hand signals...
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hand signals...
Actually made a right hand turn signal the other morning and I was thinking, what are the chances that that four wheeler behind me that I spotted in my take-a-look understood it? lol. Two to one against? Worst?
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Understanding a left turn signal is more important since it indicates you are moving left in front of him.
A right turn signal means you are turning right out of his way (unless, he’s making a right turn too).
Not understanding a right turn signal leaves him expecting you’ll be where you are.
A right turn signal means you are turning right out of his way (unless, he’s making a right turn too).
Not understanding a right turn signal leaves him expecting you’ll be where you are.
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I remember a discussion here a few years ago about signaling right hand turns with a crooked left arm vs. a straight right arm pointing in the direction of the turn. My left arm goes up out of habit, but I think pointing in the direction of the turn may work better these days.
I used to follow the mantra "ride like you are invisible", but a motorcycle friend said he rides like he is visible and everyone is trying to kill him. That is what I do now.
Anyway, points for biking with a mirror, and using my favorite...the take-a-look.
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So what? Do you think every cyclist behind you noticed?
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To understand your hand signal, the driver must first be paying attention. (lol)
I remember a discussion here a few years ago about signaling right hand turns with a crooked left arm vs. a straight right arm pointing in the direction of the turn. My left arm goes up out of habit, but I think pointing in the direction of the turn may work better these days.
I used to follow the mantra "ride like you are invisible", but a motorcycle friend said he rides like he is visible and everyone is trying to kill him. That is what I do now.
Anyway, points for biking with a mirror, and using my favorite...the take-a-look.
I remember a discussion here a few years ago about signaling right hand turns with a crooked left arm vs. a straight right arm pointing in the direction of the turn. My left arm goes up out of habit, but I think pointing in the direction of the turn may work better these days.
I used to follow the mantra "ride like you are invisible", but a motorcycle friend said he rides like he is visible and everyone is trying to kill him. That is what I do now.
Anyway, points for biking with a mirror, and using my favorite...the take-a-look.
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One point mentioned here is that who ever is behind you has to be paying attention.
Then forget the car centric hand signals. If turning left turn put your left arm out straight, and for a right turn put your right arm out straight. People will understand if watching.
Then forget the car centric hand signals. If turning left turn put your left arm out straight, and for a right turn put your right arm out straight. People will understand if watching.
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That's really a good point--if, as a driver, I'm in a position where I can't see a right arm signal, I really don't care if you turn right, it's just going to take you further out of my path.
#8
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When is the last time you saw a driver use the old hand signals to announce a turn? Probably not since they invented turn signals and AC. They may be mentioned in the DMV rule book but I doubt if the average driver today even knows what they mean or has ever used them.
The arm pointing straight to the right or left clearly indicates the intention of the cyclist and (hopefully) would be easily understood by the driver.
The arm pointing straight to the right or left clearly indicates the intention of the cyclist and (hopefully) would be easily understood by the driver.
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I find signaling with the right arm out straight to be more intuitive to drivers, and believe it has been codified into law in most states.
Also, signaling right doesn't always mean "moving out of the path of traffic". There are situations where I am signaling to merge right into another lane, where there may be traffic approaching from behind.
Also, signaling right doesn't always mean "moving out of the path of traffic". There are situations where I am signaling to merge right into another lane, where there may be traffic approaching from behind.
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I find signaling with the right arm out straight to be more intuitive to drivers, and believe it has been codified into law in most states.
Also, signaling right doesn't always mean moving out of the way of traffic. There are situations where I am signaling to merge right into another lane, where there may be traffic approaching from behind.
Also, signaling right doesn't always mean moving out of the way of traffic. There are situations where I am signaling to merge right into another lane, where there may be traffic approaching from behind.
If I'm all the way to the right of the road, I don't bother signalling right turns at all.
Does anyone actually use the stop signal? I didn't even realize there was one until recently.
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I find signaling with the right arm out straight to be more intuitive to drivers, and believe it has been codified into law in most states.
