The Unsolicited Advice Thread

[californiagrown]

When you're signaling turns on a bike, just point in the direction you're going. Seems like a big chunk of people don't know the traditional hand signals, specifically the raised left hand to indicate a right turn.

1000% yes! Just gimme a big bold point for 5 seconds before your turn and the message is unmistakable no matter what language you speak, or country youre from.

[J. Barron DeJong]

The problem with using the "wrong" signal for a right turn is that if you're on a bike riding on the shoulder, using your right arm to signal a right turn is harder for a car behind you to see. I'll stick with the standard signal if needed.

Tripple A disagrees with you.

https://mwg.aaa.com/via/car/turn-hand-signals

[Danno]

Tripple A disagrees with you. https://mwg.aaa.com/via/car/turn-hand-signals

You have a strange way of finding disagreement. AAA does recognize that using the right hand to signal a turn for a cyclist is ok (which I already knew) but does not say that the traditional signal should not be used or is in any way incorrect or illegal. So when I am biking, I will stick with the traditional signal, though I do understand how to interpret the alternate one..

[J. Barron DeJong]

You have a strange way of finding disagreement. AAA does recognize that using the right hand to signal a turn for a cyclist is ok (which I already knew) but does not say that the traditional signal should not be used or is in any way incorrect or illegal. So when I am biking, I will stick with the traditional signal, though I do understand how to interpret the alternate one..

My bad. I saw the bottom half of the graphic where they said to use those hand signals for bikes, but did not read through the full description of the top half of the graphic showing the car.

I still think pointing right is better, and that the risk of a misinterpreted left hand signal is much higher than a missed right hand point.

[dan_pdx]

The problem with using the "wrong" signal for a right turn is that if you're on a bike riding on the shoulder, using your right arm to signal a right turn is harder for a car behind you to see. I'll stick with the standard signal if needed.

I know, but you have to balance that with the idea that some people have no idea what you just signaled.

The tenor of the times being as it is, I usually don't say anything when I see another cyclist fuck this up, but one time I saw a guy teaching his son, who looked elementary school age, to signal right and turn left, and in the interest of keeping his kid safe yelled "you signaled right and turned left" as I went by in the opposite direction. He said "no I didn't!"

People are really amazing. You could look it up in 3 seconds but you'd rather just keep doing it wrong. Also, I would love to know how those people think you signal a right turn.

[Danno]

yes, when in doubt, always account for the stupidity of other people everywhere.

Trying to teach my teenage daughter about defensive driving in prep for her becoming a driver.

[californiagrown]

The problem with using the "wrong" signal for a right turn is that if you're on a bike riding on the shoulder, using your right arm to signal a right turn is harder for a car behind you to see. I'll stick with the standard signal if needed.

If youre on a bike riding on the shoulder, and all cars are to the left of you, what does signaling a right turn accomplish? Honestly, id be a little afraid of a driver thinking it was OK to turn right with me and squeeze me.

IMO, the reason you signal a right turn as a cyclist is mostly to alert oncoming cars or crossing cars of your intention. Or if you are taking a lane and letting a Ped cross the street before your right turn, signaling a right turn will alert folks behind you of slowing down.

[old goat]

It also alerts the cyclist behind you. Not all of this leave everyone else in the dust.

[J. Barron DeJong]

It also alerts the cyclist behind you. Not all of this leave everyone else in the dust.

Also if a car is waiting at an intersection for you, to turn on to the road you are riding on, signaling lets them know they do not have to wait. Same benefit for the other driver as signaling when you are in a car.

[KQ]

I can still remember Mom rolling down the window to signal a turn. Crazy how time passes.


And you run and you run to catch up with the sun but it's sinking
Racing around to come up behind you again
Sun is the same, in a relative way, but you're older
Shorter of breath and one day closer to death

[gaijin]

I didn't understand that song well enough when it mattered most.

[old goat]

I didn't understand that song well enough when it mattered most.

Well apparently Pink Floyd hadn't heard of Galileo and Copernicus.