Funny, I was just having this discussion earlier in the day in Rhinelander during a class I was teaching up there.
About 90% of the time, I now use the straight-out right arm to signal a right turn. I do this decisively and yes, as Brenda said, I often point. No limp, sort of half way out arm signals. Drivers understand that I am going to do something, and most understand that I am trying to make a lateral move (lane or lane position change) or a turn. The only time I use a bent-left signal for a right turn is if the motorist is to my left and may not see me. On the other hand, if s/he is to my left, that car/driver is unlikely to be a physical threat to me or get in my way, or vice versa. Normally when I am needing to communicate my intentions, the car/driver is behind me facing me in oncoming traffic (or maybe on a perpendicular course.) Most of the drivers that actually NEED to see my hand signals CAN see a straight-out right. The other reason I don't like using the bent-left signal is that the last time I used it, the driver thought I was giving him the finger. And I was even wearing gloves! Being understood/communication is the key. My opinion, from years of bike commuting and teaching bicycle safety, is that drivers are more likely to understand a "point where you are going to or want to go" approach. (Ask me about my "Back off, and don't be an idiot to pass me on a blind hill" signal. Yes, it actually does work!) Robbie _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [email protected] http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org
