7 January 2008
Hand signals: benefits and limitations
Posted by todd under: Words from cycling sages .
Though hand signals are overrated in most forms of presumed safe cycling education, they are important if used correctly. But not in the form of the hands as substitutes for a magic wand … If you stick out your hand, you have not obtained a right of way to do what you have in mind, whether others have seen this signal or not. Mostly, the hand signals serve two functions, namely as a negotiating tool and as a form of politeness. Signals need not be given continuously: about one second at a time at 5 to 10 second intervals, is quite adequate to be detected.– Rob Van der Plas, The Bicycle Commuting Book
In fact, I almost ALWAYS wear one (while riding a bike anyway). (On the other hand, if YOU don't want to wear a helmet, I have no problem with it.) I don't remember what happened on this particular day. Fortunately for all of us it makes for a less-nerdly picture. My exceptionally talented professional photographer friend Charles Bertram took this photo.
I asked my 6-year-old son, Caleb, an avid bicyclist and artist, to draw a bike for me. I think he did a great job!
