Bicycle Safety - Hand Signals




Two Wheels, One Voice.

Bicycle Safety:

Hand Signals

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Where in the lane should you ride?

The simple answer to this question is ride as far to the right of the lane as is safe. But that doesn't mean you should always hug the curb. Here are some times a bicyclist may move out into the lame.
- Left Turn. You can move out near the center line when preparing to make a left turn. (See illustration ).
- Hazard. You may move away from the right side of the road to avoid potholes, drain grates and other hazards.
- Same Speed. You may ride in the center of the lane when you are moving at the same speed as the motor traffic.
- Narrow lane. When the lane is too narrow for a bicycle and a motor vehicle to safely drive side-by-side, you may "take the lane." That is, you may ride far enough out in the lane to keep motorists from trying to pass you until the adjacent lane is free of on-coming traffic.
Negotiating with motorists
- Before you move away from the right side of the lane to make a left turn or avoid an obstacle, make sure motorists around you know what you intend to do. Signal well before you make your move. Glance over your shoulder. This glance does more than just let you see what's coming; the body language speaks more clearly than a hand signal alone and tells motorists you want to move over. When you see a gap in the traffic, or when a motorist slows to let you in, make your move.
Never ride against the traffic!
- Wrong way bicyclists are asking for trouble. Turning motorists don't look for traffic coming at them on the wrong side of the road.

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