Left Hand Signaling

Eat My Dust · May 2007

Does anybody do it? I never signal for a left hand turn as I find the result can often be other road users doing stupid things.

SNAPS

jonnywilkinson · May 2007

just a little point down of the finger for the benefit of anyone drafting me. or just occassionally if i think it will help an old lady cross the road. good deed of the day style.

Jonny
FGG #2545 & #2983

thereisnospooncp · May 2007

If I see a vehicle waiting to come out of that particular junction then I indicate.

http://lifeonthetube.blogspot.com/

Mister Paul · May 2007

Yup. But leave it late, otherwise they'll overtake you and turn left immediately.

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Road Safety Expert

DavidTQ · May 2007

I always indicate left or right.

Unknown · May 2007

I generally indicate, though I admit I often fdon't bother when turning right into my road, I signal that one by my road position as I'm not yet adept enough to signal whilst climbing out of the saddle.

Unknown · May 2007

Only if there's anyone to directly benefit. For example, on my commute, I turn left off a major A road onto a B road. If there's anyone waiting to turn onto the A road, I'll signal good and early to let them know that there is a gap if they're just waiting for me, because I know how difficult it is to get out of that junction. Otherwise, I let road positioning do the work. Approaching junctions, if I'm on the left, I'm in secondary position, if I'm carrying straight on, I'm somewhere between secondary and primary, more towards primary on the busier junctions. Turning right, obviously, I'm on the right. Seems to work quite well for me.

Aidocp · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Mister Paul

Yup. But leave it late, otherwise they'll overtake you and turn left immediately.

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Road Safety Expert
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I like to signal left to tell a driver in a side street it is safe to pull out, releive their fustration.
I also think in signalling left it tells the driver behind me, its not worth overtaking I'm pulling off.
However I'm starting to agree with MP

If I had a baby elephant, who would take it for walks?

Hackbike 6 · May 2007

Yes I indicate if possible.

Hackbike 8 Commuting Debut 09/09/2006Dawes Audax 2006 New 20/09/2006 

 Cycle Commuting since 1981 

Cycling Proficiency Test 24 May 1977

 Ride to work part 1 of 8 http://tinyurl.com/ypjapc
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BentMikey · May 2007

I usually indicate late as well, though in some circumstances I'll indicate a little earlier. Usually when I'm not likely to be at risk for doing that, and when it will bring some convenience to other waiting traffic.

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My skates

If I had a baby elephant, I'd teach it to skate.

Cab · May 2007

Yep, late indication for me too. Otherwise the temptation seems to be to try to overtake or, worse, to accelerate into the space that I'm going to vacate as I turn. But I do indicate if I can, and thats pretty nearly every time.

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Unknown · May 2007

I let people know my intentions if it's beneficial for all concerned. Usually I indicate normally. There's a point on my amended commute route (when I skip out the glass-infested, lonely cycle path) where I'm coasting at about 25-30mph after a long descent and I need to turn right onto a tiny little minor road which is 5 yards before a t-junction.

As I'm now in the middle of repeated consecutive down-shifts, keeping tension on the pedals, I move to just to the right of primary to signify my intention to turn. I have to brake fairly sharply at about 1 millisecond of completing the turn to hop up onto the kerb to follow a roadside cycle path.

Hmm?

Unknown · May 2007

i've been known to signal with my arms (rarely due to lack of balance), my legs (less so now tho) and my favorite, my ass

BentMikey · May 2007

Don't forget it's not just some idiot from behind you have to watch out for, it's also the oncoming right turning traffic that will try to turn with/into you if you signal early.

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My skates

If I had a baby elephant, I'd teach it to skate.

domtyler · May 2007

I never use hand signals, I use a mix of body language, eye contact and positioning to let people know what I am doing when necessary.

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dondare · May 2007

When the ES were running their (bloody useless) cycling campaign, they had their regular columnists trying to say something good about cycling. Unfortunately they couldn't keep it up so ended up complaining about the way people ride. This is part of a letter I wrote to them (they didn't print it) that includes exactly this point. Indicating a left turn can encourage motorists to cut you up.
"David Williams states authoritatively that
increased levels of cycling "means pressure on
roadspace is mounting". This is a view shared by many
motorists and it is completely incorrect. Every cyclist
represents one less car and so their increasing
numbers means that pressure on road-space is being
reduced. This should be made clear to every driver:
"Your journey is quicker because I cycle!"
Another point that Williams makes is that it's
frustrating to slow down to a dismal crawl behind
cyclists on the approach to a left-hand turn. (As if
he doesn't have to slow down to a dismal crawl when
stuck in traffic.) He suggests that if the cyclists
are also turning left then then they should indicate.
Perhaps they should but his implication is that if
they did that then he would overtake them and then
turn left, which is not something that a cyclist would
wish to court. Overtaking should wait until after the
turn has been made regardless of whether or not the
cyclist was also turning."

