Honestly, as a cyclist, I think the textbook hand signals are kinda stupid. The reason you don’t just point to the right is because you want to be able to keep your right hand on the front (more powerful) brake. As a result, nobody really knows what you’re doing. Just point where you’re going. Unlike in a car, everyone can just see me fully. I can even make more complex gestures. When there’s a sharp right and a slight right at the same intersection, I can point to which one. I can flip the bird. Endless possibilities when I don’t confine myself to the same limitations as a car. Also, if you’re feeling saucy, there are helmet lights that actually have turn signals in them which is kinda neat.
Edit: I got my front and rear brake mixed up. That’s what I get for riding fixed too long.
I agree. The “bent left elbow upwards” move makes sense as an option if you are in a car and don’t have a 10’ right arm to reach out of the passenger window to point right, but that limitation isn’t the same on a bike. I’m never braking the same time I’m signaling on my bike anyway- I signal way before.
Though at least my state handbook’s section on cycling says that pointing right is also an option one could use (after explaining the bent left elbow signal).
Honestly, as a cyclist, I think the textbook hand signals are kinda stupid. The reason you don’t just point to the right is because you want to be able to keep your right hand on the front (more powerful) brake. As a result, nobody really knows what you’re doing. Just point where you’re going. Unlike in a car, everyone can just see me fully. I can even make more complex gestures. When there’s a sharp right and a slight right at the same intersection, I can point to which one. I can flip the bird. Endless possibilities when I don’t confine myself to the same limitations as a car. Also, if you’re feeling saucy, there are helmet lights that actually have turn signals in them which is kinda neat.
Edit: I got my front and rear brake mixed up. That’s what I get for riding fixed too long.
I agree. The “bent left elbow upwards” move makes sense as an option if you are in a car and don’t have a 10’ right arm to reach out of the passenger window to point right, but that limitation isn’t the same on a bike. I’m never braking the same time I’m signaling on my bike anyway- I signal way before.
Though at least my state handbook’s section on cycling says that pointing right is also an option one could use (after explaining the bent left elbow signal).