Didn't the left arm/right turn signal originate with motor cars, where you can't stick your right hand out of the right window when you are sitting in the left seat? I've not conducted a rigorous experiment, but it seems to me that any driver ought to be able to see a cyclist's right arm extended to signal a right turn. I think your busy body interlocutor is full of shit.
Patrick Moore iPhone On Nov 14, 2012, at 10:35 PM, Brian Hanson <stone...@gmail.com> wrote: > I was riding home yesterday, and a fellow pulled up behind me and politely > suggested that the cars would be better able to see my left arm held up, > rather than the method I used to signal my intentions (right arm pointed > straight out). Now I'm old enough to know the original traffic signals of > the left arm only, but in WA state, either way is legal, and it feels more > obvious that I'm going to turn right if I put out my right arm and point that > way in the same way I signal a left turn intention. > > I pointed out that both were legal, and thanked him for his opinion. He sort > of backtracked and apologetically said he often uses his right arm, too, but > he noticed that it may be harder to see a right arm signal from behind. Hmmm > - sounds suspicious. > > This also begs the question of what side to mount a headlight and taillight > on your bike, if not in the center line... > > Brian > Seattle, WA > > p.s. Here's the law in WA state for the doubting: > > Revised Code of Washington State 46.61.758 > Hand Signals. > > All hand signals required of persons operating > bicycles shall be given in the following manner: > > (1) Left turn. > Left hand and arm extended horizontally beyond the side of the bicycle; > > (2) Right turn. > Left hand and arm extended upward beyond the side of the bicycle, or > right hand and arm extended horizontally to the right side of the bicycle; > > (3) Stop or decrease speed. > Left hand and arm extended downward beyond the side of the bicycle. > The hand signals required by this section shall be given before initiation > of a turn. > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "RBW Owners Bunch" group. > To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
