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)
OR
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."
Copyright, 2017, 1981 to 2017. Watrous' Cycling Enterprises