Bike left turn signal
A cyclist’s left arm held straight out to the side means they are about to turn left, the same signal a driver gives.
Easily confused with
How to read it
New York’s Vehicle and Traffic Law §1237, on bicyclists’ signals, defines a left turn as “left hand and arm extended horizontally”, and the Texas Driver Handbook describes bicyclists “using their left arm pointed horizontally to signal a left turn”. NHTSA’s hand signals handout for young cyclists describes the left arm out sideways with all fingers extended, or the index finger pointing left. It is the driver’s Left turn hand signal, given from the bike. The California Driver’s Handbook puts it more generally: bicyclists may signal a turn with their arm held straight out, pointing in the direction they plan to turn.
Also searched as: bicycle left turn signal, bike hand signals left, cycling left turn hand signal.
Rules vary by state and country. This explains what each signal means in the state vehicle codes, driver handbooks and the UK Highway Code it cites; it isn’t legal advice.
Holding the signal
Florida’s §316.155 has a turn signal given continuously for the last 100 feet before the turn, with an exception for cyclists: a hand signal “need not be given continuously by a bicyclist if the hand is needed in the control or operation of the bicycle”.
In the UK and Ireland
Cyclists there give the same signal. Ireland’s Road Traffic Regulations describe a cyclist’s left turn as the left arm and hand extended fully to the left, palm to the front; a driver’s left turn there is made with the right arm, rotated anti-clockwise. See UK arm signals (Highway Code).
Read next
- Next in Driving and cycling hand signalsBike right turn signal (right arm out)A cyclist’s right arm held straight out to the side means they are about to turn right. California, Florida and New York law allow it as a cyclist’s alternative to the left arm pointing up.
- The same shape in Lab safety symbolsNo open flame sign (P003)A red ring and diagonal bar across a lit match means open flames are forbidden where the sign is posted, and smoking with them. It is sign P003 in ISO 7010.
More driving and cycling hand signals
The same shape elsewhere
Browse symbols drawn with lines.
Sources
- New York Vehicle and Traffic Law §1237: Method of giving hand and arm signals by bicyclists, N.Y. Veh. & Traf. Law §1237, New York State Senate, §1237(1)–(3)
- Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), DL-7, revised January 2026, chapters 6 and 9, Texas Department of Public Safety, Chapter 6, How to Signal; Bicycles, Do’s
- Hand Signals (handout 8009), NHTSA handout 8009-082912-v2, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Hand Signals: left turn, right turn, alternative right turn, stopping or slowing
- California Driver’s Handbook: Introduction to driving (Signaling), California Driver’s Handbook, California Department of Motor Vehicles, Signaling; Communicating with other drivers
- Florida Statutes §316.155: When signal required, Fla. Stat. §316.155 (2026), The Florida Legislature, §316.155(2)–(3)
- Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997, Second Schedule: Signals, S.I. No. 182 of 1997, Second Schedule, Table A, Law Reform Commission of Ireland (Revised Acts), Table A: Signals to other road users
Researched, edited and approved by Rory Hansen before publishing. Last reviewed October 9, 2026. How we research
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