A beginners’ guide to … hand signals and calls used on a group ride

Communication is vital on a group ride to keep everyone safe and together. Unless you’re up front, you won’t be able to see approaching hazards, and the further back you are, the harder it becomes. Similarly, those at the front won’t be able to detect anything coming from the back of the group.

Parked cars, approaching vehicles, potholes, changes in direction or pace, even horses in the road, all should be communicated to the whole group, with enough notice to react accordingly.

It’s the collective responsibility of all group members to communicate potential hazards, from front to back and back to front, by passing any calls and signals along the line.

However, if you’re new to group riding it might feel as if everyone’s talking – and signing – in a completely different language. Here we identify some of the most commonly used calls and hand signals in the UK so you can use them with confidence.

Keep in mind, though, that groups may have their own versions and etiquette when it comes to signal and calls. The group leader should let you know what these are before setting off.

Hand signals and calls may also differ in other countries. If you’re riding abroad, check first!

If you’re looking to join a group ride for the first time and you’re not sure what to expect, read our beginners’ guide.

Some top tips

• If you’re on the front, scan ahead for obstacles and signal them to the rest of the group
• Be clear and loud
• Be sure to pass the message on to the rider behind you (or in front)
• Listen for the group leader’s calls and always obey them
• If you’re at the back, always communicate vehicles approaching from behind
• Use your judgment – you don’t have to point out every bump in the road
• As well as obstacles, communicate changes in movement: stopping, slowing down, turning left or right

The main hand signals

Hand signals are the group cyclist’s friend. They’re easier to communicate than shouting above the sound of traffic, simple and easy to use. Here are some of the main ones you should know.

Stopping

Raise a hand above your head, similar to waving or putting your hand up in class. Usually in the UK you would use your right hand, the one that’s to your outside. This is true of most other hand signals, although there are some notable exceptions. Some of which are described below.

An alternative used by some people is to hold the right hand straight down alongside the body, with the fingers pointing down.

Slowing down

Hold your hand down alongside the body with the fingers pointing. Make an up and down motion a bit like patting an invisible dog.

Turning left or right

You probably remember this one from Cycling Proficiency/Bikeability. Hold out your arm, parallel to the ground, in the direction you’re turning. Use your right arm to turn and the left to go left.

Move into the road

If you need to move out into the road to avoid an obstruction such as a parked car, bend the opposite arm parallel behind your back with the fingers pointing in the direction you need to move.

Use your left arm to indicate that you’re going right, for example. This is the direction you’ll most often be going on UK roads.

Hazard on the road

This is used to indicate something like glass, a pothole or rock in the road. Something that might cause a puncture or collision. Point down at the hazard while making a circular motion with your hand. Use the arm on the same side as the hazard.

Loose gravel or water on the road

This is to point out anything that might make your tyre slip. It can also be used to indicate ice on the road, but this should be accompanied by the call ‘Ice!’.

With your arm held down alongside your body and your hand facing palm down, wave your hand back and forth in a semi-circle.

Thank you

This can make the world of difference when it comes to good road-user relations. If a driver has waited for your group to pass or a fellow rider who has moved over to give you space, a simple thumbs-up or raised open hand shows your appreciation.

It’s also nice to acknowledge other groups and solo riders with a nod of the head or a cheery ‘Morning!’.

Be nice out there!

Lesser-known hand signals

A couple of less commonly used signals.

Hazards running across the road

This is to indicate some like rail tracks, cattle grids or speed bumps – anything that runs across the whole of the road ahead. Take your arm behind your back, point down towards the road surface and wave your hand side to side. Alternatively, some people do this with their hand held out to the side.

Come past

A flick of the elbow lets the rider behind know that you’re asking them to pass you. This is especially important if you’ve taken your turn on the front and are ready to drop back.

Calls

You don’t have to shout out everything – that could get rather loud and confusing. But some obstacles or movements require a verbal warning, sometimes alongside a hand signal. As with signals, make sure to pass any calls along the line.

“Car up”/“Car back”

This is an important one – warning other riders of an approaching vehicle. If the car is coming from the front, shout “Car up!”; from behind, it’s “Car back!”

The call can be adapted for any other road user, too, such as another bike, a runner, horse and so on.

“Car right”/“Car left”

These calls are used at junctions to warn the group of cars approaching from either direction so they don’t pull out.

“Clear”

This is to indicate that it’s safe for the whole group to cross a junction. Make sure it really is clear before shouting. While ultimately each rider is responsible for their own safety, all group members should be looking out for each other.

“Stopping”

An obvious one! If the group is coming to a halt for any reason – a puncture, approaching a junction and so on – let all members know.

“Slowing”

Similarly, if the group needs to back off the pace – to avoid a potential hazard such as a dog in the road, for example – let the riders know by calling “Slowing!” An alternative is “Easy!”

Both this and “Stopping!” should be accompanied by their respective hand signals. Similarly, you can call “Hazard!” to point out a particularly large pothole.

“Out”/“In”

These indicate the need to move out into the road to avoid an obstacle such as a parked car and then back in again once the obstacle has been passed. Again, these calls should be accompanied by the hand signals.

“On the right”/“On the left”

This is to let the rider in front of you know that you’re about to pass them, either on the right or left. Usually in the UK you will pull out on the  right but on occasion it might be safer to go left.

This is a good one to employ even on solo rides or commutes when you’re passing another rider. If they know you’re coming past it won’t be a surprise and they’ll know not to pull out and potentially into you.

And finally it’s always nice to thank other road users if they’ve waited or pulled over for you, while a cheery “Morning!”, “Hello!” or “Afternoon!” to other riders is generally appreciated.

This list isn’t exhaustive, but it covers the main hand signals and calls you’ll need on a group ride. Be sure to learn them and use them with confidence. And most importantly, enjoy the ride!