Hand signals Colorado cyclists must know to follow the law, bike etiquette, and stay safe.

Cyclists need to know how to use hand signals to alert other road users of their intended maneuvers. Some hand signals are required by law and others are common bike etiquette. Here is a list of hand signals bicyclists must use, should use, and should not use to safely ride.

Colorado Required Hand Signals by Bicyclists

Colorado law requires cyclists signal their intention to turn, stop, and decrease their speed. These signals must be made continuously for 100 feet before turning or stopping, unless it is not safe to control or operate your bike with one hand continuously off the handlebar. Cyclists must also continue to signal their intention to turn while stopped and waiting to turn. These signals must be made when riding on roadways and bicycle paths/trails whether paved or unpaved and shared with pedestrians and other low power devices. While there is no Colorado state law about signaling on bike paths, local codes, rules and regulations typically do. For example, Denver Parks & Recreation rules and regulations require cyclists to comply with all other state laws and local laws applicable to bicycles while cycling on park trails and areas designated as a Regional Trails like the Cherry Creek Regional Trial and the High Line Canal Trail.

Left Turn.

To signal a left turn or movement left such as a lane change, fully extend your left arm horizontally straight out away from your body to the left.

Right Turn. 

For a right turn or movement right, a cyclist has two options. Either extend the right arm horizontally straight out to the right or extend the left arm out to the side with the elbow bent upward forming a 90-degree angle.

Stop or Slowing. 

To signal a stop or slowing, extend the arm and hand downward to the side. The left arm is typically shown to demonstrate this and is extended out to the side and with the elbow bent at 90 degrees with the forearm and hand pointing down to the ground.  This may likely be due to motor vehicle drivers in the US are located on the left side of the vehicle and need to bend their arm at the elbow out the window. The Colorado state statute does not require a cyclist use the left arm or that the elbow is bent to signal a stop or slowing, but the left arm is typically the most common.

Hand signals for group bike riding.

Cyclists commonly use hand signals when riding in a group to communicate with the group and other road users. Verbal signals may also be used like calling out stopping, car back, car ahead, and other actions or maneuvers when you cannot safely take your hands off the handlebars or there is a large group of riders and the signals may not be able to be shared quickly enough through the group. While some of these are not legally required, they are common bike etiquette, will help keep you and others around you safer, and increase your chances of a repeat invitation back to the group ride. There may be other hand signals and different variations of these signals. 

Stopping.

You may perform the hand signal mentioned above to signal stopping or by placing your hand in middle of your lower back with a closed fist.  In a very large group of riders you may place your arm straight up to signal stopping. This is typically done when you have a mechanical problem like a flat tire and you cannot continue. With a raised arm the other rider in the large group can be alerted to safely ride around you.

Slowing.

 You can extend your arm straight down or place your arm and hand out to the side with palm down parallel to the road and move your arm and hand up and down in a pumping motion or like petting a dog.

Rider behind you should move over.

To signal there is an obstacle or hazard on the side of the road that the rider behind you should move over for safety, like a pedestrian, a parked car, sewer grate, or in the case of a narrow bike path a road user coming in the other direction, it is common to signal to the riders behind you to move over to avoid what is ahead. A rider should indicate to a rider behind them to move over by placing the arm behind the back while moving an open hand in a sweeping or waving motion in the direction to move toward. Typically, the right arm will be used to motion the rider behind move left and the left arm will be used to motion to the rider to move or stay to the right.

Watch for hazard ahead.

To alert the rider behind you that there is a road hazard to look for and be careful, point down to the ground to the side of the upcoming hazard such as a pothole or a manhole or utility cover, or other hazard ahead in the road for the rider to be aware.

Watch for road debris ahead.

To signal there is road debris ahead like gravel, sand, or glass, with your arm out to your side, move your hand side to side like you would if you aren’t feeling well. You may also give signal to slow down by then pumping your hand up and down as mentioned above.

Turning, changing lanes, or moving over.

Simply point with your arm in the direction you intend to move or turn before you move over or turn. Look over your shoulder to confirm it is clear before moving in the intended direction.

Moving off the front of the group.

 When riding and the front of the group of cyclists and you want to signal you are moving off the front of the group and dropping back, instead of signaling like you would for a turn, riders give a single sharp flick of your elbow outward on the side you will move to while still holding onto the handlebars. Other riders may place their hand or fist on their hip for this signal. Check over your shoulder to make sure it is clear behind you and there is enough room.

The rider behind should go ahead of you.

To signal a rider behind you to move ahead, gesture with your arm down to your side by repeatedly swinging your arm with hand open in a forward motion. You can also slow to allow them to easily pass you.

Thank You and Hello.

It is good etiquette to acknowledge and show your appreciation for other road users’ safe and courteous behavior, such as a safe pass, allowing you to pass, or letting you proceed ahead of them. A thank you wave, and a head nod is simple and an effective way to acknowledge and show your appreciation. A wave is also common when cyclists pass each other in opposite directions. These are by no means required signals but helps generate community and respect among cyclists and other road users such as motor vehicle drivers.

Hand signals you should not perform.

The hand gesture you should not perform while riding your bicycle that we all know is the middle finger. Using it could be considered aggressive and may escalate the situation that made you feel the need to perform this hand signal. It’s always best to back off and give way to any aggressive or careless driver and let them go on their way. Letting the situation pass and making it home in one piece is a far better outcome than any fleeting satisfaction you may feel by responding in kind. If the other driver displays a disregard for your safety as a human, nothing you do to engage them is likely to shame them or change their behavior. Ignoring people who seek conflict does more than matching their behavior, you take the high road and demonstrate adult behavior. Injuries that could result from engaging in aggressive behavior will last much longer, possibly for life or worse, death. Remaining calm helps build a better reputation for the cycling community and de-escalation could help save the next cyclist that motorist meets on the road. If you still feel strong enough about sending a signal to that driver, instead of a hand signal, you can contact the Colorado State Patrol (*CSP *277) to report the aggressive driver. You will need to provide the vehicle description, license plate number, location and direction of travel, driver description, and the aggressive driving behavior being demonstrated.

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If you found this post helpful, you might also like to explore the other topics listed below and the many other topics in our comprehensive Safety & Prevention Guide, Brain Injury Guide, and Bike Injury Guide.