Author: argirot

Motorcycle hand signals help riders communicate with each other and stay safe. 

Hand signals

• Slow down: Extend your arm and swing your palm down toward the road 
• Speed up: Extend your left arm and make an upward gesture with your palm facing the sky 
• Pull off: Point to your head using just your thumb to indicate it’s time to pull over at the nearest pit stop 
• Turn left: Hold your left arm out straight at your side 
• Turn right: Hold your left arm out at your side and bend up at the elbow to make a right angle, and make a fist 
• Stop: Bend elbow 90 degrees, keep palm open, point fingers down to road 
• Fuel stop: Tap on the top of your helmet with your open palm 

Tips for using hand signals 

• Use clear, unambiguous signals
• Use the same signals every time
• Make sure your signals are visible to other riders
• Practice regularly to develop fluency and confidence

Lane filtering is when a motorcyclist moves between stopped vehicles in the same lane of traffic. It’s legal in Arizona under certain conditions. The law’s purpose is to improve safety and efficiency for motorcyclists. 

When is lane filtering legal?

• When traffic is stopped 
• On roads with a speed limit of 45 miles per hour or less 
• When the motorcyclist is traveling at 15 miles per hour or less 
• On streets with at least two adjacent lanes in the same direction 

Benefits of lane filtering Reduces rear-end collisions, Alleviates traffic congestion, and Reduces the risk of motorcycles overheating. 

How to stay safe

• Drivers should be aware of lane filtering and exercise caution around motorcycles 
• Motorcyclists should operate their vehicles with proper care 

The Motorcycle Awareness Program (M.A.P.)is an educational program aimed at the target audience of high school students in drivers education classes. There has been a small group of instructors who have volunteered to present the M.A.P. to students throughout the state, but we need more instructors.

Remember, that ABATE stands for EDUCATE. Our purpose is to spread the word about safe motorcycling and promote a positive image of motorcyclists. What better way to speak to the future drivers of our state. The students hopefully, will not only be better equipped car and truck drivers but will also be more aware and watch out for us.

To become and instructor you must:

1. Be available during the day: The presentations in driver’s education classes last about an hour during the school day. There may as many as 5 classes in one day. 

2. Be willing to stand up in front of a group of about 30 high school students and speak. That sounds easier than you think. You need to be able to gently maintain control of the group. 

3. Know the material being presented. There is an outline for all presenters to follow so there is uniformity in the material presented. 

4. Commit to teaching at least to classes per school year. We hope to have at least one volunteer instructor in each ABATE chapter. That person will attend an instructor class (about 4 hours), attend a M.A.P. with an experienced instructor, and teach a class with an experienced instructor in attendance. When the new instructor is comfortable and the experienced instructor assesses him/her to be ready, the new instructor may begin teaching alone. The mentor program assures that everyone is teaching the same material and everyone has support. 

5. Provide record of teaching to M.A.P. Coordinator on a consistent basis.

This is your opportunity to get the word out to new drivers about the importance of sharing the road with motorcyclists. This is your opportunity to support the mission and vision of ABATE in your community.

For more information, contact Jim Silk at jpsilk2264@gmail.com or 602-312-1927 .