Making traffic signals on your bike?

[foxfirefey]

So, I have a vague idea of what traffic signals you're supposed to do on a bike. The problem is, I apparently don't always have the talent to bike *and* signal at the same time! I totally tumbled onto the road today trying to signal a right turn with my right arm.

Is there a better way? Does anybody have particular strategies? Should I just practice more in non-traffic areas until I'm more confident? Do they matter that much in your experience--how bad a sin is it to not do them?

Comments

[copracat]

Practising is good plan! I've practised emergency stops, too - where you lift off the seat and move your weight (ie bum) backwards over the rear wheel while braking fast, so you don't pitch over the front wheel. There might even be defensive riding courses near you. Your bike shop or local bike group might know.

[juliet]

I was going to suggest both practising, and seeing if anyone near you offers adult on-road bike lessons. (In the UK there are loads of people who do this -- I am a cycle instructor myself :) ).

Find somewhere offroad, and start off by just taking your hand off the handlebars and holding it above the bars for a bit. Next, try putting your finger on your nose for a couple of seconds :) before moving onto a proper turn signal (arm extended, fingers together, palm vertical -- think of your hand as a flag showing its largest surface -- for about 3 seconds, to give drivers plenty of time to see you). Things to bear in mind to avoid wobbling: keep looking forward, and KEEP PEDALLING, which is the most common error! If you stop pedalling, you'll slow down and are more likely to wobble. In my experience, it really only takes 5--10 minutes of practising to get much more confident.

The other thing to remember is that you should look behind you before signalling (to make sure you're not about to stick your arm out into another road user), and then do another 'lifesaver' check just before you turn, to make sure it's still clear behind you. This is especially important when turning across traffic (right in the UK, left in the US).

Signals are a fairly important way of communicating with other road users, but by no means the only way -- you can also use road positioning and eye contact to signal what you're doing. It is definitely a good idea to be able to do them, though!

Emergency stops: we teach 4 Bs: Both brakes, Brace your arms (to stop yourself going forward), Bum on the saddle (weight on the saddle & right at the back of it, again to keep yourself from pitching forward), and Balance (both feet on the pedals until you've come to a stop.