A Good Set of Distinct Bicycle Hand Signals

DID YOU KNOW??

Dr. James Allen Watrous, Ph.D.

Are there a good set of distinct hand signals for communication to automobiles and other riders in a group riding situation? I have found that the following set of distinct hand signals work the best with for clear communications.

BICYCLING HAND SIGNALS

The following is set of uniform hand signals for bicyclists. The first set of hand signals are for general traffic patterns regardless of whether other bicyclists are present or not. The second set of hand signals are for group riding or pace lines.

LEFT TURN

RIGHT TURN (best signal)

RIGHT TURN (not as good as the above signal)

SLOWING OR STOPPING USING THE LEFT HAND.

Palm of your hand held facing back toward traffic,
other riders behind you, and out from the side of your body.

SLOWING OR STOPPING USING THE RIGHT HAND.

Palm of your hand held facing back toward traffic,
other riders behind you, and out from the side of your body.

RAIL ROAD CROSSING

Use your right arm to warn others that a railroad crossing is ahead. Swing your forearm away from and toward your body like a swing arm (or like broken arm). Palm of your hand held facing back toward traffic and other riders behind you.

RAIL ROAD CROSSING

Use your left arm to warn others that a railroad crossing is ahead. Swing your forearm away from and toward your body like a swing arm (or like broken arm). Palm of your hand held facing back toward traffic and other riders behind you.

HAND SIGNALS FOR GROUP RIDING AND PACE LINES

LEAVING THE FRONT OF THE PACE LINE
AND MOVING TO THE RIGHT

Hold your upper arm at shoulder level with your forearm bent, so that your hand is against the side of your body. This forms an arrow pointing to the right. Hold this signal for two to three seconds to give the rider directly behind you time to prepare to take the lead of the pace line.

LEAVING THE FRONT OF THE PACE LINE
AND MOVING TO THE LEFT

Hold your upper arm at shoulder level with your forearm bent, so that your hand is against the side of your body. This forms an arrow pointing to the left. Hold this signal for two to three seconds to give the rider directly behind you time to prepare to take the lead of the pace line.

POTHOLES OR DEBRIS ON THE LEFT SIDE

Left hand held out and moved around in a circular pattern with the palm of your hand held down toward the street. The left hand can be held out and moved in a front to back swinging motion to signal a long stretch of problems parallel to the direction of travel.

POTHOLES OR DEBRIS ON THE RIGHT SIDE

Right hand held out and moved around in a circular pattern with the palm of your hand held down toward the street. The right hand can be held out and moved in a front to back swinging motion to signal a long stretch of problems parallel to the direction of travel.

LEFT ARM AND HAND HELD UP AND OUT TO SIGNAL THAT BICYCLISTS, RUNNERS, SKATERS OR VEHICLES ARE ON THE LEFT

They are approaching, parked or traveling in the same direction at a slower speed. The palm of your hand is held facing forward.

RIGHT ARM AND HAND HELD UP AND OUT TO SIGNAL THAT
BICYCLISTS, RUNNERS, SKATERS OR VEHICLES ARE ON THE RIGHT

They are either traveling in the same direction at a slower speed, parked or approaching. The palm of your hand is held facing forward.

When ever you pass slower riders, runners or skaters, etc., sound out that you are "PASSING ON YOUR LEFT" IN A LOUD VOICE. In some rare cases, you will pass them on their right. Sound out in a loud voice that you are "PASSING ON YOUR RIGHT."