Hand Signals While Riding

 

Start Your Engines

Ride Leader:   With your right or left arm extended, move your index finger in a circular motion.
Riders:   To indicate that you're ready to Go, place your hand (right or left) on top of the windshield. If you don't have a windshield, raise your hand. This tells the leader that your engine is running and you're ready to ride.

Left Turn

Raise your left arm horizontal with your elbow fully extended. Also - Most bikes have turn signals - use them. Hand signals used in conjunction with turn signals give everyone in the group and other traffic a clear idea of your intentions.

Right Turn

Raise your left arm horizontal with your elbow bent 90 degrees vertically. Also - Most bikes have turn signals - use them. Hand signals used in conjunction with turn signals give everyone in the group and other traffic a clear idea of your intentions.

Hazard Left

Extend your left arm at a 45 degree angle and point towards the hazard. (Sometimes in group riding, the road captain may wave his left arm back and forth above his head to alert the rest of the group. The road captain is the only person who should perform this maneuver.)

Hazard Right "A"

Extend your right arm at a 45 degree angle and point towards the hazard. (See Hazard Left for alternate.)

Hazard Right "B"

Extend your left arm upward at a 45 degree angle with your elbow bent to 90 degrees and point towards the hazard over your helmet. (See Hazard Left for alternate.)

Speed Up

Raise your left arm up and down with your index finger extended upward. This indicates the leader wants to speed up.

Slow Down

Extend your left arm at a 45 degree angle and move your hand up and down. (Alternate - Use either arm, straight down and palm toward the back. Move your arm back and forth at the elbow.)

Stop

Extend your left arm at a 45 degree angle with the palm of your hand facing rearward.

Single File

Position your left hand over your helmet with your fingers extended upward. This indicates the leader wants the group in a single file formation. Usually this is done for safety reasons.

Staggered Formation

Extend your left arm upward at a 45 degree angle with your index and pinkie finger extended. This indicate that it is safe to return to staggered formation.

Tighten Up

Raise your left arm and repeatedly move up and down in a pulling motion. This indicates the leader wants the group to close ranks.