Hand Signals: What’s the Big Deal?
Sun, Apr 18, 2010 | by TJ Juskiewicz
By Michelle Stepanek, Bike Safety Communications Intern
Iowa Bicycle Coalition
Hand signals are not only the most efficient form of communication while biking; they are also the most important way of ensuring safety among yourself and others on the who are on the road. As Mark Wyatt, director of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition explains, hand signals, “make a big difference. Drivers cannot read your mind, you have to signal your intentions. The best way to operate is to negotiate with others by using hand signals. It’s all about negotiation”.
Hand signals not only prevent accidents among other bicyclists, motor vehicles and pedestrians, they also aid in helping bicyclists feel more comfortable and confident on the road. When Meleah Droll, Community relations officer of the Coralville Police Department was asked what the dangers of bicyclist not using hand signals are, she responded, “A bicyclist who turns without signaling causes confusion in fellow motorists, especially when making an abrupt or unexpected turn. Just like a turn signal is appreciated (and required, according to Iowa Code) for a motorist, hand signals are appreciated by motorists. It’s a way to communicate with drivers, and many times communication alleviates confusion and frustration”.
Hand Signals tell others what you intend to do and is a matter of law. Meleah Droll goes on to explain, “Since bicyclists have to follow the same rules of the road and laws as motorists and most bikes aren’t equipped with turn signals, the bicyclist needs to let other motorists know their intentions in traffic, and hand signals are the most effective way to do this”.
So others on the road have enough time to respond to you, it is important that to signal long before that action is actually made.
The proper hand signals that are to be used in Iowa:
When you are about to make a stop: Bend your left arm to a 90 degree angle with your hand pointing towards the ground. When you are about to make a left turn: Parallel to the ground, stick your left arm straight out from your body. When you are about to make a right turn: Bending are left arm to a 90 degree angle, point your hand upward towards the sky.
Additionally, noted by Dan McKay of Ride Right, “Cyclists do have other hand signals that they use for loose gravel, pot holes, road kill etc. These signals are usually to point down at the obstruction and call out the hazard to fellow riders. Riders, out of courtesy, should also call out there intent to pass another cyclist or pedestrian. For example saying on your left when you are about to pass”. Additional information on Iowa hand signals can be found in Iowa’s state drivers license manual.
Ensure safety, feel confident and avoid confusion. Use Hand Signals.
The Iowa Bicycle Coalition is a state-wide bicycle advocacy organization with 1,150 members throughout Iowa. The Iowa Bicycle Coalition builds partnerships, educates Iowans, and helps to establish safe and enjoyable bicycle transportation and recreation networks throughout Iowa.
Here in Colorado we can use our right hand to signal a right turn, not sure where else but when I was riding in Vegas they used it also.
Here in Texas we extend the right arm out to turn right, and the left arm out to turn left. It doesn’t take a genius to work that out.
I was going to ask the same question as Sunny7. I’m wondering, is the signal mentioned above the only one legal in Iowa? I’ve from Ontario, Canada, and our official government literature mentions the “alternate right turn signal” as a legal signal.
The reason for the left handed signal is that it is the same signals that motorists use/understand if they can’t use turn signals for some reason. They can’t use their right arm to signal. From a biking perspective, I also prefer to keep my right hand on the brake in case of an emergency stop. Since the right is rear, I don’t have to worry about locking the tire up and flipping over my handlebars.
I grew up in Iowa, and the way I remember it is that on a bike you can use your right arm to signal a right turn or you can use the left arm the way you would have to in a car with no turn signals. I always use my right, but the advantage to using the left is that it would make it easier to brake with the right hand while simultaneously signalling with the left.
In Oregon cyclists can legally use either the left hand as described above, or the right arm. I prefer to use the right since even dull motorists know what my intentions are if I point to the right.
Here in Illinois using the right hand as an alternate to signal a right turn is also allowed. I know a lot of cyclists that no longer use the left hand pointed skyward to indicate a right turn. Just seems simpler to point where you’re going, but I do understand the idea of keeping the right hand on the brake as a reason to use the left hand for all turn signals.
it works just as well in traffic to point right/left or at the ground when im on iowa roads
Here in NYC you only use the middle finger not the whole hand. It can be accompanied by grunts or colorful descriptive language. Your option.
The right turn signal described in this article goes back to an old one designed for use in automobiles without a functioning turn signal. You can’t reach across the seat and signal a right turn, so it was easier to point ‘up’ for right.
It’s a lot easier on the bike to just point to the right.
The author correctly explains Iowa Code 321.318 & 321.234. There might be case law on point, but I doubt it strays far.
I am not so sure this generation would even recognize the old right turn signal.
I agree that signaling a right turn by extending your right arm straight out is easier. But, in addition to keeping your right hand on the brake handle as you signal, there is another strong, practical reason for using the left-arm-bent-up signal: THE LEFT ARM IS THE ONE THAT MOTORISTS CAN BEST SEE. For safety, we on bikes should be to the right side of our lane, and especially so when about to make a right turn. If we signal with our right arm, a motorist behind, who is to the left, may never see our right hand. And, a motorist coming toward us will not see it is quickly or well. A signal is meaningless if it is not seen.