Blue Ridge Parkway Journeys

Remember drivers ed? Part of the driving requirment was the effective use of hand signals; their use has even more meaningfulness today if you are on a bike. What makes drivers the most nervous following a bicycle is when the cyclists intentions are not known.

HAND SIGNALS SHOULD BE MADE WITH THE LEFT HAND BECAUSE THAT IS THE SIDE WHERE DRIVERS EXPECT YOU TO MAKE THEM. The photo to the left does not represent the best practice.

There is another reason, particularly if you are preparing to make a turn. The left hand controls the front brake which has the greatest braking power, but the bicycle becomes very unstable if you are applying hand brake pressure with the handle bars slightly turned. I have seen many riders (and motorcyclists particularly) go down when this technique has been used. Remember, give yourself that extra stopping distance needed by applying right brake pressure (i.e. to the rear wheel).