Cycling is fun regardless of your age or athletic ability. However, riding a sportbike on the road usually involves dealing with other vehicular traffic. It is important that you are able to communicate with car drivers via hand signals. Many of the same hand signals can also be used to communicate with other cyclists when riding in a group.
Left Turn
A cyclist usually indicates the intention to turn left by extending the left arm away from the body, parallel to the road surface. Essentially, with this signal you are pointing in the direction that you are intending to turn. Before making the left turn signal, glance behind you to make sure that there are no vehicles about to overtake you and it is are clear to put your left arm out.
Right Turn
There are different options for a right turn. Using the left arm, the signal is essentially the same as the left-turn signal, except that the elbow is bent so that the forearm is vertical. Alternatively, the right arm may be used to signal a right turn, in a mirror image of the left turn signal--the right arm is extended fully, pointing right and parallel to the road surface. The signal instructions given by Inland Empire Cycling indicate that it is preferable to execute a right turn signal with the right arm. The right-arm signal is clearer for motorists to interpret, although it does leave a right-handed cyclist's weaker hand in control of the bicycle.
Stopping
Various stopping signals exist, and over the years different signals have been emphasized and taught to young cyclists. In Britain before the year 2007, the signal for slowing down or stopping was an extended arm flapping up and down. British cycling proficiency training and tests now advocate making eye contact with drivers before slowing down or stopping instead of using any hand signal. If you want to use a hand signal for stopping, Inland Empire Cycling recommends extending either the left or the right arm at a roughly 45-degree angle to the body.
Member Comments