practical

While riding with friends the other day, the talk turned to signals and announcements such as saying "slowing, stopping" or signalling debris on the road, etc. I said to the group, "I don't care if you ever say or give me a signal or not. I'm going to ride behind you in a way that no matter what you do, I can stop or adjust. I appreciate the courtesies, but if I rely on them, then I'm not biking safely." Some thought I was being anti-signalling (I'm not) but if the person depends on signals, then they're a bad biker. I pay attention to the bikers in front of me. I can see when they're slowing or stopping or turning. And if they do something unpredictable or unexpected, then I have time and room to adjust. I guess if you're riding in a tight group, then signals are more important; but my response to that is don't to ride in a tight group - give people space. I do recommend announcing yourself when passing ("On your left"). My point is that it is much more important to emphasize how to safely ride behind other bikers.

Colnago Mixte

I have noticed often on group rides, at the beginning, people are pointing out ever tiny pebble, but a few hours into the ride, no one is pointing out anything. So these warnings are rarely consistent, and should not be relied upon exclusively. Common sense should always prevail at all times.

I do know that the worst crash I ever had was in a paceline, on a fast ride, where someone failed to point out a 2" by 2" rock in the road, which was just big enough to knock my hands off the bars and take me down at 25 mph, without even the opportunity to brake first. That hurt a lot.

I try not to rely too much on other people to point stuff out, but in hindsight, I really wish someone had called out that rock for me.

wphamilton

As a mostly solo rider, I see where you're coming from. I tend to have already noticed whatever they're pointing out, and sometimes it's so minor that I don't even care. But from their perspective, they want everyone in the group to be on the same page, and able to react to it in a smooth and predictable manner. That's even more true for a tight pace line.

AlmostTrick

I'm with you. I'm responsible for my own safety, and will never rely on info from others. Don't tell me an intersection is "clear" or that there's a "car back". I'm not going to ride through without seeing it's clear for myself, and I see cars behind me in my mirror long before anyone calls it out. And so what? Sometimes when there is a car back I want to maintain my position in the lane.

I do ride in groups, but not tight pacelines. That's an unnecessary risk that I will not take. If paceline riders like calling everything out and relying on others, that's there choice.

Milton Keynes

I think it's common courtesy to point out hazards on a trail or in the roadway. But yes, I agree, I'm still going to keep my eyes & ears open to all hazards regardless. However, I do appreciate it when someone points out a possible hazard that I may not have noticed.

SylvainG

If your group is drafting though, signaling could prevent a crash...

AlmostTrick

True. Because drafting increases risk of a crash.

practical

We sometimes draft but only when biking into the wind and our speed is around 10-12 mph (or slower).