What's worse than raining cats and dogs?
Hailing taxis and buses.

Hackbike 6 · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by BentMikey

Don't forget it's not just some idiot from behind you have to watch out for, it's also the oncoming right turning traffic that will try to turn with/into you if you signal early.

My bikes
My skates

If I had a baby elephant, I'd teach it to skate.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

No really?[:P]

Hackbike 8 Commuting Debut 09/09/2006Dawes Audax 2006 New 20/09/2006 

 Cycle Commuting since 1981 

Cycling Proficiency Test 24 May 1977

 Ride to work part 1 of 8 http://tinyurl.com/ypjapc
Ride to work part 2 of 8 http://tinyurl.com/2jfagu
Ride to work part 3 of 8 http://tinyurl.com/2jcldv

rdaviesb · May 2007

Yes. Stops the pedestrians crossing the road in front of me.

Jaded · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by rdaviesb

Yes. Stops the pedestrians crossing the road in front of me.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

If you mean in the road you are turning let into, then the peds have right of way. [;)]

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[Warning] This post may contain a baby elephant or traces of one

rdaviesb · May 2007

That indeed is the theory [;)]

BentMikey · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Jaded

If you mean in the road you are turning let into, then the peds have right of way. [;)]
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Don't they always have priority?

My bikes
My skates

If I had a baby elephant, I'd teach it to skate.

Aidocp · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by BentMikey

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Jaded

If you mean in the road you are turning let into, then the peds have right of way. [;)]
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Don't they always have priority?

My bikes
My skates

I may be wrong but I believe if a ped has started to cross, ie they're on the road they have priority unless its a signalised crossing then they always have priority when its a green man whether on the road or not.

If I had a baby elephant, I'd teach it to skate.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

If I had a baby elephant, who would take it for walks?

Flying_Monkey · May 2007

I always signal whether left or right, unless it would be too dangerous in terms of control (really bad road surface etc.). Thinking that other people will work out what you are doing by body language etc. is assuming way too much.

I signal not least because drivers not signalling any more is one of the most annoying and dangerous trends at present and I know how much trouble this causes me on a daily basis.

And yes, pedestrians need to know what you are doing too... and they do indeed have right of way if already on the highway.

Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety

Tetedelacourse · May 2007

A simple baseball cap, placed on the head, with a small torch strapped to either side, and with strings attached to each torch switch, can provide safe and reliable means of indicating one's intention to turn to other road users and pedestrians alike.

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Hey little thing let me light ya candle cos a momma I'm sure hard to hannana, yesaran

jel · May 2007

I signal left if I'm changing lane and right almost all the time but almost never signal to turn left except off a roundabout.

If you're going to signal anything other than an arm stuck out is crap.

Jacomus-rides-Gen · May 2007

My gf is studying psychology and is writing her dissertation at the moment, she is looking at the impact of a cyclists body language on drivers. (She was inspired by my constant moaning about my commute through London [:D])

She came up that the best way to signal a turn when cycling is to put your arm out, elbow slightly bent so that you can effectively reach backwards, your arm at an angle of about 30-40degrees back from your shoulders, and signal with your hand open in a 'stop' shape directed at the car behind. The angle of your hand should be such that your fingers are pointing up at 45(ish) degrees from horizontal.

Apparently people are conditioned from a very young age that if someone makes that sign, it is likely to be a command you must obey, such as coming from a Police officer, or another figure of authority in charge of your safety on the road.

I allways signal like this now, it is amazing the difference this simple gesture makes. It also works to stop people impatiently creeping towards my rear wheel at roundabouts.

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Unknown · May 2007

I'm going to give that a try. It's so crazy, it just might work [:)]

Hmm?

BentMikey · May 2007

Except for the oncoming right turners, yes.

My bikes
My skates

If I had a baby elephant, I'd teach it to skate.

markpbeaumont · May 2007

I tend to indicate when I think there's someone who might need an indication of what I'm about to do...

Tetedelacourse · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by StefanH

I'm going to give that a try. It's so crazy, it just might work [:)]

Hmm?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Well on your head be it but I think you'll find the indicator hat (TM) is far more effective.

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Hey little thing let me light ya candle cos a momma I'm sure hard to hannana, yesaran

Paul Lavery · May 2007

I never indicate my intention to turn left when I'm on the bike. I always throw right turning traffic a 'dummy' leaving it to the last minute to turn left and carrying good speed through the corner.

If you've ever driven in NZ, you'll know what I'm talking about! At best, turning left here can be annoying and at worst, potentially dangerous. Bloody stupid left turning rule. Even Kiwis don't understand it! [:D]

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Left Hand Signaling

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