Showing other cyclists that I'm stopping suddenly

[caesar]

Saddle disappearing up one's arse is the universal emergency stop signal isn't it?

 

[growingvegetables]

The next thing I know it's some guy .... - Jesus F***ing Christ!

Best comeback I've heard to similar screech - "No, I'm his mum actually!"

Thank you, some cyclist in Leeds - still hoping for a chance to use it myself, one day

 

[Little My]

Thanks everyone I bear in mind your helpful suggestions. I like the idea of using the left hand signal and possibly the palm facing one, I bear that in mind for the future. I also remember the shouting

Not sure he would have heard me shouting, considering me was way back (when I checked I hadn't seen anyone) and the traffic was really busy. At first I was a bit frightened, as it could have ended up badly for both of us. Then I felt really angry and though the idiot probably wasn't paying attention. If he did hit me I think I would be tempted to deck him and definitely give him a piece of my mind

Lol I wonder if there was a bit of playing 'mine is faster then yours' involved, I was going flat out on my little folding bike and he might have wanted to overtake me at all costs (hence the high speed when passing)? What the poor sod didn't know is that my bike rides like a dream, had a freshly cleaned and oiled chain and can get up to 25 m/ph with not much effort at all (it could probably go faster, but I wouldn't feel safe doing more then that, considering the bike has a high centre of gravity).
I also wonder if it was the same guy I caned twice before on the same road ?

 

[fatblokish]

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.

When I did my cycling proficiency I was taught not to point with my finger when turning lest the driver behind mistake it for, well, pointing at summat. Driver looks for imaginary object, sees nowt, and then proceeds to overtake, collecting me en-route.

Seems good advice, so I continue to use the then recommended hand outstretched method.

 

[Matthew_T]

When I did my cycling proficiency I was taught not to point with my finger when turning lest the driver behind mistake it for, well, pointing at summat. Driver looks for imaginary object, sees nowt, and then proceeds to overtake, collecting me en-route.

The only way a driver would hit you for that exact reason is when you are not shoulder checking enough.

You dont just signal and move over immediately, you signal as well as shoulder checking, as well as not moving over until the car has allowed you to, as well as staying in secondary (or primary) until it is safe to move over.
If you are unaware of the car overtaking you then that is your fault. You should always allow yourself room to avoid someone doing such.

 

[Tynan]

how would you want a car ahead of you to slow and stop?

mirror signal manouvre in good time, you can't just stick the brakes on and stop, if a bike behind you was given a start I suggest your stop could have been better

 

[Little My]

how would you want a car ahead of you to slow and stop?mirror signal manouvre in good time, you can't just stick the brakes on and stop

Had you actually READ my first post? Obviously not since you missed the point completely.

My question is not about cars, cars have BRAKE LIGHTS and and can STICK THE BRAKES ON (it's called emergency stop , say when a child runs on the road )

if a bike behind you was given a start I suggest your stop could have been better

I checked before I stopped and there was NOBODY behind me (or he was too far behind for me to see him). Do you ride with your neck craned backwards (in busy traffic) just in case there is an idiot following you that doesn't pay enough attention?

 

[fatblokish]

The only way a driver would hit you for that exact reason is when you are not shoulder checking enough.
quote]

Or if the driver is distracted whilst desperately looking for the imaginery object you are pointing at and tweaks you, either as you slow in preparation for the turn or otherwise.

Of course shoulder checks are good, but why give a missleading signal that makes you place greater reliance on them?

I'll stick to the HC recommended ones, after all most drivers were once familiar with the HC.

 

[pac-man]

if on a club/group ride or out riding with friends. then shouting "stopping" would be normal practice.. before slamming the anchors..
but why would there be a need to shout out "stopping" then on a normal commute?

hopefully the guy flying past would learn... riding on the back of some random cyclist is at best stupid. luckily no-one was injured this time

 

[Beebo]

Boris Bikes are the worst for making random sudden stops at unexpected moments. I always give them a wide berth.

I have had lights fall off my bike a number of times before, and I wouldnt dream of just pulling on the anchors suddenly; a nice controlled slow down and indicate left into the kerb is fine. As Tynan points out, we dont have brake lights, which makes it very hard to second guess what the bike in front will do, especially when there is no obvious reason for stopping so suddenly.

 

[Boris Bajic]

If it's an emergency stop, best to have both hands on the handlebar. No signal is possible or necessary.

If it isn't an emergency, I prefer voice to hand signals. If in doubt, ask a small group of cyclists who knows the standard hand signals for stopping or slowing. Most will not - and they might be the one behind you. One can belly-ache all one wants about everyone at their club using these signals all the time.... A dinged rim is still a dinged rim... A QR lever through the rear tyre will still cause a puncture.

What ths thread brings to mind is the extraordinary rarity of rearward glances one sees from very many road cyclists these days. Many of us have crept up on another rider, getting slowly closer over a mile or two - only to have them say "Where did you appear from?" as we pass. This is not an everyday thing, but it is not so rare. I do not understand why cyclists do not spend more time glancing to the rear.

But I don't understand Differential Calculus either, so it might just be me....

 

[snorri]

View attachment 18512

Which organisation authorises these signs?

 

[addictfreak]

Which organisation authorises these signs?

Sorry I have no idea, I was trying to be helpful and just did an Internet search. But the stopping signal is one I use, and have seen used quite a lot when riding with different groups.

 

[doug]

Sorry I have no idea, I was trying to be helpful and just did an Internet search. But the stopping signal is one I use, and have seen used quite a lot when riding with different groups.

They are in common use in America, that left arm held up at 90 degrees to turn right confused me when I first rode over there, apparently it is what car drivers used to do when cars didn't have indicators.

 

[Trail Child]

They are in common use in America, that left arm held up at 90 degrees to turn right confused me when I first rode over there, apparently it is what car drivers used to do when cars didn't have indicators.

These signals are actually taught in drivers' classes here (Ontario) in case you are driving a vehicle without signal lights or dysfunctional signal lights.