The "left-arm-pointing-up" signal seems to me to be relic of a bygone age when there were still cars that didn't have turn signals.
Even worse, in my opinion, is the fact that the "pointing-up-to-mean-right" signal is not intuitive; to anyone who doesn't know the symbology, it means nothing. Think about it: Ask somebody to point to their left, and they'll raise their left arm and point that way. Ask them to point right (the direction you're going to turn), and they'll raise their right arm and point that way. If I want to make sure a car knows which direction I'm turning, I will raise that arm--left or right--and point that way. I certainly won't rely on an arcane, non-intuitive system of signaling that requires the motorist behind me to be able to decipher that my "pointing up" signal really means I'm turning right. Just my two cents. Everyone is free to use whatever signals are legal in their state. --Eric N www.CampyOnly.com CampyOnlyGuy.blogspot.com Twitter: @CampyOnlyGuy On Nov 15, 2012, at 7:44 AM, SteveD <[email protected]> wrote: > I use my left arm more because I'm a traditionalist is some respects, and use > my right on occasion. No big deal. I think whatever is more convenient at the > time is appropriate. The important point is that the rider signals his/her > intentions to everyone, no matter what arm they use. > > As for light's, my Lumatec LED is mounted on the left fork, and makes sense > to me because 1: I can't mount it on the centerline; 2: it's still visible to > oncoming traffice; 3: the Lumatec is plenty bright. > > Steve, > Seattle > > On Wednesday, November 14, 2012 9:35:47 PM UTC-8, stonehog 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 view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/TVKzd_zLnL0J. > 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.
