I often use the left-arm-up-going-right signal because I'm a bit of a contrarian (and anglophile) and despite living in the US, setup my brake levers for right/front (Brit/Moto style) braking, and since I'm often braking just before a turn, find myself using the left arm for signaling. And since I'm on a bike and don't have the roof of a car in the way, i make it a bit more of an acute angle so my fingers end up pointing towards the right, so hopefully it's a bit clearer than just my left hand raised towards the sky (Hallelujah!).
I definitely had to learn the hand signals in driver's ed, so I guess I just assume that most people know what it means. 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/-/JkT2OP_eo3oJ. 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.
