The Right Turn

For all the dangers that confront a road biker on each and every ride, nothing compares to the anticipation, thrill and excitement one feels in negotiating that two-wheeled vehicle through motorists, pedestrians, potholes and other gaps on the road.

As a safety or precautionary measure, how does a biker let others know of his direction while on the road?

A fully functioning brake light and turn signals are a must for every car on the road.

Bicycles though, including mine, are not equipped with these warning devices. That is why, I resort to hand signals to let the others know where I am going. As bikers, due to the relative size of their 2-wheeled vehicle compared to 4 or even 3-wheeled vehicles, must take the rightmost side of the road, the left arm understandably is the one used for ALL hand signals.

On a few occasions in the past, while riding downhill on a narrow two-lane road at the speed of about 36 km/hr., with an on-coming car on the opposite lane and with the edge of my side of the pavement dropping off to a ditch, I took the whole lane, that is, I rode on the middle of my lane, to prevent the impatient, honk-addicted motorist behind me from overtaking. At the same time, to warn him ---either to chill-out, slow down or just to let him know of my crazed dare-to-hit-me-if-you-can or will-not-allow-you-to-overtake mindset --- I bent my left arm to a 90 degree angle, fingers pointed upward as shown in the photo above.

If you were the irate motorist behind me, would you have known what said L-shape, arm up signal meant? It indicates that the biker in front of you intends to execute a RIGHT TURN.

A right turn?! Who would have thought of it? Certainly, not I.

Imagine the confusion I must have caused if those annoyed motorists behind me were familiar with internationally accepted bike traffic rules.

Of course, a left-turn signal is a no-brainer. It is done by holding the left arm straight out to the left.

What about a stop signal? If you see a biker bends his elbow and points his arm downward in an awkward upside down L-shape figure, fingers pointing to the ground… do not panic. The biker did not accidentally twist or mangle his elbow. He is just signaling that he is getting ready to STOP.

Oh well, why can’t bike manufacturers just develop a brake system similar to that of the cars? Honestly, I won’t mind if they make mine the size of a frisbee.

A Biker's Perspective

As a motorist, Bicyclists and Motorcyclists top my list of Road Nuisances. Of course, of course…they have equal rights as I do on the road. Consider though the numerous distractions that motorists already have to contend with----ubiquitous pedestrians, unenlightened jeepney, bus and truck drivers who think of themselves as “kings of the road” and beyond traffic rules, tricycle and trisikad drivers who appear to be under the mistaken belief that they are invincible, cellphones---- surely, bicyclists are better off the road than on it.

But have you ever look at the road from a biker’s perspective?

From my side of the world, especially my usual Bacolod-Murcia bike route, potholes, sugarcane stalks and loose stones on the road are a common sight.


To a motorist, the most probably that a pothole can do is to cause damage to the shocks or cause a dent to his vehicle. To a biker, however, potholes and fresh sugarcane stalks are nightmares as any abrupt change in the road surface can cause one to lose control and veer right into the path of a car or truck running in the same direction.

The Bacolod-Murcia road is about 10 km. from my place, a great portion of which consists of narrow 2-lane roads. Not only does it not have shoulders (defined as a part of the road where drivers may stop in an emergency) but, more often, the edge of the concrete pavement is notably higher than adjoining soil, making like a 2-step stairs. As you can see, riding too close to the edge is…well…suicidal.

Taking my eyes off the pavement, large cattle, especially carabaos, goats and stray dogs are also common sight. I saw a cyclist crashed directly into dog in a tour de france event. The dog got away unscathed but the impact crumpled the cyclist’s bike frame into a mass of twisted metal. Then on, I see dogs on a different light…as bright yellow fluorescent warning signs.

My most dreaded companions on the road are the buses and the haulers. Can you imagine yourself riding beside these monstrosities?

Especially if they overtake you 3 in a row!!! Its like biking on a hanging tight rope... the slightest mistake could be fatal.

Now, who could argue that even road biking should be categorized as an extreme sport?