bryroth

I'm just curious. Up until recently, I was using the old-school way of signaling a right-hand turn.



Now I use the hip, new version of the right-hand signal.



Anyone out there still use the original and, I assume, correct way of signaling?

dkoernert

I usually do the "hip new version"

urbanknight

Based on conversations I've had, it seems that even motorists with a driver's license do not know the "correct" hand signals, so I tend to use the right hand as drivers intuitively know what that means.

mustachiod

i have not seen this hip new version

MajorMantra

I very much doubt anyone on the road here in the UK would recognise anything other than the 'hip new version' (though I guess it would be opposite anyway, if you see what I mean).

rooftest

I use the second version. The "orange jacket guy" in the first photo looks like he's threatening someone - not signaling.

kbtommy

I actually posited this question to a group of non-riders recently and discovered that, apparently, most drivers think that when you do it the old way, they think you're trying to tell them to slow down. So yeah, I use my right hand.

carpediemracing 

The "original" version looks too much like the rider is giving a "eff you". I use my right hand.

Since cyclists aren't constrained by clutches or car interiors (try signaling the "hip new way" in an old car with no turn signals while driving at night - you'll quickly see how the "original" came to be), the hip new way works.

cdr

StephenH

I'm not aware that you're supposed to make a fist for the signal, anyway. But yeah, the days of doing hand signals from a car pretty much ended before i was born, and I'm not young.

Even with the right-hand version, I remember one time where I signaled a turn, and the car that was about to pull out of the street interpreted my sign to mean they were to back up and did so.

simonaway427

Definitely the right hand hip version it's way more intuitive and obvious to the motorist

Metzinger

I do it with my right, but take it beyond hip. I make it like a gang-sign.

Seriously, the Model-T way always reminds me of movie characters like Officer Dan, signalling the troops behind to hold up.

roadiejorge 

Exactly. Using the right hand to point where you're going spares a lot of confusion.

Homebrew01

I was riding with someone last year who did a very lame version of the old school right turn signal, and hardly had a bend in his elbow. We thought he was signaling left, and one guy started to pass on the right .... until the guy right-turned into him causing a slow speed crash. I prefer clarity over correctness sometimes.

darkadious

the only reason drivers are meant to use the "old-school" version is because their hand won't reach outside of the passangers window.

use your right hand, people will understand it.

ptle

I use my right hand unless I'm in a group ride... then I usually use both. This is because most drivers don't know the actual correct hand signals. I usually point and kind of shake my hand to get their attention. I'm hoping drivers can understand what you mean when you point.

Steve in MA

+1

No need to interpret the hand signal if you just point in the direction you intend to go.

DScott

I'm the only one that signals a turn by, um, turning? I learned that from drivers around here who put on their turn signal as they entered the turn. It's more of a verification of the turn, than an effort to signal intention.

It reminds me of the toddler who wants to bring you to the toilet so they can proudly show you what they've just done.

Frankentank

If I remember correctly from the bike education class decades ago in elementary school, they said that the left arm signal might fall into a blind spot for the motorist - depending on where the auto was in relation to the cyclist. Nonetheless, I use the right arm, right turn signal because its more intuitive and because it looks less like a wave (I point in the direction of the turn, versus the open palm shown). Even with that, living in a small town at least half the motorists wave back at me.

kbtommy

Well, at least they're being friendly!

dstrong 

I started using the right hand version a couple of months ago after using a variation of the left hand (with palm open facing forward) version for most of my life. The picture showing the left hand version needs a caption..."Right on, bro!"

Hot Potato

Not enough range of motion in my left arm in the riding position for the "classic" signal for pre-blinker autos.

rumrunn6

I like to throw them for a loop by farting to the left then turning right

stien

Old school way, more comfortable with taking my left off the bars than my right.

Daytrip

It's been a few decades since I've done the Black Power Solidarity Salute. I think that went out of fashion along with the Revolutionary Drug Brothers Handshake.

That dude in the second photo is pretty hip with those jeans, bar-end shifters, white tape, drops, rack and reflector.

At least he's got the turn signal thing right.

DieselDan

Right hand for right turn signal legal in South Carolina as of June 1, 2009.