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Bike turn signals5/26/2023 ![]() ![]() This tells the group that you are about to stop. If you need to hit the brakes and you are in front of your group, put your hand behind your back and make a fist.There are several signals that you should be aware of to protect yourself and your bike gang from harm (these all assume you are leading the group): These signals, just like the signals for cars, helps to ensure that there are no accidents and that everyone stays safe. While many people think of the main signals to turn or stop and leave it at that, there is a whole other layer of signaling when you’re riding with a group of other cyclists. It’s also a really good idea to teach bike riders what the signals are from cars so that riders can read drivers. While making turns or stops, it’s important to make eye contact with traffic around you so that everyone knows what the other person is doing. There are three turn signals to know: Source: Ī left turn is signaled by extending your left arm out sideways with all fingers extended or extending your left arm out sideways and then pointing your index finger to the left.Ī right turn is signaled by extending your left out sideways and then bending at the elbow at a ninety-degree angle so that your hand is pointing up and the palm of our hand should face out.Īn alternative right turn is signaled by extending your right arm straight out with all fingers extended or with your right arm straight out and your index finger pointing to the right.Īnd finally, a stop signal is shown by extending your left or right arm sideways and then bent down at the elbow at a ninety-degree angle with the palm of your hand facing out. In cases of emergencies, keep both hands on the handlebars and you will have to be very careful.Perform another shoulder check before making the turn (or the stop).Perform the hand signal that will tell others what you are doing.Just like driving a car, there is a proper order to signaling a turn or a stop: ![]() It’s important to signal well in advance of any turn you are going to make and whenever you are going to make a turn, not whenever you feel like it. SignallingĪs noted, bikes almost never come equipped with turn signal lights or stopping lights, so signaling intent to turn or stop falls on the rider. You will also likely have to practice riding in a straight line with only one hand on the handlebars since you will need to remove a hand in order to perform your signals.Įven if you have mirrors, you still have to perform regular shoulder checks, so make sure you’re always riding in a straight line!ĭo you know what are Bicycle Ticket Moving Violations? Check this article. Often when we shoulder check, the rest of our body (and subsequently our bike), turns with us and this means we are no longer as predictable to other drivers, cyclists or pedestrians. You should also practice cycling in a straight line even while looking over your shoulders to do a shoulder check. This gives you enough warning of what is coming to be able to react and riding in a straight line makes your actions far more predictable to those around you. The most important thing to do is to make sure you are riding in a straight line, head up, and looking ahead one to two blocks. It’s not precisely signals, but it’s important to understand how to ride in relation to traffic around you. While the brake light on my bike works automatically and reliably, with turn signals you have to have a wired or wireless connection, which is another potential failure point, especially if running to the rear or through areas with motion (my bike only has the one wire to the rear, and it's heavy-duty, but I check my taillight status every so often to make sure it's working.For the most part, cyclists learn these signals when they first learn how to ride, but if you need a refresher course, we have you covered! Riding Around Other Traffic I think that light was worth it for my riding, but I'm iffy on turn signals. In daylight it's not a huge deal, but at night, it's really noticeable. Even with a rear rack, it's still narrower than on a motorcycle for instance, and sometimes with the smaller ones of those it can be difficult to tell the direction indicated, especially from a distance.Īs for brake lights, I have the Busch & Müller Toplight Line Plus Brake wired dynamo taillight, and it has a brake-light function that works based on changes in the alternating-current frequency. The only real issue I could see with turn signals is how to make them spaced wide enough to be clearly visible and understood what they are. ![]()
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