Also, signaling right doesn't always mean "moving out of the path of traffic". There are situations where I am signaling to merge right into another lane, where there may be traffic approaching from behind.
Also, signaling right doesn't always mean "moving out of the path of traffic". There are situations where I am signaling to merge right into another lane, where there may be traffic approaching from behind.
Now, bicyclists are allowed in many areas to use their right arm straight out to the right side to indicate a right turn.
I too wonder just how many drivers no what hand signals mean.
Cheers
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The crooked left arm was used because no one had a right arm long enough to reach from the driver's seat to the and through the passenger window. LOL
Now, bicyclists are allowed in many areas to use their right arm straight out to the right side to indicate a right turn.
I too wonder just how many drivers no what hand signals mean.
Cheers
Now, bicyclists are allowed in many areas to use their right arm straight out to the right side to indicate a right turn.
I too wonder just how many drivers no what hand signals mean.
Cheers
Hey, that left-handed guy is swearing to tell the truth!
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#13
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I stick my arm out & following car lets me turn to the left in a drive right country
You want a Las Vegas bookie to give you the odds. got money down ., on the outcome"?
Two to one against? Worst?
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If I'm using the full lane and a driver is behind me I believe it's not only courteous to signal, but it makes it less likely they'll attempt a risky pass when they realize they only have to hold their pants on for another few seconds.
Does anyone actually use the stop signal? I didn't even realize there was one until recently.
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Often that makes sense. If there is someone waiting to pull out and my signaling would allow them to safely do so, I will do it as a courtesy. Otherwise they have to wait, only to say "Nice signal AH!" once they see me turn. I try to be a courteous cyclist.
If I'm using the full lane and a driver is behind me I believe it's not only courteous to signal, but it makes it less likely they'll attempt a risky pass when they realize they only have to hold their pants on for another few seconds.
.
If I'm using the full lane and a driver is behind me I believe it's not only courteous to signal, but it makes it less likely they'll attempt a risky pass when they realize they only have to hold their pants on for another few seconds.
.
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Also not sure if I've ever been in a situation where someone was waiting to pull out right where I was taking a right hand turn. That'd have to be a very weird road layout.
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I use the stop signal when approaching a 4way as it usually prevents an earlier x-traffic driver from waiting to be sure I am stopping and gets everyone through faster. I'll use my right arm/hand for the stop signal if the x-driver is at my right so they see it better. Since I started doing this ~10yr ago it has made 4ways much smoother.
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Anywhere the lane wasn't wide enough to safely share and there is traffic in the other lane.
Seriously, this can happen at every intersection and drive. If you're going straight across their path, they have to wait. (or run you over) If you signal a right, they now know you will NOT be crossing their path and can go. Safety and courtesy!
Seriously, this can happen at every intersection and drive. If you're going straight across their path, they have to wait. (or run you over) If you signal a right, they now know you will NOT be crossing their path and can go. Safety and courtesy!
Still don't buy it. It's a lot easier to do an efficient turn with both hands on the bars, so by the time they would have seen my signal I can just turn. Safe, courteous and efficient. Signalling is just going to slow down the turn for no good end.
And, as to the first scenario, I'm pretty sure I've moved from the center of that lane to the right before I got to the corner, I can imagine a lane so narrow that I couldn't do this, but I don't think I've encountered one in the wild. Maybe a badly placed crack in the pavement.
Last edited by livedarklions; 08-17-20 at 02:28 PM.
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I use the stop signal when approaching a 4way as it usually prevents an earlier x-traffic driver from waiting to be sure I am stopping and gets everyone through faster. I'll use my right arm/hand for the stop signal if the x-driver is at my right so they see it better. Since I started doing this ~10yr ago it has made 4ways much smoother.
I'm pretty sure your method wouldn't work around here, but it sounds like it does where you ride.
