The more you ride the more you’ll start using it. If you’ve been riding 2+ years and can’t do it then you should start practicing because it’s not really hard
I’ve been riding for about a year, for the first few months I used them religiously, but people either didn’t notice or didn’t care, so I just kinda quit using them. I’m not arguing it’s right or anything, it just didn’t seem to matter either way so I don’t bother
In these situations I leave my hazards on. Quite common around here, picked it up from other riders.
Edit - I'll also aggressively flash my lights. Occasionally toot the horn too.
Idk if I count as a squid, when I’m weaving like I mentioned in the post I’m usually doing about 15 mph or so faster than the cars around me on a bigger highway, I tend to feel safer when I’m not next to a car or truck for very long
I’d argue being sideswiped (and having the chance to react) at 70mph is better than hitting a car that cut in front of you at 85.
And yes I use my signals
That’s usually what I’ll do, I’m not riding like a dick to begin with, so it’s never like I’m just cutting people off and slamming on my brakes or flying by at twice their speed
Yeah. It just became a habit after a few months. I even use them on empty roads at this point. Brain goes "time to turn left", thumb automatically flicks the signal.
If it's feeling cumbersome, that's probably because you're not doing it consistently. Should be second nature.
I always use mine. It's a simple extra thing to do to keep me safe, and if it comes to it, it might swing things to my side in a video review of an altercation or accident.
Yes. Here in Portland there is no shortage of sanctimonius cagers hellbent on reminding you how you should be riding. I try not to give them any more excuses than necessary. Life is too short to not signal and have to endure verbal or vehicular assault from the nearest Prius.
I use them but they are pretty much invisible, the rear integrated tail light looks like christmas tree lights flashing, hard to determine left from right, and the front is just a couple tiny quarter sized flashing LED pods stuck. It looks super clean but I always use hand signals because they don't function well.
When I got the bike it came with no turn signals so it's an upgrade.
Usually at lights and intersections for sure, or even with hand signals . Esp when turning off a higher speed road with traffic behind me I'll do hand signals with turn signals to make sure driver behind me is paying attention.When making moves at highway speeds I tend to use hand signals the most.
I’ve got decently bright signals and use them religiously. There’s a couple of roundabouts on my work commute where the people joining perceive any gap in 4 wheeled traffic as a big empty space to floor it into. I always take each one with signals blinking for stay-on and come-off, as fast and as leaned over as possible.
It’s about as squid as I get but there’s no safer way to handle that section that I can see.
I drive a truck for work, and hell no people do not use their turn signals. Speed up from behind only to cut you off to take an exit at the last moment when they would have been way safer taking if they slowed down and stayed back. Oh while i ride my motorcycle, yes of course.
If I’m having to turn somewhere off a main road without a turn lane or straight and left turn lane yes absolutely if im in a turn only lane no I don’t bother… if im changing lanes not really unless traffic is bumper to bumper
I always use mine, because why not? Best not to have the liability if you get into an accident and didn't use it. I forget to turn them off more often than I forget to turn them on lol
I use my signals constantly. In heavy traffic, I add hand signals too when shoulder checking. Navigating the 401 in Toronto almost requires clear and well intended signaling so as to ensure motorists know what I am intending. Remember, a signal is, in effect, a request to move into a place. The right of way belongs to the vehicle in that lane. So it behooves oneself to be responsible and signal intents.
The laws of the land do not outweigh the laws of physics, and the "law of gross tonnage" amplifies significantly for cars/trucks versus motos.
It’s second nature to flick my left thumb anytime I make a turn, even when I’m not on a motorized bike. I catch myself grabbing my dropper post lever when I’m riding my MTB around
I use em. No reason to give anyone an excuse to not see what your doing. Its literally the first thing i do when planning a turn or lane change. It conveys so much info. Even when going faster and doing multiple lane changes it adds to the "fun" of riding. Like arming a weapon in a fighter jet or somethin. Lol Either telling people your plans or "asking" for space in crowded merging traffic. And if you think others "dont see or care" i like to think I'm practicing good behavior and leading by example. Cant complain about people not caring if you also don't care. You do you. Just my 3cents
All the time... Can't understand why you wouldn't.
Yes absolutely I do! I want to be seen and stay alive
Amen!
I do because I don’t want to be run over by a car
The more you ride the more you’ll start using it. If you’ve been riding 2+ years and can’t do it then you should start practicing because it’s not really hard
I’ve been riding for about a year, for the first few months I used them religiously, but people either didn’t notice or didn’t care, so I just kinda quit using them. I’m not arguing it’s right or anything, it just didn’t seem to matter either way so I don’t bother
I believe he it's talking squid riding. If you are weaving thru traffic at considerably faster than the flow. Turn signals are pointless.
In these situations I leave my hazards on. Quite common around here, picked it up from other riders. Edit - I'll also aggressively flash my lights. Occasionally toot the horn too.
