Cdy291

What do you think about the rare few people that signal right turns on group rides with their left arm. I makes me want to beat them up with a fold up lounge chair WWE style.

robbie_vlad

Why? Technically speaking, for a person on a bike (or motorcycle), the signal for turning right is the raising of the left hand at a 90 degree angle.

ptle

Seems to me they're signaling correctly. Nothing wrong with that. I use both ways of signaling.

SwingBlade

I guess if your group is riding in the middle of nowhere with zero auto traffic it would be OK to have special signals for the pack. However, standardization is important for success in any endeavor and car drivers are the ones that represent the greatest danger to the pack so they deserve a signal they can easily understand ... and that is the left arm raised at a 90 degree angle.

ls0725

can we be a tag-team?

Falcon64

Not really rare in my group ride more like an even split, but since both methods are legal in Virginia, I've never given it much thought.

DScott

Life must be pretty good to have this on your list of peeves...

prathmann

I'd expect most motorists to more quickly and easily recognize an outstretched right hand as indicating an intention to turn right than the left arm raised at 90 degrees. I believe most states now recognize either signal as legally valid and the right arm signal is certainly more intuitive.

But I don't really see any cause to be upset with someone who uses either of these methods of signaling.

Dr. Banzai

I'm not following.

Where I come from you can only signal a right turn with your left arm raised 90deg.

Joe Road

Two old guys on one of my group rides signal a right hand turn with their left arm raised vertically. Hey, it's not the forties and you're not driving a car that has no turn signals. But anyway, they both clinch their fist so it ends up looking more like a power to the people salute.

I prefer the right arm extended horizontally. But when I see them signaling, I always smile.

deep_sky

Very few people in my club still use the left arm to signal a right hand turn. Usually it's the older folks because it's what they are used to. Most folks use the right arm to signal a right hand turn (if they do at all, which is troublesome to me).

gregf83 

You'd need to be pretty thick not to understand which way a cyclist with an outstretched right hand intended to turn.

umd

That ridiculous signal is designed for people who only have the left side available to signal. Most drivers don't even know the "standard" signals, pointing where you want to go gets the point across more consistently.

wanlogan

For the longest time, I signaled right turns with my left. Then I realized I didn't need to.

Now I just use both arms.

Dr. Banzai

We agree to disagree. No one here "points". I've never seen it in my life.

umd

I don't mean literally stick your finger into a point, I just mean use the arm for the direction you want to go.

dooodstevenn

the way i do hand signals in a car is left left arm straight out, right left arm at 90 degree

the way i do hand signals on the bike left,left arm out. right, right arm out

the only reason cars have the 90 degree angle rule, is because it would not be too safe to reach across and stick your right arm out the right window while your head is under the dash.

ls01

I used to think t was pretty funny to see someone riding a bike signaling a turn like he had his arm sutck out a window. Until I spoke with a policeman about it and was told that is the proper signal, and the law doesnt recognise the right arm signal.
So I use whatever is appropriate for who I am signaling for. If I am riding solo and trying to comunicate with a car I use the old standard if its for a cyclist I use the right arm. That is assuming I am signaling at all of course.

umd

Can't speak for your locality, but this is California:

"
Hand Signals. VC 22111
All required signals given by hand and arm shall be given in the following manner:

1. Left turn-hand and arm extended horizontally beyond the side of the bicycle.
2. Right turn- left hand and arm extended upward beyond the side of the bicycle or right hand and arm extended horizontally to the right side of the bicycle.
3. Stop or sudden decrease of speed signal- left hand and arm extended downward beyond the side of the bicycle"

umd

Regarding this last item, I will use whichever hand is more appropriate for riders behind me. E.g. If I am in a double line, I will use the hand that is toward the center, between the lines.

tntyz

Why signal at all? Most cars don't . . .

botto 

you need to dial down on the 'roids.

WhyFi

More to the point - regardless of whether or not you've experienced it, would you understand the cyclist's intent if you did see that signal?

WhyFi

No offense, but a lot of us live and ride in places with a higher vehicular density than Nabob... but, if that works for you, who am I to argue?

Paul Barnard

That's very anal of you.