Arm signals

[cyclenic]

Does anyone use armsignals, and are any of them understood by other road users.

without looking most of them up in the highway code i only know left and right and would guess at slowing down.

 

[Nigeyy]

Yes I do. If a car is waiting at a junction and I'm turning, I like to let them know -I think it's just good form to be clear about your intentions. I pretty much just use left and right (though interestingly the correct arm signal to signal a right turn in the States is to place your LEFT arm up at right angles -since I truly believe most car drivers over here have no idea what that means anyway, I stick to the traditional right arm stuck out). I have to be honest though, if there aren't vehicles about, I usually don't bother as I prefer to have both hands on the handlebars.

I just wish car drivers would return the favour sometimes.....

Does anyone use armsignals, and are any of them understood by other road users.

without looking most of them up in the highway code i only know left and right and would guess at slowing down.

 

[mr_cellophane]

I think I did arm signals when I did my driving test. (which make me incredably old ). Never used them since I past and would only ever consider left and right turn ones on the bike.

 

[Sh4rkyBloke]

Shaking the coffee beans gets used a bit when car drivers won't give me enough room... is that more of a hand signal though?

 

[gavintc]

Left, right, one finger and clenched fist moving up and down are all you need to use. The HC is a bit limited in the scope of hand signals, but drivers will get the meaning.

 

[robz400]

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This one comes in handy

 

[Molecule Man]

I always use a right-turn arm signal if there are other vehicles around, and usually a left-turn signal, though I sometimes deliberately don't signal left if I have a feeling that a driver might use it as an opportunity to cut me up (both from in front or behind).

I have some other improvised signals, don't know if they make any difference, but they usually seem to have the desired effect. In some multi-lane situations (e.g. when going straight on with a left-turn only lane to the left), I will vigorously point in my desired direction of travel. Sometimes, when it seems like a motorist is about to overtake too close I will use a sort of backward stop signal, or some more vigorous pointing gestures, trying to signal 'stay there!'. If that works then I will make a show of waving them past when there is space to overtake safely.

 

[marinyork]

Left and Right. If you use any others you're likely to get abuse from cagers.

 

[swee'pea99]

Left and tight when necessary (ie, drivers or otherwise who might need to know/benefit from knowing), otherwise not. 'Thanks' when appropriate. I used to favour the one-finger salute too, but now I tend to limit myself to withering glances.

 

[Auntie Helen]

Went on a cycle instructor training course a couple of weekends ago and discovered that the slowing-down signal (which I always used to use, right arm slowly flapping up and down) is no longer correct. You should just signal left, perhaps pointing towards the pavement, apparently.

 

[4F]

I sometimes deliberately don't signal left if I have a feeling that a driver might use it as an opportunity to cut me up (both from in front or behind).

With you there

 

[John the Monkey]

I use left, right, an arm out straight ahead to indicate straight on (surprisingly useful, particularly at RABs). I often acknowledge courteous driving with a wave of thanks, and always use same after someone has let me out around an obstacle, however grudging that letting might have been!

I've used the backwards wave/please wait there signal from time to time too, particularly when passing traffic islands where there isn't room for both of us to go through safely.

 

[Molecule Man]

It was good when my girlfriend and I had a tandem. The stoker could actually look round and make eye contact with motorists behind while making the hand signals, more chance of knowing if they have registered your presence and intentions.

 

[Andy 71]

Does anyone use armsignals, and are any of them understood by other road users.

without looking most of them up in the highway code i only know left and right and would guess at slowing down.

Always. Not having anyone say that my intentions were not clear. If I get in stack, I want my lawyers to be able to quash any Vicky Pollard-esque 'Yeah but, no but, yeah but.....' on the part of the motorists.

What part of a (perfectly horizontally) oustretched arm in a hi-viz jacket don't you understand?

 

[swee'pea99]

Went on a cycle instructor training course a couple of weekends ago and discovered that the slowing-down signal (which I always used to use, right arm slowly flapping up and down) is no longer correct. You should just signal left, perhaps pointing towards the pavement, apparently.

How lame was that signal, eh?