The other day I saw, from behind the wheel of my car, a rider raising her left arm to signal a right turn. It took me a moment to figure out what she was doing, so long has it been since my grammar-school bike-education class. When I ride, I signal a right turn by holding my right arm out to the right. But if said arm is in deep shade or if I'm already riding in the right lane, over near the curb, I might try the old left-handed "halt" signal to be sure drivers behind and to my left can see my intention.
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/-/qnnNf4sEBT0J. 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.
