Do you use hand signals while riding?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on January 5, 2015 at 1:38pm

A lot of my riding is in Beverly. Some drivers seem to understand hand signals (or at least if they're unsure). Others seem utterly clueless at first, but many of them appear to make the connection between signal and turn once I start turning.

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on January 5, 2015 at 1:38pm

Yep. Pretty much.

Tom Z said:

Florida has some of the worst drivers, so it's no surprise...
 

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Permalink Reply by paulcycles on January 5, 2015 at 3:20pm

I ride in and around Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Elmhurst (usually with the Elmhurst Bike Club) &

DT Chicago on a myriad of streets, pahts, & the occasional alley.

I'm pretty short (5'5" & shrinking) & old (62 yrs in Chicago & Points N), SO I HIGHLY

recommend to SIGNAL using your R arm to go Right &

L arm to go Left.

Not signalling or in another blob- just using your cold Jimmy ain't polite.

I guess I signal 40-99% of my 2015 rides so far.

Less when alone on a path or deserted street;

more, much more in ALL kinds of traffic (bike, peds, & motor).

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Permalink Reply by Marc A. Irwin on January 5, 2015 at 6:11pm

Where is not an issue.  It seems that drivers just don't understand when a cyclist signals.  Recently I signaled a left turn as I approached an intersection,  three people in a stopped car, followed my handwith their eyes,  stared and looked directly where I pointed.  That was that.  If you say "on your left," that's where they go.

Anne Alt said:

A lot of my riding is in Beverly. Some drivers seem to understand hand signals (or at least if they're unsure). Others seem utterly clueless at first, but many of them appear to make the connection between signal and turn once I start turning.

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Permalink Reply by Irvin Steinert on January 6, 2015 at 8:06am

I do use hand signals.

I came up with this one:

I will first point to myself (or put my hand on helmet) in a exaggerated fashion and then point to where I intend to go.

I often do this at stoplights (I actually stop and wait for the signals) when I intend to go straight forward. That seems to get the point across that my intention is to go when the light changes and not yield the right of way to cars simply because they are cars. (this is probably more necessary in the suburbs because bike traffic is still not very common - especially of the modern rule following variety)

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Permalink Reply by Irvin Steinert on January 6, 2015 at 8:12am

I've had people in their front yards look at me like "why is that guy pointing at me?".

Marc A. Irwin said:

Where is not an issue.  It seems that drivers just don't understand when a cyclist signals.  Recently I signaled a left turn as I approached an intersection,  three people in a stopped car, followed my handwith their eyes,  stared and looked directly where I pointed.  That was that.  If you say "on your left," that's where they go.

Anne Alt said:

A lot of my riding is in Beverly. Some drivers seem to understand hand signals (or at least if they're unsure). Others seem utterly clueless at first, but many of them appear to make the connection between signal and turn once I start turning.

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Permalink Reply by Tricolor on January 6, 2015 at 10:02am

I really only do it when there's traffic around me.  Strangely even downtown in the mornings it's rarely heavy enough that I need to worry about it.  I point left or right with the appropriate arm; the left arm "right turn" sign was designed to be used by people in cars without turn signals and isn't taught very thoroughly to drivers so it's a bit confusing.

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Permalink Reply by pat 5.5mi on January 6, 2015 at 10:12am

The trouble with only signaling when traffic is around is that using signals is most beneficial for YOU the signaler when there are people around that you don't know about.  

Tricolor said:

"I really only do it when there's traffic around me."  

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Permalink Reply by pat 5.5mi on January 6, 2015 at 10:17am

I 'try' to signal all turns or lane changes.  I signal slowing down very rarely.  One instance I can remember was when I knew something was coming and it may not have been expected to others.  There was a short stretch of grooved surface on SB Halsted a couple months ago just south of Chicago (it was only 10 feet or so, but it spanned the whole roadway).  I didn't want cars bombing down the hill to run me over when I slowed to go through it at a crawl.

Does anyone use the 'slowing down' signal habitually?

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Permalink Reply by David Altenburg on January 6, 2015 at 10:34am

I use it when coming to a stop at lights that cyclists frequently run. (e.g., Milwaukee/Grand/Halsted) so that I don't get hit from behind by another cyclist.

pat 5.5mi said:

Does anyone use the 'slowing down' signal habitually?

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Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on January 6, 2015 at 10:38am

I use the slow down/stop when I have riders behind me. I also try to signal potholes because those are just no fun. 

David Altenburg said:

I use it when coming to a stop at lights that cyclists frequently run. (e.g., Milwaukee/Grand/Halsted) so that I don't get hit from behind by another cyclist.

pat 5.5mi said:

Does anyone use the 'slowing down' signal habitually?

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on January 6, 2015 at 4:37pm

I've used that successfully with CTA bus drivers on more than one occasion.
 
Irvin Steinert said:

I do use hand signals.

I came up with this one:

I will first point to myself (or put my hand on helmet) in a exaggerated fashion and then point to where I intend to go.

I often do this at stoplights (I actually stop and wait for the signals) when I intend to go straight forward. That seems to get the point across that my intention is to go when the light changes and not yield the right of way to cars simply because they are cars. (this is probably more necessary in the suburbs because bike traffic is still not very common - especially of the modern rule following variety)

• ▶ Reply

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