Mixed Signals

When you’re on a bike it helps to communicate where you’re going. At first it may seem weird, especially if you’ve never seen anyone signal before. This was the case when I started biking. But I gave it a shot. At first I stuck to the basics: “right” and “left.” I started with the most textbook versions.

Left

Then I realized it was much more nuanced- it was about using body language. Even the littlest gesture said something.  I could mix it up depending on the situation. I could convey urgency, scale it up or down, even completely change it up sometimes….

Right

You can even get creative and make your own signals. Though, everything you do becomes signal of some sort…

mixed

But once you get over the awkwardness of hand signals- it’s a relief to have more in your commuter vocabulary than “right,” “left,” and “honk.”

 

 

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26 comments

  • Doug D June 21, 2012  

    In fact, not only do i see folks use the “fancy right” signal for turning left, but it was one of the questions that less than half of the people holding Alberta driving licences could answer.
    I like to mime throwing a rock as the signal for “please give me more room”

  • Chris June 21, 2012  

    Awesome post. Thanks for the inspiration for commuting in Arcata, CA !!!!!

    I’ve been lightly trying to use signals. It is a little awkward. Though your ideas sit with me well. Good times……

  • Carl June 21, 2012  

    I grew up with the left arm at 90 degrees meaning a right turn . . . sometime when I was napping my state allowed using the right arm to signal a right turn (since these were developed for drivers, of course the right arm can’t be seen inside the car). I have a hard time getting used to it, but it seems to confuse people less.

    The subtlest signal can work . . . if a driver is hanging just behind me, a quick turn of the head to let him know I know he’s there usually gives him the okay to pass. (Amazingly, there are people who want to pass me safely.)

    The non-standard signal I use most often is pointing (jabbing, really) into the travel lane, meaning “something is in my way and I’m coming out into the road.” Seems to work.

  • Marge June 21, 2012  

    loved it! “releasing a foul odor”” and girl with the cigarette…..

  • Wendy June 21, 2012  

    I tend to just use extended left arm for left turn, extended right arm for right turn, a small wave or hand up without extension either for “thanks” or “I see you”, or waving on to encourage them to pass. Since I’m on a recumbent trike and need both hands to apply the brakes evenly (both brakes are on the front wheels) sometimes I can’t signal when trying to stop on a downhill, so I kind of use my head to communicate… and mental telepathy… Sigh…

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