I need to install turn signals on a touring bike. Can anyone email me and tell me how? Or direct me to where I can locate the info ?



Thanks

You can't just use hand signals?

I'm guessing you could hook up some amber blinkies to a switch on your handlebars - shouldn't be too hard to do.

He could do that, but do you think anyone behind him is going to realize he has two blinkies and is just using one to signal he's about to turn? Just thinking like a driver for a minute, I'd see a blinky and just think that he's got one blinky. People aren't accustomed to turn signals on bikes; I'd stick to hand signals.

Agreed.

Furthermore, by not looking back and depending on those lights, you're asking for trouble. The motorist does not expect a blinking light on a bicycle to be understood as a turn signal.

I've seen cheap metal turn signal units at Thrifty Drugs in the 1980's. Maybe Kmart/Walmart/Target has some in their "Bicycle section". Not to disrespect you, but I do agree that they'll serve no real purpose other than to maybe give you a false sense of security. Might look cool on a chopper style kiddie bike though.

I don't want to discourage you from adding signals, but no one every seems to pay attention when I use 'em on my motorcycle. In fact, I had one lady yell at me for not using 'em. Then I realized she couldn't see the signals due to angle of sun or glare or something cuz I had them on and they were working.

For some reason, hand signals on any bike (motor or not) is so much more noticed. I have people give me a funny look when I signal with my hands. Seems like enough people don't understand what they mean, but it does get their attention and makes 'em stop to think. Their hamster is much slower than my bike

If you go with lighted signals, continue using your hands.

After a couple past experiences when I took one hand off the handlebar and crashed hard after hitting a rock or crack in the street (don't remember anymore) I don't do hand-signals anymore. Two hands on the bars at all times. YMMV

It should be pretty easy to work up something that's obviously a turn signal. You could probably modify some sort of motorcycle/moped turn signal, as well.

Down under we just stick our hand out and point to signal our intentions. Was easier to do on the tandem than on our singles, as my wife would generally signal. Try to imagine pedalling into a roundabout at speed, and sticking your right arm out as you lean into a hard right turn. Not as easy as it sounds, especially since we are all on the wrong (left) side over here.

None of you are answering his question. I personally don't care what his reasons are. The man wants turn signals, give him turn signals.

AllenBell, check your private messages, I sent you a link.

It wouldn't be bikeforums.net without the usual chorus of "Why would you want to do THAT? Everybody knows the Only True Way of doing XXXX is...."

I answered his question in my first post.

The premises of what is accepted by many as good cycling practice is legality, predictability and conspicuity (I think Vehicular Cycling principles are based on these).

Motorists do not expect a bike to be using turn indicators. Hand signals yes. Indicators no. That addresses the predictability part.

A hand held out to indicate a left or right turn is far more noticeable than any indicator light on a bike might be. That addresses the conspicuity part.

Bikes are not required to be equipped with turn indicators. That addresses the legality part.

Now, if you have a problem in removing a hand from the bars to indicate a turn, you may need to develop some more riding skills, which in turn develop confidence. Maybe both you and the original poster need to enrol in bike skills and handling courses. Then maybe you can post derogatory comments with some authority.

Thanks for the insult, jerk.

Just the response I expected. Usually from the uneducated.

I made my own turn signals and use them daily, but I still have concerns about how well drivers see and understand that they are turn signal lights. I use especially when stopped in traffic at lights when I am making a left turn and it is not a turn lane. If I am moving and I can hand signal safely, I will do that also.
LEDs used for turn signals
Pictures of the lights working.

If you are interested in reading more about home-built 'geek' lights, including turn lights, you can check out the Total Geekness thread sticky at the top of the commuting forum.

Just cuz you can do something, doesn't mean you should. If the OP has no experience with signals, then it's in his best interest to hear from people who have.

I think you should sew a lamp on each a$$ cheek of your shorts. Then, when you wanna turn, lift up off the seat, hit the switch for either lamp, then shake your arse in that direction....

Haha, owned..!

You probably want to mask your email unless you want to get spammed to the next planet.

I would feel awful if he got into an accident because these lights are barely visible during the day and look like blinkies at night. If the motorist hits him, those directional lights would mean very little in traffic court.

I know this is not an answer to the original poster's question but as a driver I almost never pay much attention to motorcycle turn sinals. I certainly am not going to view a blinky on a bicycle as a turn indicator.

I agree with Rowan, and more on the legality part ... according to the Manitoba (Canada) Highway Act ...

"Giving of signals generally

125(1) Subject to subsection (2), where a signal is required, a driver, or the operator of a bicycle or power-assisted bicycle, shall give it by means of

(a) his or her hand and arm; or

(b) a "stop" signal lamp or turning signal lamp, as the case requires, of the kind required or authorized under this Act to be carried; or

(c) a mechanical device of a type that has been approved by the traffic board.

Giving of signals where hand signals not visible

125(2) Where a vehicle is constructed or loaded in a manner that makes a signal by hand and arm not visible to both its front and rear, a driver shall give signals as provided in clause (1)(b) or (c).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hand signals

126(1) The driver of a left-hand drive motor vehicle or the operator of a bicycle, power-assisted bicycle, moped or mobility vehicle giving a hand signal shall do so from the left side of the vehicle and

(a) to signify a left turn, shall extend his or her left arm horizontally from the vehicle;

(b) to signify a right turn, shall extend his or her left arm from the vehicle with the upper arm horizontal and forearm pointing vertically upward; and

(c) to signify a stop or a decrease in speed, shall extend his or her left arm from the vehicle with the upper arm horizontal and forearm pointing vertically downward.

Right turns — bicycles and power-assisted bicycles

126(2) Despite subsection (1), the operator of a bicycle or power-assisted bicycle may signify a right turn by extending his or her right arm horizontally from the right side of the vehicle."


Therefore, if allenbell were cycling in Manitoba, unless the signal lights which he is considering attaching have been approved by the traffic board, they would be illegal. Before using such equipment, it would be a good idea to check your local traffic laws and see what the legalities are.

And I also agree with Rowan that if someone has some difficulties with taking one hand off the bicycle in order to signal, that person should consider taking a bicycle handling course. Your local cycling association will likely offer some in the early spring. Not only is it a good idea to feel comfortable removing one hand for signalling purposes, but it's also useful for things like grabbing your bottle to take a drink, eating an energy bar, wiping bugs out of your eyes, making adjustments to your clothing, stretching, and so on.

I have seen arrow shaped amber LED clusters for bicycle turn signals, which may work better than regular blinkies. They were like this unit but larger.

Great, another insulting snotty comment. Please do the following experiment for me: ride down the road at 30 MPH one-handed, start guzzling out of your water bottle, hit an unexpected rock, pot-hole or road warp at the same time, then tell me how smug you look with road-rash on your face. I've been riding on two wheels for about 30 years - I don't need lessons like some little kiddie. Rocks, sand, gravel, glass, cracks, car parts, potholes and those annoyingly invisible road warps are just a fact of bicycling life. Hitting them one-handed WILL throw you off balance, and riding one-handed makes it very difficult to recover. Even more so if you're trying to brake or turn at the time, though I can't imagine trying to brake one-handed under any circumstances. Been there, done that.

Damn, you must be pretty good to take a turn at 30mph in a situation where you'd want to use a turn signal.

How fast do y'all ride in a situation where you feel the need to signal?