In our podcast on Group Riding Etiquette and our podcast on Cycling Safety we mentioned Hand Signals and verbal communications. In the United States and most countries it is actually a law that Cyclists use hand signals in traffic. The hand signals we us in the USA are also used in most other countries. Below you will find photos of the various hand signals required by law and those that are used in group rides. First we will cover verbal communications. These are the things you will hear yelled out in most medium and large group rides all over the world.
Verbal Communications:
Car Up - This call is started by the lead rider(s) and is repeated by riders going backwards into the peleton or pace line to ensure all riders know that a car, motorcycle, truck or other large vehicle is approaching the group from the front.
Car Back - This call is started by the rider(s) at the rear and is repeated by riders going forward into the peleton or pace line to ensure all riders know that a car, motorcycle, truck or other large vehicle is approaching the group from the rear.
Car Passing or just Passing - This call is started by the rider(s) at the rear and is repeated by riders going forward into the peleton or pace line to ensure all riders know that a car, motorcycle, truck or other large vehicle is passing the group from the rear.
On your left - This call is used when a rider is passing the group on the left. Passin on the left should never require that the rider passing cross the double yellow line. There should never be a On Your Right call as passing on the right leads to accidents!
Dog(s) left, right, up, back - These calls are used to inform the group that dogs are approaching from different directions. You may even hear dog at Three O’ Clock and so on.
Road Kill - This call may be used in conjunction with a hand signal to point out where road kill is on the road. While there are usually no dangers of rolling over road kill it can make for an unpleasant stinky experience in the peleton.
Gravel - This call may be used in conjunction with a hand signal to point out where gravel and or broken pavement is in the road.
Hole - This call may be used in conjunction with a hand signal to point out where there are large breaks in the pavement such as pot holes.
Stick - This call may be used in conjunction with a hand signal to point out where a tree branch is laying across the road.
Flat - This call is used when a rider has a flat tire and may require assistance in fixing there tire. In a no drop ride the Ride Captain will usually help the person with the flat while the rest of the group waits or assists. In a training ride or training race it is usually up to the person to change there flat by themselves.
Rider Off - This call is used when a rider falls off the pace of the group in a no drop ride and the group needs to slow down so that the rider can catch up with the group.
Rider Down - This call is used when a rider has crashed in a group ride. Regardless of the groups plans the group should go back and lend a hand to the fallen rider. This call is also used in a race to inform race officials that there has been a crash. Do not expect any racer to come to your assistance after you have crashed in a road race except for: nearby teammates, ambulance, race officials or your team’s management.
Legal hand signals:
Turn Left - Raise your left arm horizontal with your elbow fully extended.
Turn Right - Raise your left arm horizontal with your elbow bent 90 degrees vertically.
Stopping - Extend your left arm at a 45 degree angle with the palm of your hand facing rearward.
Pack Riding Hand Signals:
Slowing - Extend your left arm at a 45 degree angle and move your hand up and down.
Turn Right (alternate hand signal - not legal) - Raise your right arm horizontal with your elbow fully extended.
Pulling off the pace line to the left - Extend/flick your left elbow outward not taking your hands of the handlebars
Pulling off the pace line to the right - Extend/flick your right elbow outward not taking your hands of the handlebars
Rail Road Crossing - Extend your left arm at a 45 degree angle and move lower arm back and forth from the elbow
Gravel, broken pavement - Extend your left or right arm at a 45 degree angle and point down towards the hazard while wiggling all 5 fingers.
Obstacles on the the left or right - Extend your left or right arm at a 45 degree angle and point down towards the hazard.
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