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Beyond indicating which way you are turning, a hand signal may also indicate that you are about to start slowing. If you are taking a left and must wait for oncoming traffic, a left turn signal may also mean you are going to slow then stop. When I am driving and my turn will involve slowing, I always give my signal a few seconds before I brake. Just a little advanced notice if you will.
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Not sure what unique situations you have where you live but this works equally well in AZ, CA TX, VT and MA in my experience - especially if I am in left side of lane where you are most visible to others. It basically lets other drivers know you intend to follow the law and not assume you will blow through like some other cyclists tend to do.
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If I am in a situation where I must stop because another vehicle arrived before me I put foot down. But if one other vehicle is already stopped and should be ready to go I signal my stop so they go instead of waiting for me to put foot down. Then I can briefly pause and go.
Not sure what unique situations you have where you live but this works equally well in AZ, CA TX, VT and MA in my experience - especially if I am in left side of lane where you are most visible to others. It basically lets other drivers know you intend to follow the law and not assume you will blow through like some other cyclists tend to do.
Not sure what unique situations you have where you live but this works equally well in AZ, CA TX, VT and MA in my experience - especially if I am in left side of lane where you are most visible to others. It basically lets other drivers know you intend to follow the law and not assume you will blow through like some other cyclists tend to do.
I'm in NH. I've ridden many, many miles in a lot of places (MN, CA, MA, NOLA), but the drivers here are complete knuckleheads who can't figure out the easiest signals. Like I've said, I'm really fast at putting my feet down, so it takes me about the same amount of time as it would to stick my arm out and bend it down.
FWIW, I just had a driver here speed up to try to force me back out of a lane I had just merged into to take a left-hand turn. He was a half block back when I signalled the lane change, which apparently he took as a challenge. Even for NH, that was amazingly aggressive.
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Oh, you are blaming it on assuming what others will do without even trying - sorry you may too stubborn to even try.
Anyway this is a hand signal that gives cautious drivers confidence to proceed while I am still moving toward the intersection and those are the types that are most responsive to communication.. An aggressive driver wouldn't even be waiting for a cyclist to slow let alone signal. I also wouldn't want to unclip and put a foot down while still moving.
It is also useful to let the drivers behind me know I am slowing and preparing to stop for the 4 way stop.
(Yeah I've cycled into NH from VT a few time, but not far to Keene and the area. Didn't notice any difference in responsiveness to my signals.)
Anyway this is a hand signal that gives cautious drivers confidence to proceed while I am still moving toward the intersection and those are the types that are most responsive to communication.. An aggressive driver wouldn't even be waiting for a cyclist to slow let alone signal. I also wouldn't want to unclip and put a foot down while still moving.
It is also useful to let the drivers behind me know I am slowing and preparing to stop for the 4 way stop.
(Yeah I've cycled into NH from VT a few time, but not far to Keene and the area. Didn't notice any difference in responsiveness to my signals.)
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When is the last time you saw a driver use the old hand signals to announce a turn? Probably not since they invented turn signals and AC. They may be mentioned in the DMV rule book but I doubt if the average driver today even knows what they mean or has ever used them.
The arm pointing straight to the right or left clearly indicates the intention of the cyclist and (hopefully) would be easily understood by the driver.
The arm pointing straight to the right or left clearly indicates the intention of the cyclist and (hopefully) would be easily understood by the driver.
The thing I don't like about using my right hand to signal a turn is because it leaves me with only a front brake, which is not where I want to be if I need to come to a sudden stop. I just do it with my left hand very demonstratively. Arm goes out, hand goes up in a crisp motion. But left-signaling is more important, obviously.
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I use the stop signal when approaching a 4way as it usually prevents an earlier x-traffic driver from waiting to be sure I am stopping and gets everyone through faster. I'll use my right arm/hand for the stop signal if the x-driver is at my right so they see it better. Since I started doing this ~10yr ago it has made 4ways much smoother.
Yes, driver at almost any driveway or intersection wants to pull out onto a road I'm on. If I make it clear by signaling that I'm turning, they can proceed. If I don't, they'll need to wait to see what I'm going to do.