Today something really unusual occurred on my evening commute. Approaching an intersection I signaled for a right turn using my left arm, old school. That's not unusual, I always signal turns. What was unusual was the oncoming driver signaling to go left actually understood and made his turn without waiting for me. I wonder if drivers are hesitant to trust cyclists or if hand signals are just not understood anymore? Does this happen to you as well?

When I took my road test for my driver's license, I had to use hand signals on some of my turns. That was in the 80's. I don't think they even teach them anymore.

That's quaint, but the "left hand up for a right turn" signal needs to die already.

As a sometimes motorcycle rider as well, it has been my experience that these are still understood fairly well, at least where I've lived. Left arm is needed because a motorcyclist can't release the throttle to signal with right arm.

I was in my car coming up behind a cyclist who signaled a right turn Mon, so I stayed behind him as I was turning right too. Then he went straight and ran the red! :-(
So I was left somewhat confused as to what he was trying to say with his arm.

I think that there is a place for it still. To me most drivers know what it means and I think under certain circumstances it is more visible.

I usually combine the two, but I most certainly use the left hand up everyday.

Same experience here, it's peculiar but doesn't bother me - I figure that if a driver can't understand a simple signal (for the record, I point where I'm going) then really it's better that they stay stopped then do something unpredictable.

Any motorcyclist I've ever seen that didn't have turn signals solved that problem by not bothering to signal with their arm.

And since most car drivers can't be bothered to use their turn signals in the first place, I don't expect them to suddenly start using their left arm to signal turns if they become aware that their turn signals don't work...

Maybe he was signaling brake system failure. I did once see a cyclist signal his intention to go straight at an intersection by lifting his left arm forward and up, like he was leading a charge in battle.

group ride using the going straight signal.

Arrows in lanes at most intersections should take the mystery out of where i am going, though some drivers still think if i'm in a turn lane i'm going straight.. Left turns are made from left side of lane, and right turns do not cross anything, negating need for signaling in most cases.

- Andy

The signal makes perfect sense...

... If you're in a car and people can't see your right hand. I agree that bicyclists should use their right hand to signal right.

I signal right turns with my right arm extended straight. It communicates much more clearly to drivers what you are planning to do. And it's legal in Texas at least.

I like to just do the head pointing, kind of bobbing it toward the direction I'm going as if I'm subtly trying to tell someone to leave a room. Drivers either get it, think I'm challenging them to a race or think I'm trying to get water out of my ear. Either way, they generally wait for me as they wonder, "What is that guy's problem?"

https://www.velominati.com/the-rules/

It's also a rule. #63

I agree with this. Left hand signal for right turn looks silly, and most drivers will just think you are giving them the finger, or waving to a friend, or something.

I'll use the right arm signal if someone is waiting to turn left and I am turning right. That and lane changes are the only things I ever bother signalling for.

One of the rules that I absolutely seriously agree with! Here's a direct link: Velominati Rule #63

Show of hands for everyone: have you ever seen a car driver signal a right turn with their left arm out the window? I don't think it actually happens (anymore), even if we agree that it "could."

OK... if we/they do away with the left arm left/right/stop signal... (to switch to a right arm right signal) please explain to me which hand/arm I will use to wave to you when I see you on the street? Currently... my right hand/arm is free for saluting, waving, and wiping bugs off my jersey.

Just... thinking this through. P.S. And... I mean an actual military salute not an obscene gesture.

Sure! Not everyday of course... but sure I see that.

Here's the signal:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92d1xtjXf8E

Sometimes you have to read the finger(s)...

You'd be free to use whichever arm is more convenient -- I use whichever one needs a break from holding onto the handlebars. Unless you're riding no-hands, priority would go to signalling, of course.

I'm still a little incredulous, but that is interesting, as I've never seen it. Broken signals, or just a really old person who preferred the old way, I wonder...

My wife (blind) usually does the signaling on the road racing tandem when we ride it, especially in town. It is just too much of a handful sometimes in traffic. She has never gotten the hang of the "proper" right hand signal so I gave up trying to teach it to her. Now I find myself signaling right turns with the right arm as well. Here in Portland I've seen more than a few drivers of period automobiles hand signaling right turns. I wish more PNW drivers would signal turns, but that's another thread. I've even seen a couple of cyclists signaling "proper" right hand signals. I'd probably see more if I was actually looking for it. I've also seen period cycling gear, as well as period bicycles as well. I love biking/being in Portland.

H

I once signaled a left turn as a pickup truck was coming up fast and would surely overtake me. I was almost run over by the kid driving as I started to turn and only didn't get hit because I aborted my turn. He told me that he thought I was signalling for him to pass me on the left. I told him he shouldn't be driving.

Right arm/right turn is intuitive, most drivers will understand, if they are paying attention at all.

Left arm/right turn is an anachronism, fewer drivers will understand it each year.

If you're in the left line of a group ride, signaling a right turn with your right hand might smack a fellow rider in the face. That's the only time I use the old left-hand-right-turn signal.

Anyone still using the left hand down as a stop signal?

I learned hand signals in Driver's Ed in high school, and also from my parents who learned to drive in cars without turn signals, but I've always used my right arm to signal a right turn on a bicycle.