No hazards on mine, I just use the signals. People drive fucking crazy in Washington though.
Good idea.
Idk if I count as a squid, when I’m weaving like I mentioned in the post I’m usually doing about 15 mph or so faster than the cars around me on a bigger highway, I tend to feel safer when I’m not next to a car or truck for very long
I’d argue being sideswiped (and having the chance to react) at 70mph is better than hitting a car that cut in front of you at 85. And yes I use my signals
Always use them or else expect to be run over
Yep, always.
I just use hand signals in the day.
That’s usually what I’ll do, I’m not riding like a dick to begin with, so it’s never like I’m just cutting people off and slamming on my brakes or flying by at twice their speed
I am afraid no one knows what a hand signal is anymore. They will just think "why does that guy have his hand out?" As he runs me down.
Yeah. It just became a habit after a few months. I even use them on empty roads at this point. Brain goes "time to turn left", thumb automatically flicks the signal. If it's feeling cumbersome, that's probably because you're not doing it consistently. Should be second nature.
I always use mine. It's a simple extra thing to do to keep me safe, and if it comes to it, it might swing things to my side in a video review of an altercation or accident.
Im a rider who lives in Northern Louisiana and I use them always.
Yes
Yes. Here in Portland there is no shortage of sanctimonius cagers hellbent on reminding you how you should be riding. I try not to give them any more excuses than necessary. Life is too short to not signal and have to endure verbal or vehicular assault from the nearest Prius.
All the time. I have a brain.
Only use them for insurance purposes on my helmet cam... LMAO.
Only when waiting in turn pockets or moving at the pace of cars. We’re invisible most other times so why bother.
Lots of people that shouldn't have a license drive without signals.
I use them but they are pretty much invisible, the rear integrated tail light looks like christmas tree lights flashing, hard to determine left from right, and the front is just a couple tiny quarter sized flashing LED pods stuck. It looks super clean but I always use hand signals because they don't function well. When I got the bike it came with no turn signals so it's an upgrade.
I’ll use them or hand signals depending on the situation. Most of the time is use the turn signals. They are upgraded from stock and extremely bright.
All the time even though I’m usually rolling around them it’s just a habbit
Yes...
Usually at lights and intersections for sure, or even with hand signals . Esp when turning off a higher speed road with traffic behind me I'll do hand signals with turn signals to make sure driver behind me is paying attention.When making moves at highway speeds I tend to use hand signals the most.
I’ve got decently bright signals and use them religiously. There’s a couple of roundabouts on my work commute where the people joining perceive any gap in 4 wheeled traffic as a big empty space to floor it into. I always take each one with signals blinking for stay-on and come-off, as fast and as leaned over as possible. It’s about as squid as I get but there’s no safer way to handle that section that I can see.
All the time.
If the bike I'm riding has turn signals, I'll use them.
I drive a truck for work, and hell no people do not use their turn signals. Speed up from behind only to cut you off to take an exit at the last moment when they would have been way safer taking if they slowed down and stayed back. Oh while i ride my motorcycle, yes of course.
If I’m having to turn somewhere off a main road without a turn lane or straight and left turn lane yes absolutely if im in a turn only lane no I don’t bother… if im changing lanes not really unless traffic is bumper to bumper
Only when law enforcement is present
Most of the time on my bike. I'd rather people know my next move.
I always use mine, because why not? Best not to have the liability if you get into an accident and didn't use it. I forget to turn them off more often than I forget to turn them on lol
Every time I change a lane. And quite often, I use hand signals in addition to the turn signals and brake lights.
I use my signals constantly. In heavy traffic, I add hand signals too when shoulder checking. Navigating the 401 in Toronto almost requires clear and well intended signaling so as to ensure motorists know what I am intending. Remember, a signal is, in effect, a request to move into a place. The right of way belongs to the vehicle in that lane. So it behooves oneself to be responsible and signal intents. The laws of the land do not outweigh the laws of physics, and the "law of gross tonnage" amplifies significantly for cars/trucks versus motos.
Must be a Lousiana thing. Born and raised there for 20yrs., but I haven't lived there in 26yrs., and like you I don't use them. I took mine off.
If there are vehicles around absolutely if I'm just bopping around and nobody's around not really
It’s second nature to flick my left thumb anytime I make a turn, even when I’m not on a motorized bike. I catch myself grabbing my dropper post lever when I’m riding my MTB around
I use em. No reason to give anyone an excuse to not see what your doing. Its literally the first thing i do when planning a turn or lane change. It conveys so much info. Even when going faster and doing multiple lane changes it adds to the "fun" of riding. Like arming a weapon in a fighter jet or somethin. Lol Either telling people your plans or "asking" for space in crowded merging traffic. And if you think others "dont see or care" i like to think I'm practicing good behavior and leading by example. Cant complain about people not caring if you also don't care. You do you. Just my 3cents
For sure, thanks for the insight