indicating in the dark

[native son]

Hi
I am new to cycling, started in October. I have been trying to get out as much as possible since the Christmas holidays and don't want to stick just to weekends.
I feel quite confident in the dark, good lights etc but my only concern is being seen when indicating. Any tips on making sure my arm signals can be seen by drivers.

 

[HLaB]

Can't say I've ever found it a problem there's plenty of reflective bits on gloves/ jackets/ jerseys etc. It also helps if you are in a central position in the lane rather in the gutter before you need to turn; your bike lights will then be effective too. A shoulder check no matter if its day or night helps too.

 

[Bayerd]

For turning right, I've always found that shoulder-checking is nearly always sufficient when done early enough. The driver behind senses what you're about to do and backs off. For left turns I find it's good manners to indicate if it looks like you're holding someone else up that's waiting for you.

 

[native son]

Thanks for that, sounds like I am doing the right things. Realised how important shoulder checks and eye contact can be when out in the day too.

 

[BrumJim]

Strong arm position with straightening elbow. I always add a flick of the wrist and a finger point, but that probably looks REALLY bad from behind.

 

[MontyVeda]

if your gloves/sleeves aren't reflective you can get iron on reflective strips like these... if your gloves/sleeve wont take the heat, iron them onto a bit of scrap cotton, then use fabric glue to get them on your gloves/sleeves.

 

[marinyork]

Positioning is more important. It's also worth remembering that you have priority and it is the vehicle behind's duty to overtake safely. It is essentially their 'problem' although clear road positioning and signals may help.

 

[the snail]

it is the vehicle behind's duty to overtake safely.

it's also your responsibility to look behind, signal before you make a manouvre

 

[skudupnorth]

it's also your responsibility to look behind, signal before you make a manouvre

Tried all that round our way and most times i nearly get my arm ripped off Motorists still think they rule the roost !!!

 

[longers]

As mentioned in a previous post, road positioning helps. Along with looking behind and arm signals they add up to clues that the drivers should be noticing and anticipating what you want to do/are going to do.
It's great when drivers hang back to let you make a turn just because you've looked over your shoulder a couple of times.

 

[marinyork]

it's also your responsibility to look behind, signal before you make a manouvre

Not sure why you seem to be making some equivalence that isn't there. If you read the highway code properly you will see that it doesn't place an equal hierarchy on both measures; the vehicle behind has the greater responsibility - funnily enough why I said what I did. If your positioning is already good you won't be changing lines to turn right, hence it is not actually a manoeuvre at all until you stop or slow down to turn right. Again any vehicle following behind should leave a safe distance in case they stop etc. See rule 167 in particular. If a novice is doing all this stuff I think it helps to know that they aren't doing anything wrong, it is up to the person behind to anticipate things. Such knowledge may help their confidence and even think in terms of moving out and planning rather than trying to do it at the last minute. As time goes by and they get used to it, they'll get good at it.