Hand signals are given by

cyclists Cycling, also, when on a two-wheeled bicycle, called bicycling or biking, is the use of Bicycle, cycles for transport, recreation, Physical exercise, exercise or sport. People engaged in cycling are referred to as "cyclists", "bicyclists", ...

and some

motorists Driving is the controlled operation and movement of a vehicle, including cars, motorcycles, trucks, buses, and bicycles. Permission to drive on public highways is granted based on a set of conditions being met and drivers are required to fol ...

to indicate their intentions to other

traffic Traffic comprises pedestrians, vehicles, ridden or herded animals, trains, and other conveyances that use public ways (roads) for travel and transportation. Traffic laws govern and regulate traffic, while rules of the road include traffi ...

. Under the Vienna Convention on Traffic, bicycles are considered 'vehicles' and cyclists are considered 'drivers', a naming convention reflected in most

traffic code Traffic codes are laws that generally include provisions relating to the establishment of authority and enforcement procedures, statement of the rules of the road, and other safety provisions. Administrative regulations for driver licensing, vehi ...

s. In some countries such as the Czech Republic,The law of the Czech Republic
361/2000 Sb.
§ 30 Canada, and the United States, hand signals apply not only to cyclists, but also to any vehicle whose signal lights are missing or damaged. This rule also applies to drivers of small motorized vehicles such as mopeds and motorcycles. As in automobiles, cyclists use three primary signals: left turn/overtaking, right turn, and stopping/braking.

Left turn

right-hand traffic Left-hand traffic (LHT) and right-hand traffic (RHT) are the practices, in bidirectional traffic, of keeping to the left side or to the right side of the road, respectively. They are fundamental to traffic flow, and are sometimes referred to ...

countries, the left turn hand signal is also used to indicate overtaking to the left. ; All countries : To signal a left turn, the driver horizontally extends their left arm outwards. ; South Africa : The driver extends his/her right arm with the forearm pointing vertically downwards and moving in a circular anti-clockwise motion. Drivers of tractors, animal-drawn vehicles and two-wheeled vehicles are allowed to extend their left arm horizontally with the palm facing forwards. Signal lights or turn indicators, if installed, may be used in the place of hand signals. Road traffic regulations Regulations 324 - 328
/ref>

Right turn

The same signals are also used for overtaking to the right in

Left-hand traffic Left-hand traffic (LHT) and right-hand traffic (RHT) are the practices, in bidirectional traffic, of keeping to the left side or to the right side of the road, respectively. They are fundamental to traffic flow, and are sometimes referred to ...

countries. ; US and Canada (optional): The current convention for signaling a right turn, either while cycling in traffic or cycling with other riders, is to extend the right arm perpendicularly to the body, pointing in the same direction of the intended turn. Prior to this approach, the convention was for cyclist to extend the left upper-arm out to the left, horizontally and angle one's forearm vertically upward; this practice is no longer in use due to safety concerns. The Uniform Vehicle Code in the US recognizes both signals, although the Code strongly encourages cyclists to use the "arm to the right" technique. State traffic laws generally conform to the Uniform Vehicle Code, but exceptions may exist. British Columbia (Canada) recognizes both. ; South Africa and Denmark: The driver extends their right arm horizontally with the palm to the front. If a vehicle is fitted with turn indicators, they may be used instead. This signal has the advantage of being more visible to affected traffic, specifically vehicles in the next lane to the right. It is also more easily understood by children.

Slowing down

; South Africa, Denmark : Sudden reduction in speed requires the same signal as stopping. It is also allowed to extend the right arm horizontally with the palm facing down and move the arm upwards and downwards.

Overtaking

; South Africa : A vehicle may signal a vehicle behind them to overtake them by extending the right arm below shoulder level, with the palm facing forwards, and moving the arm forwards and backwards.

Stopping/braking

; UK and Ireland : To indicate the slowing of a vehicle, the right arm is horizontally extended palm-down with the hand rotating up and down at the wrist. To indicate coming to a full stop, the right arm is extended vertically, with palm facing forward. However, the latter is not a legally recognised signal. ; US and Canada : The left arm is horizontally extended with the forearm angled downward. ;Italy : The right arm is vertically extended with the palm facing forward. ; Australia: The right arm is vertically extended with the palm facing forward. Alternatively, the right upper arm is extended horizontally with the forearm extended downwards, palm facing forward. ; Denmark: Any arm is extended vertically. It is also common practice to extend the upper arm horizontally with the forearm extended downwards, palm facing forward. ; South Africa:Extend the right upper arm out to the right horizontally and make your forearm vertical with your palm facing forward (as depicted in the US right turn signal above).

Conflict with brake operation

A bicycle's front brake lever is typically installed on the side of the handlebar closest to the center of the road (front-left for right-side driving). In many countries, the hand signal for stopping/braking requires that the cyclist signal with the hand used for the front brake. The front brake is the most effective method of stopping a bike under normal road conditions. Cyclists, like all other road users, should be ready to make an emergency stop at all times. When approaching a junction a cyclist may wish to "cover the brake" in readiness for an emergency stop. It is not possible to cover both brakes when performing a hand signal and both hands are needed on the handlebars to steady the bicycle under hard braking. Cyclists therefore sometimes have to choose between giving a hand signal and covering the brake.

References

{{Gestures Cycling Cycling safety Automotive safety Sign systems