Hand Signals for Group Riding
- Nod your head when the bike ahead of you
gives a hand signal. Each rider should repeat
the hand signals. Glance in your mirror,
and continue the signal until the rider behind
you nods or repeats it.
Slow Down: Left arm out, wave with hand flat
in a downward motion
Stop: Put left arm down by side with palm
of hand facing rear
Left turn: The traditional 'extend left arm,
with palm of hand facing forward'
Right Turn: the traditional 'extend left
arm, bend at elbow and point up with whole
hand, palm forward'
Ride Single File: Put one finger above your
head
Ride in Staggered Formation: Extend two fingers
above your head in a 'V', or raise closed
fist above your head and extend thumb and
pinky while rotating wrist back and forth
Hazard in road, left side: take left hand
off bars, point to ground with one finger
Hazard in road, right side: take right foot
off peg and point with toe
I need gas: Point to tank, sound horn to
alert ride leader
I am leaving the group, don't follow me:
use left fist to knock on helmet
Read this sign: point to sign, extend fingers
to indicate what line you want them to read
i.e. two fingers for the second exit listed
on a freeway sign
Stay behind me: extend left arm out, palm
facing back
Pass me: extend left arm and wave forward
Everyone pull over: clench left hand in first
with thumb extended, and point to right side
of road with thumb over your head
You pull over: Point to another rider, clench
left hand in first with thumb extended, and
point to right side of road with thumb over
your head.
Railroad tracks or uneven pavement ahead:
extend left arm with elbow bent to lower
arm faces forward, with palm flat, and make
an up and down motion.
Need refreshment brake: make a fist with
your left hand, extend your thumb, but hand
to face and make like you are drinking from
your thumb
We are going to make a U-turn: put hand overhead
with one finger extended, and rotate in a
circle
Cut engines: use flat hand to make a cutting
motion across neck
Start engines: raise arm, extend one finger,
and make a rapid circular motion about 5
times, then start your bike
Tighten up the formation: pump clenched fist
of left hand up and down over head
Speed up: make upward waving motion with
left arm, palm of hand facing up
Your blinkers are on: hold arm up, open and
close fingers
Pull up next to me: point to another rider,
then wave arm forward or pat leg
I have no idea where we are going, and should
not be leading!: Point forward and shrug
shoulders
Be prepared to stop quickly: flash brake
lights quickly and repeatedly.
