How To Use Hand Signals Safely while Cycling in Traffic Video

http://www.rei.com/category/4500003 The key to riding your bike safely in traffic is to let cars around you know what you're doing. In this video, Dan, an REI Outdoor School instructor demonstrates proper hand signals that help you to be predictable. When you want to turn left, point left with your left arm. When you want to turn right, either point right with your right arm, or raise your left arm bent up at the elbow. To signal that you're slowing down or stopping, lower your left arm bent at the elbow. Slow down and maintain control of your bike when signaling, as signaling requires you to take one hand off the brakes.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• REI
• hand signals
• hand signaling
• turn signals
• cycling
• road biking
• road cycling
• how to
• bike
• safety

[dsgregg]

Good stuff. Miss manners says pointing is rude but when ya gotta turn, ya gotta turn.

[youztuber5000]

@jsallen1946 no you completly miss the point, drivers need you to signal to understand what your doing and its a common problem (among others) that pisses drivers off

[MevanMartinez]

Great video & as always, the comments add clarifications from experience. Balancing one-handed comes w. a lot of practice. I can take some serious bumps bec. I slide back on my seat and "hold" the top tube bet. my knees. I can manage bumps fast and downhill. Looking back tells drivers that you are engaged, & keeps them honest. If I need to take a lane or cut in soon (w. pause), I either point down perpendicular, splash my fingers, or make a fist. I wear orange gloves. I do not cut trucks/buses.

[MrTom3277]

Im not going to lie, i use proper signals as discussed in this video. Ive been yelled at, waved to, and even beeped at. Noone understands what these signals mean. In some cases im even told to get off of the road as me being on a bike is a disturbance to traffic. What ever happened to share the road? Ride Strong!

[MegaCocacolaguy]

Has anyone got a tip on how to balance when doing hand signals?

[PcGamerPaul]

Should i wear Neon vest when biking in day since i have one?

[roadworms]

@Aberdemon1988

rear view mirrors for bicycles do exist

[unlocker]

@jsallen1946 You're an idiot. You're going to ask the car if you can slow down? If you are turning right, who are you going to ask? The cars in the perpendicular lane?

[jsallen1946]

This video completely misses the point.. A signal on a bicycle is a request, not just an indication. Its usual purpose is to ask "would you please let me into line?" That is followed up with a look to the rear to see whether the driver has granted yoru request.

[evanrkg]

underlined warning: make SURE you slow down with the brake before you take your hand off the bike to signal.