In the US, bike riders are required to use hand signals to indicate their next move on the road. The bike hand signals laws are hardly enforced in the country but are crucial in protecting cyclists and other road users from danger. Being unfamiliar with the signals makes cycling complicated and scary, especially on busy roads. The best news is that learning the signals is such a no-brainer, and you can get used to them the first two or three times you practice.
This article closely examines all the essential bike hand signals you should know and their essence. You will learn the right time to signal and how long to hold the signal.
According to a research study on bicycle safety by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Trusted Source Bicycle Safety Bicycle trips make up only 1% of all trips in the United States. However, bicyclists account for over 2% of people who die in a crash involving a motor vehicle on our nation’s roads. www.cdc.gov , many bicycle crashes occur because of misunderstandings between cyclists and motorists. Bike hand signals are a prime way of minimizing bicycle crashes caused by road users’ misunderstandings.
A car driven carelessly can still hit you on your bike, but using hand signals correctly reduces the risk. Hand signals also ensure the safety of other cyclists. Hand signals are the best way to communicate your intentions if you are cycling in a group or a place with many other cyclists. Signaling that you want to stop, slow down or turn will give motorists and other road users enough time to react appropriately.
Here are the most crucial bike hand signals. To increase the likelihood of motorists and other cyclists noticing your signals, ensure you look around and make eye contact. Make the signal about 100 feet before you intend to slow down, stop, or make a turn so other road users can have enough time to react appropriately and you can put back your hands on the handlebars as soon as possible. Hold the signal for about 3 seconds.
Stop is the most common hand signal used by cyclists. It is the most critical bike hand signal because, unlike motor vehicles, bicycles do not have brake lights. To make the signal, extend your left arm to your side, then bend it down to a 90 degrees angle with your hand open.
Extend your left arm to your side, then move your hand up and down at the wrist, with the palm facing down. Use the signal 100 ft before slowing down. You should be certain that you will be applying brakes to reduce your speed significantly.
Signaling motorists and other cyclists to go ahead simply requires you to fan your hand forward.
You can signal motorists and other cyclists to notify them of a road hazard or obstacle like a pothole, drain cover, or manhole cover. Extend your arm (right or left) and point to the ground. Do a circling motion to make the message clearer.
Hand signals are essential on a busy road with many motorists and other cyclists. The signals will help you stay safe as they are meant to alert other road users of your intentions so they can react appropriately to avoid confusion and chaos.
Virtually all the bike hand signals in the USA apply to other places like the UK and Canada. According to an article by Sigma Sports, Trusted Source Guide for Beginners to Cycling Hand Signals - Sigma Sports Make clear to other riders and road users what you are doing out on the road with the Sigma Sports Beginner’s Guide to Cycling Hand Signals. www.sigmasports.com the bike hand signals highlighted in this article are similar to what works for the UK, except for stopping. The signal for stopping in the UK is putting a simple fist behind the back.
You should signal at least 100 ft before turning to give motorists and other bike riders time to react to your signal appropriately.
According to the New York Bicycling Coalition Trusted Source Riding at Night Riding at night is more dangerous than riding during the day. Visibility is obviously decreased and chances are greater that some motorists are tired or even impaired. But there are many things you can do to be safe while riding at night. nybc.net (NYBC), the best way to be safe while riding at night is having a white light on your bike’s front, a red light on its rear, and reflectors on the wheels to make you visible to motorists.
If you need a reflector, check out the RydeSafe Reflective Decals – Hexagon Kit. You can use it to customize your helmet, frame, rims, and bike accessories for a safe ride at night.
The Ascher Ultra Bright USB Rechargeable Bike Light Set would also be a great addition for safe cycling at night. The set has a front headlight and back taillight. It is easy to install and has four light modes.
Most countries and states consider bikes as vehicles that must be ridden in the same directions as cars, trucks, and other vehicles. If you drive on the left, ride the bike on the left side of the road like other vehicles. For more detailed information, check our article ‘which side of the road do you bike on’.
Different states have different laws regarding electric bikes. States that consider e-bikes similar to typical bicycles do not require you to have a license to ride one. Others require a license. Check the laws in your State before rising an e-bike to avoid being in trouble. You can also check our article ‘do you need a license for an electric bike’ for more information.
Most e-bikes top off at around 20 miles per hour. We have a separate article ‘how fast can an e-bike go’ that investigates this topic in detail.
Bike hand signals will help you avoid being hit by a car, motorbike, or another cyclist. Although they don’t eliminate the possibility of being hit by a reckless driver or motorist, bike hand signals reduce the risks of accidents caused by miscommunication significantly. Besides enhancing your safety, the signals make cycling easy and enjoyable even on the busiest roads.
We have touched on all basic bike hand signs that every cyclist should know. Most of them apply to different states and countries. Before riding your bike in a new State or country, be sure to check the bike hand laws to avoid confusion and miscommunication on the road.