Do you use hand signals when you bicycle?
By Uroborus
@Uroborus (908)
Canada
August 12, 2008 10:38am CST
I have been a motorist for many years, but I also commute to work on a bicycle. When I bicyle I am aware that, under the rules of the road, I am a vehicle. I make sure to let the other people sharing the road know what my intentions are, and so I use hand signals.
Many cyclist do not use hand signals, or follow the rules of the road very closely. I can see why motorist get upset at them Mind you, motorists do some pretty bad things when it comes to cyclist also. My favourite, as a cyclist, is when they just pretend that you are invisible. But some cyclists (emphasis on some) are on the wrong side of the road often, or think that red lights and stop sign are not meant for them. Many don't do this, but more do not use hand signals, even the ones that try to follow the other rules of the road.
So, if you bicycle, do you use hand signals? As a motorist, should the cyclist use hand signals?
2 responses
@academic2 (7000)
• Uganda
12 Aug 08
I use signals alot, it helps to clear alot of confusions at round abouts and it also help reduce accidents-I have ever seen people collide on bycicles because they didnt use their signals well!
@Uroborus (908)
• Canada
12 Aug 08
Yes, you also make another good point. The cyclist who use the wrong signals. They think they know them but seem to make it up. The one I see most often is the right turn signal. It's supposed to be done by bending your left arm upward, but many cyclist use stretching the right arm straight out.
@kaypow (68)
• Canada
6 Nov 11
I use hand signals if there are cars around me whose drivers might be unsure of my intentions. I know the signals pretty well, but I will usually change them (like stretching out my right arm, as you mentioned) because I am pretty sure that most motorists would not know what the actual signs meant. Also, it is hard to use hand signals because those who do usually get laughed at! Isn't it funny how people laugh at others who are trying to make the roads a little bit safer for everyone?
