Signaling - Isn't there a better way?

DeceptivCadence

I've never understood signaling as a cyclist. Maybe I'm just crazy, or too new to cycling, but I have a number of issues with it, mostly safety issues.

1. I remember, on more than one driving occasion (before I got into cycling), seeing a cyclist riding in the road (all too rare, unfortunately) and sticking his left arm out and extending his forearm up (for a right-turn signal). I had learned the hand signals LONG ago, but since I never used them myself and I very rarely saw cyclists on the road, I couldn't remember what that signal meant. I knew it was either "left-turn", "right-turn", or "stop", but I honestly had no clue what it meant. Now that I'm a cyclist, I know the difference, but I can't help but wonder if I'm just confusing motorists more than I'm helping them. Seriously, I bet a LOT of motorists don't know these things and they probably don't care. They've got turn signals and can't remember hand signals because they don't use them and don't see them often enough.
2. We only signal for turns and stops, both of which require braking, and braking requires hands. I've never understood the "stop" signal, especially, because of that. Sure, you can brake with one hand, but I learned that the best braking technique (and "best" hopefully means "safest") is to squeeze your front-brake about 3 times as hard as your rear brake, which obviously requires the use of both hands. Isn't signaling just making things more unsafe? Couldn't someone make a rear light that comes on when you squeeze the brakes? How often are you supposed to actually use the "stop" signal?
3. I just bought my first road bike less than a week ago (been using a MTB on road for a while). Not quite used to the bent-over position (although I like it so far!). How the heck do you signal without falling face forward? So much more of my weight is placed on the handlebars that it seems impossible. I guess I just need a bit of practice...

If I had things my way (disclaimer: I am not actually recommending that anyone DO this), then everyone would signal using their heads or something. You know, bop your head to the left several times to signal left. Bop to the right to signal right. Hopefully that wouldn't throw your balance off completely! And, like I said, brake-lights would be nice... (even if you get labeled as a Fred, at least you might be less likely to end up in the ER).

Laterider1958

Have wondered about this myself. Our road rules for cyclists are fairly simple - extend left arm out to indicate lefthand turn, right arm extension indicates righthand turn, and arm held up with elbow 90 deg means stop.

As a driver, I have observed that very few cyclists seem to indicate their intent, although I am usually able to read their intentions by road positon and body language, I do drive near them with caution, giving them lots of space. As a cyclist, I do indicate my intentions. The stop signal is a difficult one, as bike safety comes into play when braking. I find that I am less in control when having one hand on the bar - perhaps I will gain more confidence with experience (I'm a novice).

Here's a question......would it be legal and/or possible to put indicator lights on a bicycle? I realise that a bike is not very wide and therefore it may be harder for motorists to determine which one is being used, but motorcycles have them. Extra weight may also be an issue, but a small button arrangement with wire connecting would not weigh a great deal. It may have already be invented - don't know. Would be interested to hear about it if available already.

Here's another question........how do cyclists with disabilities (and there are some) manage safe bicycle handling while signalling? Some kind of mechanical/electrical indicator would be helpful to them.

e0richt

you are right about the left and right turn signs. point left to show a left turn and point right to show a right turn... the slow/stop signal is more useful for when you are in a group ride and you want to signal to them... normally you are going to slow for a car to care if you are coming to a stop or slowing down... (maybe if you have taken a lane such that the car is "stuck" behind you the signal would be useful...)

about turn signals... I had brought that up in an earlier thread but the consensus was that they aren't needed and you couldn't depend on a motorist seeing them...

poweredbysweat

I use the turn signals, but I don't use any stop signal. I usually just check my mirrors and pull over. I think the STOP signal would confuse more than it would help any situation.

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SEAcarlessTTLE

...I rarely signal stops, mostly for the hands-on-the-levers reasons posted above. Around these parts, the law says cyclists don't have to signal if it's necessary to keep hands on the bars for safety.

I do, however, try to signal turns and lane changes and almost always opt for right arm extension rather than the right-angle bend on the left arm, since it might also confuse drivers. At the same time, I find that most confused drivers (after seeing a signal) tend to slow a bit, which is a welcome gesture.

jfellrath

I use the left hand-turning left and right hand-turning right schema myself. One thing I have noticed, though, is that no matter what I signal, the cars around me tend to slow down when I signal. I guess they don't know what I'm doing so they just slow down to cover any thing I might do.

I agree with the folks who'd like to see bike blinkers, but I don't see that happening any time soon. It's hard enough to get people to use bike lights much less blinkers.

Fatherzen

I disagree with signalling right turn by pointing right with right hand. Although I am not saying that I think all motorists watch for hand signals, if the motorist is educated and knows the hand signals they are expecting you to use left hand for your signals. By using your left hand I think that you are more likely to have your signal seen and understood.

I have my bike set up with my front brake lever on the right hand side so I can be braking with my right hand while signalling with my left hand. When I am riding at night I wear red flashing led lights on my wrists so my hand signals are likely to be seen.

velomane

I too signal left and right with left and right arm respectively. The reason for the right angle bend on the left arm is simply because it would be pointless for a motorist to use his right arm- it wouldn't be visible to anyone. Our local highway code recognizes this and allows cyclists to use either arm to signal a right turn. Furthermore, I try to reinforce my intentions by not only extending my arm, I also point with my index finger. Does anyone else do this?

As for stopping, I'd rather have both hands on the levers. As someone else mentioned, some highway codes exempt signalling where safety would be compromised.

sogood

How about this light you can put on your wrist and auto activates when you move your arm up?

http://www.safeturn.com/

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SEAcarlessTTLE

I usually shake my hand to emphasize the intention to turn. Also, although my current habit is to signal right turns with my right arm, I used to signal with the bent left arm and point my thumb at my head, to reinforce the intention to turn right.

Meanwhile, that product looks pretty cool, sogood. Thanks for the link.

jfellrath

I would agree with you except for one issue: if a driver does NOT know the hand signals, then the left arm/right arm signals are a bit more intuitive. If they do know the signals, then the left arm/right arm signals are STILL more intuitive. Holding your left arm up like that looks a little too much like waving, IMHO.

I like the idea of attaching lights to the hands, though. Reflective clothing can also aid in this - I cringe when I see cyclists riding around at night with just a reflective vest on over a black jacket (for some reason, they seem to be de rigeur for cyclists).

wishes

Ive had a look into this and this is what ive found so far ..
http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk...e-light-set.asp

Actually now i think about it, it would be pretty easy to make your own

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e0richt

I have noticed that the signal lights that are available commercially, are kind of short in length. I wonder why they don't have the lights set on a aerodynamic "blade" that would go for about 8 to 12 inches so that it would make it more like a motorcycle light setup... and if they are good led type of lights, I would think it would be better than arm signaling because you could keep your hands on the bike rather than having to balance using one arm...

SEAcarlessTTLE

I was just thinking, though, that unless you have signal lights in the front, too, hand signals have the advantage of being visible in both directions. Seems like there are plenty of circumstances where signaling intentions to vehicles in front of you is key...