Do you see this moron in the photo above? That, in some places, is how you signal a right turn while riding a bicycle. But not in Portland! So why do you assholes insist on doing it?
Every goddamn day in Portland, I end up behind a cyclist (either in my car or on my bike) who insists on jamming their whole goddamn arm out into space every time they want to turn. It’s fantastic that they’re attempting to inform people as to their plans, re: turning. But they’re doing it totally wrong, and they don’t seem to give a shit.
Now. Here in Portland, as in most other bike-heavy cities in the world (London, for example), riders are required to simply point in the direction they are turning, rather than using arm signals. It’s that easy. Just point at the thing you are about to turn into. Like a street. Or a driveway. Or a goddamn TREE, for all I care. You just have to point at it before you turn. Don’t take my word for it; here’s this, from Bike Portland’s very good bike safety page:
“Hand signals tell motorists what you intend to do. For turn signals, point in the direction of your turn. Signal as a matter of courtesy and safety as required by law.” (our emphasis)
There’s a good reason for doing this: Many drivers won’t know what the hell you intend to do. I mean, half the time I can’t quickly decipher what the hell cyclists are talking about when they use those antiquated goddamn arm signals. I see a cyclist in front of me throw an arm out at a 90 degree angle, and my brain freezes up. WHAT IN THE FUCK DOES THAT MEAN? Right? Left? Shit! Are they going to stop? Not stop? TURN ACROSS TRAFFIC? And that’s me, a guy who cycles and drives among cyclists a lot, let alone some bloated khaki-lined douchebag from Lake Oswego who only sees a person on a bicycle if they are five years old, on training wheels and in their driveway.
It’s confusing, is what I’m saying here people. WHEREAS: Pointing in the direction you plan to turn is as clear as clear can be. “See me? That’s where I’m headed. Gangway.” That simple.
This has been a public service announcement. Carry on.
January 22nd, 2011at 12:11 am(#)
At first I thought you were advocating the 90 degree arm signal and I was going to get very mad because, like you, I DON’T KNOW WHAT IT MEANS. I get it, 90 degrees is a RIGHT angle, which implies a right turn. But I don’t understand it when I’m behind another cyclist (do they want me to stop, slow down, they’re turning… which way?) And if I needed to signal that way on a bike, my thought process would be: “I need to turn right so let me take my left hand, make a 90 angle so that way my hand is really far away from the handlebars if I need to brake suddenly…” Pointing makes so much more sense.
January 22nd, 2011at 2:30 am(#)
Hmmmm,moron-goddamn-shit-fuck,if that’s the way you express yourself why should anyone take you seriously.There is only one way to respond to people like you.”I know you are but what am I ???”
January 22nd, 2011at 2:48 am(#)
You know why the photo above is the right way to do it? Creating a weird right angle with your left arm? Because it’s in the Motherfucking drivers’ manual for any person with a license in the state of Oregon, that’s why.
The other reason is a question of visuals. If you point with your right hand that you’re turning right, it’s likely that the car/bike/horse behind you won’t notice the signal. Because they are stupid and not paying attention.
January 22nd, 2011at 5:16 pm(#)
I hear you. I do. But look: Those same arm signals are in divers’ manuals in every city in the country. That doesn’t mean anyone knows what the hell they are – especially if they aren’t used to being on the road with cyclists, who are the only people who use them. And as for people noticing, that’s not the point. People who aren’t paying attention aren’t paying attention – it doesn’t matter what signals you use.
Plus, none of this matters, because it’s the damn LAW in Portland to point when you turn, rather than using arm signals. It’s the law for a reason: It makes way more sense than expecting people to instantly recognize what arm signals mean.
January 25th, 2011at 4:59 pm(#)
I couldn’t disagree more. Learn your hand signals, then you’ll understand them.
Sometimes riders feel more confident holding onto the handlebars with their dominant hand.
Woman pictured above is doing it right. Carry on.
January 26th, 2011at 11:06 pm(#)
Ah Portland…where bloggers spew rage over signal technique. At least they’re fucking signaling!
As for “the damn LAW in Portland:” it pretty clearly considers both techniques acceptable.
That said, I do prefer to just point where I’m going.
January 28th, 2011at 4:35 pm(#)
“You know why the photo above is the right way to do it? Creating a weird right angle with your left arm? Because it’s in the Motherfucking drivers’ manual for any person with a license in the state of Oregon, that’s why.”
Exactly. Along with pointing not making sense, you also want to have your right hand near the right (rear tire) brake. sudden front tire only braking is dangerous, for obvious reasons.
for those of you who still don’t get WHY these signals are what they are, cars existed well before turn signals and brake lights. And signals were an optional accessory for years, so you used to have to hand signal in the rain, snow, and everything else. in fact, you’re still required to if your electrical system isn’t operating.
January 3rd, 2012at 11:22 pm(#)
Dude.. its in every drivers handbook I knew this when I was 8
why are stupid people so opinionated. If you dont know stfu and stop making your self look stupid