Hand Signal Nightmares

[madisongrrl]

Well...I really hope you don't wind up in court, and worse...being scraped up off the road because the driver who mowed you down didn't know what you were pointing at. Bad news, either way.

Sorry...I have a thing about road safety; I've seen too many cyclists get reall, really dead because they and/or the driver didn't understand one another and their legal responsibilities while sharing the road. The cyclist always loses. Be safe.

If I have to get scraped up off the road it won't be because I used an illegal hand signal.... It will be because some motorist was not paying attention. They were eating their McDonalds or fumbling with their IPOD or talking on their cell phones. I used to use legal hand signals, but people here in Madison, WI just don't seem to understand them. Now, I make eye contact with motorists and point to where I'm turning. I think it is safer.

After all, (in WI) all you have to do is take a written test to get your license when you turn 16. You never have to revisit the rules of the road to renew your license. People don't even know the rules of the road or heed them when driving, let alone know anything about hand signals that they never use and rarely see. I think driving skills have sunk to an all time low.

[Aint Doody]

You are absolutely right Geonz--they both knew perfectly well that I was indicating a right turn. I think they also both knew that they were wrong but were blaming me for their stupidity. That is sorta a "man thing" in a lot of cases. I'm not aiming for male bashing here--just pointing out something that I understand from being married for over 30 years--to 3 different men!

[snowbear]

What about pointing with your right arm, signaling with your left, and biking with no hands?
...yeah, not helpful, sorry.

Useful information to know, though. Thanks!

[DirtDiva]

Or maybe a grab a couple of flags out of your pack and do some semaphore...

It's not an issue in NZ. You stick out your arm in the direction you want to go. I got my learner licence over a decade ago and there was nothing in the theory about making hand signals; if your car (or trailer) doesn't have functioning indicators, it's not considered roadworthy.

Not really sure what the rules are in the UK, but arm out works just fine.