Hand signals provide quick communication regarding safety and navigation issues and are important to group riding safety.

Below are common hand signals used by OPHOG on organized rides. Generally, though not always, a hand signal is initiated by the Road Captain and is passed back through the pack.

Stop

Extend left (or right) arm at a 45-degree angle downward with the palm facing rearward.
Slow Down

Extend left (or right) arm and move up and down several times.
Left Turn

Raise left arm horizontally with elbow fully extended.
Right Turn

Raise left arm horizontally with arm bent at elbow 90 degrees vertically.
Hazard Left


Option #1: Extend left arm at a 45-degree angle and point toward the hazard.


Option #2 Shake and/or point to the hazard with left leg. (This is good to use when you shouldn’t take your hands off the handlebar.)
Hazard Right


Option #1: Extend right arm at a 45-degree angle and point toward the hazard.

Option #2 Shake and/or point to the hazard with right leg. (This is good to use when you shouldn’t take your hands off the handlebar.)
Staggered Formation

Raise left arm well above shoulder with left hand showing index and pinkie finger extended and continuously rotate hand.
Single File
Position left hand over helmet with index finger extended upward. Indicates Road Captain wants group in a single-file formation due to road conditions or hazards such as bicycles or pedestrians.
Tighten Up
Raise left arm with fist clenched and repeatedly move the fist up and down. Indicates Road Captain wants the group to reduce separation between riders.