Well, as a driver I definitely pay more attention to motorcycle turn signals than to bicycle hand signals. (can't really remember the last time I saw anyone use hand signals anyway...) YMMV

http://www.bikemiamivalley.org/safety1.htm

These are the only legally accepted and recognized signals I have ever heard of. Using your right arm may not be visible to motorists (as they tend to be on your left).

I had a nice set of homemade turn signals on my other bike, but I didn't transfer them to my new bike for a number of reasons: didn't want the extra wiring harness on the new bike (I blame my uber-geekness on the huge wiring harness), the extra weight/size and difficulty in loading the bike on the car bike carrier, and mostly, not convinced that the signals really made any difference (at least during daylight hours). Next fall when my commute happens more in darkness, I may revisit my signals and geek another verison on my bike. If you are interested in my old setup, look here and here.

Ahhh, hand signals. Anyone else here remember when these were taught in drivers ed?

Generally, if I'm approaching an intersection the car to my rear is directly, or nearly directly, behind me. If I'm turning across the intersection, I'm in the inner-most lane, or the lane that proceeds in that direction.

Your left hand will be far more visible to traffic in any of the scenarios you describe. Your right hand wouldn't and shouldn't be used at all.

Most cagers don't know what a right turn signal with the left hand is.

Many states permit the use of right arm extended to indicate a right turn. It's more readily understood and the only reason left-arm-up was established was because hand signals were initially developed for automobiles and it's real hard for a driver in the US to get their right arm out the passenger window.

I agree somewhat. For those who've never been introduced to hand-signals (even though they've been around for 100 years or so) the right turn sign is alien to them, but I know it's part of thedrivers test up here, so I think most Canadian cagers have some familiarity with them. Since right hand signals are neither accepted nor recognized here, I'd think Canadian cyclists/motorists should stick to the standard and established signals. After all, we don't wanna confuse the poor cagers any more than we need to. They already have makeup, breakfast, lunch, cell phone, CD player, navigational system, kids and maybe a spouse or co-worker distracting them as it is. ;)

I find the most effective means to convey an intent to merge or turn in a given direction is simply to look behind me over the respective shoulder.

In particular, when merging left, all it takes to "signal" to motorists behind you that you want to do that is often to simply look behind over your left shoulder for a second or so. Of course, look ahead first and make sure it's safe to look away for as long as you're going to look behind...

This is particularly useful when traveling fast downhill and you want to keep both hands on the wheel to brake with both hands, yet need to signal.

Serge

That's pretty much what I do. Signals mean nothing in busy traffic when the drivers have no idea what the signal means. Are those signals even taught in drivers ed?

Koffee

I don't want to install turn signal lights...was just wondering if they existed (have never seen a bicycle with them). I was thinking about it the other day when I was making a left turn. I was also thinking about the usefulness of hand signals, since what I was taught as a youngster and in drivers ed are different from what is published by my city in their cycling guide. I was also wondering how many drivers out there will recognize my hand signal for what it is, even though I think it's pretty obvious, you never know what the driver of the car behind you has going on between their ears, or what they were taught.

The left arm hand signals are what I was taught. It makes sense, from the drivers perspective, to use the left arm, and seems like a better choice for reasons of visibility for the cyclist to use the left arm signals. The city that I live in recommends left arm out straight for a left turn, right arm out straight for a right turn.

The problem with hand signals is you already need that hand to operate brakes and gears, and maintain balance and directional control. It's hard enough to do those things with 2 hands on the handlebars on bumpy roads in dynamic traffic. So you get maybe a second or two of brief signaling, which screws up your balance and timing, and distracts you from the traffic and surface you're dealing with. Whoever thought up those hand-signals apparently rode only flat smooth roads and didn't have Joe-Bob Speed Racer breathing up their backside. There's gotta be a better way...

Well, I guess I should say, I use arm signals in addition to looking. From the reactions I've gotten from drivers, they may not see me looking back in my mirror, but when I turn my head and look over my shoulder it seems to say, "Hey, watch now, I might be moving over." This followed by an arm signal never fails to communicate my intentions and, unless it's one of those cagers that's just out to prove s/he's a jerk, rarely fails to get me an opening. Towing the trailer seems to make this even more effective, especially if the load appears large and bulky.

And anyway, signalling a lane change from left to right with the left arm makes no sense at all when it's the driver to my right rear that I particularly want to communicate with.

Automatic turn signals for bikes?

I've tried them. Not bright enough (The ones available are not exactly NiteRider tail light bright!) to be seen in most cases, especially during the day. The wiring harnesses are a pain to fasten to the bike, and are too lightweight to take the abuse. The units themselves don't take abuse well, either! The battery life...stinks!!

I wish they did have really good turn signal setups available...hand signals are difficult, if not, at times, impossible to sustain long enough in motion without risking going out of control and falling. (Not something you want to do at rush hour!). Lights will work from the time you turn them on, until you turn them off.

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 :o

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)

This forum not much help
 

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.