Hand signals

This article is about hand and arm signals used in traffic. For other uses, see Hand signals (disambiguation).

Hand signals are given by cyclists and some motorists to indicate their intentions to other traffic. Under the Vienna Convention on Traffic, bicycles are considered vehicles and cyclists are considered drivers, a naming convention reflected in most traffic codes.

In some countries, hand signals can also apply to any vehicle whose signal lights are missing or damaged. This rule also applies to drivers of small motorized vehicles such as mopeds and motorcycles.

Like car drivers, cyclists use three primary signals:

1. Left turn/ overtaking
2. Right turn
3. Stopping/ braking.

Left turn

In right-hand traffic countries, the left turn-hand signal is also used to indicate overtaking to the left.

Left turn signal

All countries

To signal a left turn, the driver horizontally extends their left arm outwards. ^[1]

South Africa

The driver extends their right arm with the forearm pointing vertically downwards and moving in a circular anti-clockwise motion. Drivers of tractors, animal-drawn vehicles and two-wheeled vehicles may also extend their left arm horizontally with the palm facing forwards. Signal lights or turn indicators may be used in place of hand signals if installed. ^{[2] [3]}

Right turn

The same signals are also used for overtaking to the right in left-hand traffic countries.

Right turn hand signal

US and Canada

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 as the intended turn. (The above statement used a citation that led to a dead link and does not cite what safety concerns lead to allowing the use of the right arm in the United States. Some states do not recognize the right arm because drivers are taught to only look at the bicyclist’s left arm for all signals. Some states allow the use of either arm.

Previously, the convention was for cyclists to extend the left upper arm out to the left, horizontally, and angle one's forearm vertically upward, but is no longer in use due to safety concerns. The Uniform Vehicle Code in the US recognizes both signals, although the Code strongly encourages cyclists to use the "arm to the right" technique. State traffic laws generally conform to the Uniform Vehicle Code, but exceptions may exist. Both are recognized in British Columbia, Canada.

South Africa and Denmark

The driver extends their right arm horizontally with the palm to the front. If a vehicle is fitted with turn indicators, they may be used instead. ^{[2] [3] [4]}

This signal has the advantage of being more visible to affected traffic, specifically vehicles in the next lane to the right. It is also more easily understood by children.

Slowing down

South Africa and Denmark

Sudden reduction in speed requires the same signal as stopping. ^{[2] [3] [5]} The driver is also permitted to extend their right arm horizontally with the palm facing down and move their arm in a vertical motion. ^{[2] [3]}

Overtaking

South Africa

A vehicle may signal a vehicle behind them to overtake them by extending the right arm below shoulder level, with the palm facing forwards, and moving the arms backwards and forwards. ^{[2] [3]}

Stopping/braking

US stop signal

UK and Ireland

To indicate the slowing of a vehicle, the right arm is horizontally extended with the palm facing downwards and the hand rotating up and down at the wrist. To indicate that the vehicle is coming to a full stop, the right arm is extended vertically, with the palm facing forward, although the latter is not a legally recognized signal. ^[6]

US and Canada

The left arm is horizontally extended with the forearm angled downward. When a cyclist intends to turn right, they should use their right arm to signal the turn by extending the right arm horizontally to the right side of the bicycle, pointing to the right. This is the standard hand signal for a right turn for cyclists in these countries.

Italy

The right arm is vertically extended with the palm facing forward. Cyclists use a different hand signal to indicate a right turn. When a cyclist wishes to turn right, they typically extend their right arm straight out to the right side of the bicycle.

Australia

The right arm is vertically extended with the palm facing forward. Alternatively, the right upper arm is extended horizontally with the forearm extended downwards, palm facing forward. Cyclists use the same hand signal for a right turn as they do in the United States and Canada. When a cyclist intends to turn right, they should extend their right arm horizontally to the right side of the bicycle, pointing to the right. This is the standard hand signal for a right turn for cyclists in Australia, as well as in the United States and Canada.

Denmark

Any arm is extended vertically. ^[7] It is also common practice to extend the upper arm horizontally with the forearm extended downwards, palm facing forward. When a cyclist wishes to turn right, they should extend their right arm horizontally to the right side of the bicycle, pointing to the right. This is the standard hand signal for a right turn for cyclists in Denmark.

South Africa

The right upper arm is extended to the right horizontally and with the forearm vertical and palm facing forward as depicted in the US right turn signal above. ^{[2] [3]}

See also

• Hand gestures
• Outline of cycling
• U.S. Army hand and arm signals
• Vehicular cycling

References

1. "Denmark: Færdelsloven §32 stk 2". Retsinformation.
2. "Rules of the Road". Arrive Alive. Retrieved Jun 5, 2020.
3. Road traffic regulations Regulations 324 - 328
4. "Denmark: Færdelsloven §32 stk 2". Retsinformation.
5. "Denmark: Færdelsloven §32 stk 4". Retsinformation.
6. Quinlan, Ashley. "Essential guide to road cycling hand signals and calls". Road Cycling UK. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
7. "Denmark: Færdelsloven §32 stk 4". Retsinformation.