The bike shop guy told me to ditch my brake lights for hand signals

Last month at Broadway Bike Shop on 3rd, the mechanic said brake lights just attract thieves and I should learn proper hand signals instead. He was totally right, I pulled up to a stop sign last week and some dude on a moped almost rear ended me because my hand signal was too slow. Has anyone else had a close call relying on just hand signals?

3 comments

3 Comments

miaa4114d ago

Hold up, I gotta disagree with that mechanic. Brake lights aren't "thief magnets," they're basic safety gear. Hand signals are fine and all, but in real traffic they're easy to miss especially at night or in bad weather. You mentioned a moped almost hit you, and that's exactly the problem. Your brake light is instant and bright, it tells drivers behind you to stop now not in a few seconds while they figure out a hand gesture. Plus, most states legally require functioning lights on bikes after dark, so telling someone to ditch them is bad advice. Keep both for sure, that way you're covered no matter what.

andrew_wood7213d agoMost Upvoted

Nah man, hand signals work fine if you use em right.

cooper.reese13d ago

Last time I tried hand signals in the rain I probably just looked like I was swatting at a mosquito, so yeah, I'll keep my brake lights thanks.