Central Arkansas 'One-Dirty-Five' RIDING SIGNALS (Condensed)
Dated: Dec. 02, 2005

'One-Diry-Five' Signals All signals initiate with the Ride Leader, except "Attention" and the "Hazard" signals which can originate from any rider - and from any who becomes aware of a potential hazard:

Right Turn: The right turn signal on the bike is turned on, then the Left arm is held upright, bent at the elbow, with the fist close and the thumb out (pointing right). The turn is not initiated until the Ride Leader actually moves.
Left Turn: The left turn signal on the bike is turned on, and then the Left arm lowered and out-thrust from the body with TWO OR MORE FINGERS POINTED OUTWARD. Note: one finger (of either hand) is used to point to road hazards as noted below. The turn is not initiated until the Ride Leader actually moves.

Single-Up: When conditions warrant single file (narrow road, anticipated wind-blast from trucks, obstruction, pedestrians, etc.) the Ride Leader will raise his left hand straight up, holding up just his index finger. All other riders will repeat this, and the two columns will merge into one - all the while remaining at 3-second intervals. It is always good form to "single-up" and move away from big rigs when passing/being passed.
Staggered Formation: To resume the staggered formation, the Ride Leader will RAISE TWO-FINGERS in a "V" shape to indicate a change from Single Formation to Staggered Formation - maintaining the 3-second intervals.
Loosen-Up Formation: This signal may be given during 'Single-Up' or 'Staggered' formation - the Ride Leader will raise his left hand with thumb and pinky out, other fingers closed, rotating his wrist back and forth to indicate the formation need to put more 'spacing' between riders.
Tighten Formation: When the Ride Leader feels that the formation should be tighter (bikes closer together), he raises his left hand with fingers spread wide and repeatedly closes them into a fist. All other riders repeat this and close up all unnecessary space in the formation.

Slow Down/Prepare to Stop: Right hand and palm thrust outward and down from the body with the right palm facing the riders behind.
Slow Down/Ease Off: Right hand thrust outward from the body and may include using an up-and-down movement of the arm & with the palm parallel to the pavement.

Attention: Left (or Right) hand 'patting' the top of the rider's head (or helmet). If no other Hand Signal then this means (Bear Sign). Point at mouth means (Hungry). Point at gas tank means (Need Gas Stop). Point at 'self' means (Need to Stop).

Move Into Lane - aka: Lane Change: When merging onto Interstates or ANY MUTLI-LANE road, the Ride Leader will indicate the Lane the formation is to move into by POINTING at the Lane. Be aware that it is sometimes necessary to move into the first available lane AND THEN move into the NEXT LANE; so TWO SIGNALS will occur one-after-the-other (1) Point to 1st lane, and when the formation is assembled, immediately give (2) LEFT-TURN (see above) signal to indicate a LANE CHANGE.

Speed Up: Left arm upright, bent at elbow, and INDEX FINGER used to make CIRCLE MOTION to INDICATE formation is to SPEED UP. Formation is to increase speed - for various reasons, such as 'Prepare to Pass', or 'MOVE INTO LANE', or for any other reason determined by the Ride Leader as necessary.
Pass Signal: The "Speed Up" signal is given -- then Hand & Finger is POINTED AHEAD to indicate formation is to pass. This combination of signals is most often preceded by the Ride Leader turning on his signal (such as done on a Lane Change) to indicate to the formation to PREPARE FOR A LANE CHANGE - SIC PASSING. All riders should turn on their turn signals when this occurs, but the pass or turn is not initiated until the signal to turn or pass is given and the Ride Leader initiates the action.

Road Hazard: This signal that can be initiated by ANYONE. Anyone seeing a hazardous condition on the road surface (road kill, oil, gravel, debris, water, ice, significant pot hole, etc.) will POINT at it using the INDEX FINGER. -- AND if this in not practical, use a FOOT removed from the bike's peg or floorboard to point at the hazard. Those behind you can use EITHER the finger or foot to pass on the hazard signal.
Formation Hazard: This signal can also be initiated by anyone. The signal is initiated by a Rider POINTING at a perceived hazard. IT'S PURPOSE IS TO MAKE THE FORMATION "AWARE" of possible hazards... and ANYONE can so indicate or POINT to such a perceived possible hazard. It may be a such as an intersecting vehicle (a vehicle coming in from a side road that MAY pose a danger or hazard to the ride formation), a kid on a 4-wheeler running along side the road who doesn't seem to notice the approaching formation of Riders, a dog running out from a farm house to bark at the bikes passing, or children playing too close to the road.

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