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.
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….
You can even get creative and make your own signals. Though, everything you do becomes signal of some sort…
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.”
nazi salute means: watchout i’m taking off!
I just noticed the two Boston Terriers with the “Hi” guy. They are so cute. Did you just cut them right from your comic with them? They look similar
the pedestrian in your right-turn panel reminds me that from time to time I’ll extend my right arm, palm forward in the universal gesture of “Hey, Hi Five!”
Works well on people hailing taxicabs, and particularly well on people on Mass Ave. or Kenmore Square after 2am when they’re all a little tipsy and generous with giddy gestures.