New research examines how drivers interpret cyclists’ hand signals — and which cues most clearly communicate intent.

As more Americans turn to biking for commuting, exercise, and recreation, the roads are growing more crowded and more dangerous as cyclist fatalities have risen sharply nationwide.

  • ergonomic_importer@piefed.caEnglish
    1·
    1 day ago

    But not all signals were equally effective. Straight-arm signals, pointing left to turn left or extending the right arm to turn right, were almost universally understood. In contrast, fewer than a quarter of drivers correctly interpreted the bent-arm right-turn signal that is still legally recognized in many places. Even the signal used to indicate stopping or slowing, while defined correctly by most drivers, was not the signal many says they would personally use if cycling.

    The problem is that for some reason it’s taught that cyclists should do all their signalling using the same arm. Like if you want to turn left you point left but if you want to turn right you point up? How does that make any sense. That signal could easily be misinterpreted as a wave or a stop.