Hand signals
On a ride the engine noise and the helmet mean you cannot talk, so we use a set of hand and foot signals. The rule is simple: whatever the lead does, you do, and the rider behind you does — the signal travels all the way to the sweep. Every icon below is drawn rear view: this is the rider ahead of you, seen from behind, so the left of the picture is the road's left.
How the signals travel
The lead sees the junction, the pothole or the check-post first. If only the lead signals, the rider at the back finds out by hitting it. So every rider repeats the signal the instant they read it from the rider ahead — hold it long enough for the next person to catch, then bring your hand back to the bar. By the time it reaches the sweep, the whole group has had warning.
Signal with your left hand wherever you can — your right hand is on the throttle and front brake. Use a foot to point at hazards low on the throttle side, where a hand would be unsafe. Never take a hand off the bar mid-corner or under braking: wait for a safe moment, or simply slow and let your brake light do the talking. All of these are briefed out loud before departure.
The signals
Left turn
Left arm straight out to the side, flat, palm forward. Means the group turns left ahead. Hold it until the rider behind clearly has it, then bring your hand back to the bar and take the turn.
Right turn
Left arm out, then bent up at the elbow so the forearm points straight up, palm forward — the same shape a cyclist uses, because your right hand is on the throttle. Means the group turns right ahead.
Slow down
Left arm out and angled down about 45°, palm to the ground, patting the air two or three times. Means ease off now — a junction, traffic, a village, a bad surface. Cover your brakes and pass it back.
Stop
Left arm down to the side, hand closed in a fist, held still (no patting — that is what tells it apart from ‘slow down’). Means the whole group is stopping. Brake smoothly, keep your gap, put a foot down only when you have stopped.
Pick up the pace
Left arm swept forward and up in a scooping ‘come on’ motion, a few times. Means the group is riding too slow or has bunched up on a clear road — lift the pace a little, close the gaps, stay within your own limit.
Hazard on the left
Left arm pointed down at the road, index finger extended at the thing to miss — a pothole, rock, broken edge or oil patch on the left. Point for as long as it is safe, then pass it back. If pointing is unsafe mid-corner, just slow and let your brake light do the talking.
Hazard on the right (foot)
Both hands stay on the bars; your right leg comes off the peg and points down at the road on the right. Used for a hazard on the throttle side where you cannot spare a hand. The next rider does the same.
Speed breaker / bump
Left arm out, hand flat, with a raised ‘hump’ drawn over it — hand rises and dips once or twice. Means a speed breaker, rumble strip or a sharp ridge across the road. Sit up, roll off, take it square and slow.
Rough road / broken surface
Left arm down, hand open, sweeping side to side low over the road — a whole stretch of potholes, broken tar or dug-up surface rather than one hole. Means pick your line, spread out, and do not follow nose-to-tail.
Loose surface — gravel or sand
Left arm out, fingers spread wide and waggled. Means loose gravel, sand, mud or wet leaves ahead — low grip. Smooth throttle, no sudden brakes or steering, look where you want to go.
Police / check-post ahead
Left hand laid flat on the top of the helmet. Means a police check-post, speed trap or barrier ahead — roll off, ride legally, papers and licence ready, no stunting, close the group up and go through calmly.
Single file
Left arm up, one finger raised straight above the helmet. Means form a single line — narrow road, bridge, oncoming traffic, a village bazaar. Move into one lane, keep a stagger gap, hold it until the ‘double file’ call.
Double file / pair up
Left arm up, two fingers raised (a V) above the helmet. Means the road is wide and clear enough to ride in two staggered columns again. Only close up into pairs if you are comfortable riding beside someone; otherwise stay single and leave the gap.
Close up / follow me
Left hand swept forward over the helmet, palm forward, waving the group on. Means you have dropped too far back — close the gap and stay with the rider ahead. Used when the group is stringing out or someone is about to lose sight of the bike in front.
Come through / you lead
Left arm swung forward from the hip in the direction of travel, often with a point at one particular rider. From the lead it means ‘come past and take the front’; from any rider it means ‘the road ahead is clear, you can overtake me’. Only go when you can see it is clear.
Pull off / stopping for a break
Left arm out and angled down toward the verge, pointing off the road a few times. Means we are pulling off here — a lay-by, a dhaba, a viewpoint. Indicate, check your mirror, and leave room for the riders behind to pull in too.
Your indicator is still on
Left hand opening and closing like a blinker, down by the hip, then a ‘cut’ gesture. Means you forgot to cancel your indicator after a turn — a common one, and dangerous, because the rider behind reads it as ‘about to turn’. Glance at your dash and switch it off.
Fuel stop
Left hand points down at the tank, then a pump gesture. Means the next fuel stop is the plan — top up whether you need it or not, because on the hill and desert routes the gap to the one after can be long. The lead calls this well before anyone is low.
Tea / comfort stop
Left hand to the front of the helmet, like drinking from a cup. Means stopping for chai, water and a stretch at the next suitable place — not fuel, not a mechanical problem, just a break. Five minutes off the bike every hour or so keeps everyone sharp.
Printable pocket card
Print this page (your browser's print option prints just the card below), or screenshot it before you lose signal. It lays out two-up, folded to fit a jacket pocket.
Learn the rest of the theory
The ride code covers pace, spacing, the marker system and overtaking. Read it before your first ride.