Cycling things no one tells you, and on today’s episode we’re talking hand signals.
For those running group rides, make sure to chat about this before you ride. And for new cyclists, don’t be afraid to ask how people signal for certain things.
The last thing we want is people crashing, or cyclists feeling embarrassed because they don’t know what’s going on.
Let’s have a chat down in the comments because I’m sure there’s others that l’ve missed, and probably some that people do differently
#cycling #handsignals #guide
49 Comments
Car behind = car back
Flicking both elbows for when you’re getting out of the saddle(maybe with a little UP! thrown in) … my biggest peeve is people not doing this
I was taught by old school guys, one of them an Olympic medalist.
Car UP from behind, car DOWN from in front.
Explanation was DOWN your Jersey and UP your arse 😂
P off cyclest
I rode with a local group who shout car down for cars coming towards and car up for those behind, seems counterintuitive.
Its head and tails where I ride.
Ugh. Use your eyes. Never going trust someone's slow lazy hand signals. Car back is about the only useful signal
The first clip of you on the bike is in braunston Rutland. Never expected that.just realised all the clips where within Rutland. Love the content btw
We run with:
Car Up (Up the road i.e. ahead)
Car Back (behind us)
Also “Clear” or “Stop” for any junctions/merges etc.
Yes/No is too risky due to question ambiguity – Is it clear? Is there a car? Also No and Go are too similar.
To be honest, there is a natural selection element to this. Whoever is right will live to ride another day!
I ride alone because I don’t like people 😂
“Cattle guard” warning looks like “moose ahead”🫎🫎
I sometimes give a thumbs up to considerate motorists.
This is interesting. I watched this or 5 times. I commute. Alone. Some day i may do a group ride. Though after a few good wrecks I have slown down a lot. So i need to find a slower group. But not too slow. It is why I ride alone. Commuting is really nice.
Very good video. If you're at the front, it is very important to look far ahead and signal well ahead of a pothole or turn, because it takes time for the people in the peloton to react and convey the message (repeat the sign) to the people behind. In the front, you are effectively steering a whole train of people who can't see in front. So it is a big responsibility to stay focused and not miss any hand signs.
Having ridden in various groups, I now default to simply shouting CAR!😅
We just shout “car” regardless of where it’s coming from 🤦♂️
Missed the elbow flap twice for obstruction or single flap for getting out of the saddle. I wish more riders used these.
When I worked on trail crews, we'd use hiker/biker up/down based on the grade of the trail when we were working ("biker down" meant "move, quickly!"). If we're walking and letting someone by, it was "up" for ahead and "back" for behind.
Before turning, do three things: Signal with arm. Shout out turn. Look over shoulder.
I just say car when it's coming from behind and nothing if it's coming from the front, because why in hell should we care about cars in the other lane???
Car back when car behind and car up when coming towards you.
Why is everyone so soft now. Mountain biking everyone says just me. Shut up. Trump is in office now. Stop with all the gay shit. Worry about riding. Crashing is part of life. Get over it.
Car Front / Car Back – simples
Just a couple of weeks ago, I witnessed a new signal. Tap the calves to signal, "I'm tightening my shoes for the sprint ahead!" I thought he was signaling, "Cramp!" I didn't get a chance to confirm the signal as I sprinted past uphill and never saw him again! 😅👋
Eh for us is car right if it passes us on the right
Here in NJ we only use one hand signal
Car Front and Car Back
you forgot the most important one the MVDP spinny finger one to signal take your turn on the front.
Used to be “car up” “car back” but since it’s constant car traffic now, just nothing.
Car Front and Car Back dead simple
I mean… "car front" would just do away with any confusion right?
Car up and car back. Never heard car down before. I’ve heard “man down” which usually signifies a dead critter.
In my part of Sweden we say "Meeting" whatever you meet and "Car" for whatever comes from behind. This way you can't misshear if it is windy.
For cars I just do the Swedish military thing and shout "Vehicle!" and then everyone who heard is supposed to repeat "Vehicle" in answer and themselves observe the approaching car. While less informative, it forces everyone to take a moment to take in the surroundings and observe the approaching vehicle
And, for God’s sake, don’t scream CAR UP!!! like it’s the beginning of the apocalypse! Just a calm, factual, less-than-full-volume will be more than sufficient to let everyone know without them thinking a Sherman tank is bearing down on them!
Or just ride your bike
We also tap the outside hip if we're dropping off the lead.
"Car Back" or "Car Ahead"
I'm "car up" and "car back"
The guy I ride most with is "car down" and "car back"
I have palm down shaking/spreading for gravel.
Palm back for slowing, palm back clenching and opening (flashing) for slowing hard!
Team car up and car back. Also jogger or packed car we do a movement similar to yours but we wave the person behind away from the obstruction.
"I say chaps, there appears to be a ghastly motor carriage on the road ahead of us" is what I usually say during the group penny farthing rides.
Nose and tail
Can't believe you didn't bunny hop the cattle grid!
Car up, and car back.
For me right is left arm pointed up. Left of left arm pointed left.
I do the same slowing signal, but stopping is palm pointed back.
Going around peds similar but right hand behind back pointed left, doesn’t need to be against the back.
If we did the car call out in Philippines we would be yelling the whole ride hahah
Nose for car ahead and tail for car behind i'd use, rest the same
Oh hell no
Roadies are such a weird bunch 😂