I use both signals, depending on the situation. For example, my commute home from work features a right hand turn that many cars execute from the middle lane (inappropriately), as well as the right lane in which I am happily riding along. I signal the right turn with my left arm in this case because there are cars coming toward me that are off to my left. Could they see my right arm if I stick it out to signal the turn? Probably, but I think they have a better chance of seeing the signal if I use my left.
For a right turn where there is a car coming out of the street onto which I am about to turn, I use my right arm. Steve On Nov 15, 2012, at 1:24 AM, Bertin753 wrote: > Didn't the left arm/right turn signal originate with motor cars, where you > can't stick your right hand out of the right window when you are sitting in > the left seat? I've not conducted a rigorous experiment, but it seems to me > that any driver ought to be able to see a cyclist's right arm extended to > signal a right turn. I think your busy body interlocutor is full of shit. > > Patrick Moore > iPhone > > On Nov 14, 2012, at 10:35 PM, Brian Hanson <[email protected]> wrote: > >> I was riding home yesterday, and a fellow pulled up behind me and politely >> suggested that the cars would be better able to see my left arm held up, >> rather than the method I used to signal my intentions (right arm pointed >> straight out). Now I'm old enough to know the original traffic signals of >> the left arm only, but in WA state, either way is legal, and it feels more >> obvious that I'm going to turn right if I put out my right arm and point >> that way in the same way I signal a left turn intention. >> >> I pointed out that both were legal, and thanked him for his opinion. He >> sort of backtracked and apologetically said he often uses his right arm, >> too, but he noticed that it may be harder to see a right arm signal from >> behind. Hmmm - sounds suspicious. >> >> This also begs the question of what side to mount a headlight and taillight >> on your bike, if not in the center line... >> >> Brian >> Seattle, WA >> >> p.s. Here's the law in WA state for the doubting: >> >> Revised Code of Washington State 46.61.758 >> Hand Signals. >> >> All hand signals required of persons operating >> bicycles shall be given in the following manner: >> >> (1) Left turn. >> Left hand and arm extended horizontally beyond the side of the bicycle; >> >> (2) Right turn. >> Left hand and arm extended upward beyond the side of the bicycle, or >> right hand and arm extended horizontally to the right side of the bicycle; >> >> (3) Stop or decrease speed. >> Left hand and arm extended downward beyond the side of the bicycle. >> The hand signals required by this section shall be given before initiation >> of a turn. >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> [email protected]. >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. > > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "RBW Owners Bunch" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
