Use this indication when you’re confident that you’re going to be pulling the brakes in order to significantly slow your speed. With your arm outstretched, palm-down, and slightly behind you so cyclists behind you get a clear view of your hand, move your hand up and down at the wrist to indicate that you’re about to slow. All illustrations by Matt Ward / Signals Slowing Here’s our guide to the key signals and calls you need to know to stay safe on the road. The nature of riding in a group means, if you’re not on the front of the bunch, you may not always see a hazard, but a well-drilled group using signals and calls correctly will ensure all riders remain safe on the road. With various signals and calls to warn the group of the hazards cyclists are exposed to, it’s vital you know what each one means, while being able and confident to make a call when you’re the rider on the front. To newcomers it can be surprising, and potentially confusing, just how noisy a group of cyclists can be. Cyclists therefore sometimes have to choose between giving a hand signal and covering the brake.Group riding is one of the best and most enjoyable aspects of road cycling – whether you ride regularly with your club each weekend, train with a select few buddies as you build-up to your next race, or you’re making the trip to ride a sportive with a group of friends. It is not possible to cover both brakes when performing a hand signal and both hands are needed on the handlebars to steady the bicycle under hard braking. When approaching a junction a cyclist may wish to "cover the brake" in readiness for an emergency stop. Ĭyclists, like all other road users, should be ready to make an emergency stop at all times. The front brake is the most effective method of stopping a bike under normal road conditions. In many countries, the hand signal for stopping/braking requires that the cyclist signal with the hand used for the front brake. Conflict with brake operation Ī bicycle's front brake lever is typically installed on the side of the handlebar closest to the center of the road (front-left for right-side driving). South Africa Extend the right upper arm out to the right horizontally and make your forearm vertical with your palm facing forward (as depicted in the US right turn signal above). It is also common practice to extend the upper arm horizontally with the forearm extended downwards, palm facing forward. Alternatively, the right upper arm is extended horizontally with the forearm extended downwards, palm facing forward. Australia The right arm is vertically extended with the palm facing forward. Italy The right arm is vertically extended with the palm facing forward. US and Canada The left arm is horizontally extended with the forearm angled downward. However, the latter is not a legally recognised signal. To indicate coming to a full stop, the right arm is extended vertically, with palm facing forward. US stop signal UK and Ireland To indicate the slowing of a vehicle, the right arm is horizontally extended palm-down with the hand rotating up and down at the wrist. It is also more easily understood by children. This signal has the advantage of being more visible to affected traffic, specifically vehicles in the next lane to the right. If a vehicle is fitted with turn indicators, they may be used instead. South Africa and Denmark The driver extends their right arm horizontally with the palm to the front. British Columbia (Canada) recognizes both. State traffic laws generally conform to the Uniform Vehicle Code, but exceptions may exist. The Uniform Vehicle Code in the US recognizes both signals, although the Code strongly encourages cyclists to use the "arm to the right" technique. Prior to this approach, the convention was for cyclist to extend the left upper-arm out to the left, horizontally and angle one's forearm vertically upward this practice is no longer in use due to safety concerns. Right turn hand signal US and Canada (optional) The current convention for signaling a right turn, either while cycling in traffic or cycling with other riders, is to extend the right arm perpendicularly to the body, pointing in the same direction of the intended turn.
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