Bike Hand Signals Intersection Course

Students chalk a small neighborhood with an intersection, a traffic circle, a crosswalk, and signs, then ride bikes in roles as cyclists, pedestrians, traffic lights, and observers. They practice hand signals, right-of-way, and safe riding.

How to play

1. Before class, chalk two crossing streets, a traffic circle, and a crosswalk, with cardstock stop, yield, and traffic light signs.
2. Practice the signals on foot (4 min): left arm out for a left turn, right arm out (or left arm bent up) for a right turn, and arm down with palm back to stop.
3. Roles (2 min): 8 cyclists, 6 pedestrians, 2 traffic lights who flip every 20 seconds, 4 observers with a checklist, and 5 checking bikes and helmets.
4. Each cyclist gets a destination (for example, "second exit on the traffic circle") and must get there looking back, signaling, and yielding; observers record hits and misses.
5. Rotate roles every 6 minutes until everyone has been a cyclist (24 min).
6. Finish by discussing the most common mistakes and how to avoid them on real streets.

Rules

• Every cyclist wears a properly buckled helmet: two fingers between the strap and the chin.
• At a stop sign, come to a complete stop with one foot down before going.
• Top speed is a cruising pace: anyone who races or passes sits out one round.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: act as a traffic light or observer, or ride an adaptive bike if available.
• Deaf or hard of hearing: traffic lights use only visual signals.
• Inexperienced riders start with the simple intersection; skilled riders take routes with several turns.

Learning goals

• Use hand signals correctly while riding.
• Follow right-of-way rules at intersections, traffic circles, and crosswalks.
• Evaluate others' riding using traffic safety criteria.

Equipment for a class of 25

• bikes: 8
• helmets: 8
• cones: 20
• chalk: 10
• cardstock: 8

Teacher tip

Ask students to bring a bike and helmet ahead of time and keep a few school ones as backups. The most common mistake is signaling without looking back first; drill look, signal, turn.

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