Showing other cyclists that I'm stopping suddenly

[Little My]

Hi everyone, I wonder if there is any hand signal that would clearly indicate to any cyclists following me that I'm going to stop suddenly?

I know about the stop signal described in highway code (waving your arm up and down), but haven't seen anybody using it and I've never been on a club ride (so don't know the signals they use). What I'm really after is a straightforward way of letting any cyclists (presumably just commuters like me not a seasoned club cyclists) that I need to stop.

I was cycling home today (after dark) and after going over some bumpy bit of tarmac, I heard something falling and hitting the ground. I thought it might be one of my rear lights (got a new one yesterday, so didn't want to loose it on a first ride), so I decided to stop and check. I looked behind, there wasn't anybody, so I moved to the left , slammed on the brakes and stopped. The next thing I know it's some guy on a hybrid, flying past and screeching - Jesus F***ing Christ!
I felt really bad at first thinking I wish I knew of a way to show him that I was stopping. Then I thought, maybe he wasn't paying enough attention so hadn't been prepared for me stopping (and he must have been a way back, considering his high speed when he passed me and that I hadn't seen him when checking prior to stopping). Luckily, neither of us got hurt, but I thought it would be handy to know if there is any clear hand signal I could use for similar eventuality in the future.

 

[Matthew_T]

In the situation you have described, I would suggest the only hand signal to show you are stopping would be to signal left.

There are three main hand signals that I use:
1. The arm at right angle with pointing finger - To show I am turning.
2. The arm at just about 45 degrees with the palm facing backwards or to a following vehicle - To show that I am either moving out or for the car to wait.
3. The 'patting a large dog slowly' method. Basically waving my arm up and down in varying speeds depending on the imminent danger.

To warn other cyclists that I will stop suddenly (or not) I always shout "Stopping" loudly. It is what we do on the club rides.
I understand that you didnt know this cyclist was behind you (possibly no lights or just came from behind too quickly). He also might not have seen you due to having just one light (I presume) left on your bike.

Without being there we cannot say but at least you were reflective (see what I did there) about the situation.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Do what the other cyclist did - shout! ''Easy!'' for slowing down, ''stopping!'' for, well, it's self-explanatory. Actually, ''Slowing'' might be a better more comprehensible shout if you don't know the cyclist behind - ''easy'' seems to be the accepted shout amongst groups of cyclists but you won't know whether a stranger will understand it.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

In Australia, one convention is to show the palm of your hand behind your back, typically the right hand, as an indication that you're about to stop. The palm is facing the rider(s) behind you. I don't know if the UK use this one, though .

Other cyclists use an older signal which (to me, at least) doesn't seem as common these days, and most likely is derived from motorists' signals (in left-driving countries) in which they can only use their right hand out of the driver's side window. This signal is to stick the right arm out with the elbow at 90 degrees (i.e. with the forearm pointing upwards, and palm facing forwards in your direction of travel) to form a reverse L shape.

 

[Black Country Ste]

The UK standard signal is to fully extend your right arm horizontally, palm facing down, and flapping your arm up and down. But in OP's situation the following cyclist is going to end up bumping a clothesline.

My own version is to extend my arm corresponding to whichever side I'm pulling to at 45 degrees, palm down. I suppose similar to a combination of a direction signal and a 'don't overtake' request. That's probably a nonsense but I'd almost be willing to bet that understanding hand signals outside of club riding is an art close to death.

 

[Alan Frame]

I looked behind, there wasn't anybody, so I moved to the left , slammed on the brakes and stopped. The next thing I know it's some guy on a hybrid, flying past

I'd have been tempted to to say "SMIDSY"

In response though, I take a GOOD look behind me and if another cyclist is close behind me I verbally tell him/her that I'm stopping. If they're further behind, they don't really need to know.

 

[Hitchington]

Hi everyone, I wonder if there is any hand signal that would clearly indicate to any cyclists following me that I'm going to stop suddenly?

I know about the stop signal described in highway code (waving your arm up and down), but haven't seen anybody using it and I've never been on a club ride (so don't know the signals they use). What I'm really after is a straightforward way of letting any cyclists (presumably just commuters like me not a seasoned club cyclists) that I need to stop.

I was cycling home today (after dark) and after going over some bumpy bit of tarmac, I heard something falling and hitting the ground. I thought it might be one of my rear lights (got a new one yesterday, so didn't want to loose it on a first ride), so I decided to stop and check. I looked behind, there wasn't anybody, so I moved to the left , slammed on the brakes and stopped. The next thing I know it's some guy on a hybrid, flying past and screeching - Jesus F***ing Christ! I felt really bad at first thinking I wish I knew of a way to show him that I was stopping. Then I thought, maybe he wasn't paying enough attention so hadn't been prepared for me stopping (and he must have been a way back, considering his high speed when he passed me and that I hadn't seen him when checking prior to stopping). Luckily, neither of us got hurt, but I thought it would be handy to know if there is any clear hand signal I could use for similar eventuality in the future.

Never feel bad for London commuter cyclists who think it's ok to undertake or ride 2 inches from your back wheel like they're part of a TDF peloton. Look behind, signal and slow down is what I'd hope I'd do, but then again if something suddenly comes off the bike it is likely I would just suddenly stop in panic! But anyone behind you on a bike should be alert and aware AND at a safe distance to react to a sudden stop.

 

[Keenbfb]

If I need to stop then I stop. if you're flying up behind me then it's up to you to keep an eye on the road and have the ability to stop safely within in the distance you have. I have no idea about the abilities of the cyclist behind me do they know my signals? Can they hear what I'm saying?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

A loud cry of "STOPPING" and a left turn signal if there's time. And don't beat yourself up that a lot of London cycle commuters ride like they drive.

 

[Sittingduck]

Sounds like a damn fine reason not to wheelsuck

 

[addictfreak]

If you are stopping 'suddenly' then I doubt you will have time for a signal. So in this case you could probably shout 'stopping'.

If I'm stopping or slowly (for a red light perhaps) I put my hand slightly to my rear with my palm showing to the rider behind.

You would hope that in both cases any following cyclists would also be observing the road ahead and be prepared to react.

 

[snorri]

http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consu.../@dg/@en/documents/digitalasset/dg_070566.pdf

 

[addictfreak]

 

[ianrauk]

It's all well and good indicating or shouting that you're stopping. But the cyclist shouldn't have been so close to you in the first place.

Edit: Just seen Sittingducks more succinct post

 

[wiggydiggy]

Showing other cyclists that I'm stopping suddenly?


I dont. If your too close too stop safely then thats on you.