Over the last 4 weeks, I have logged over a 1000 miles riding Vilas, Oneida, and Iron counties in Wisconsin........I started noticing that certain groups of riders failed to hand signal......so of course I started to pay closer attention and this is what I un-scientifically figured out........The tread of non-signaling riders were male under the age of 30..........This past Sat night I approched a group of males in there low 20's while sitting in the Tiki bar in St. germain, I asked them "whats up with your generation of rides feeling they don't have to hand signal" and to my surprise, they "this group of young men" also have noticed this trend and were complaining also to me about the safety issues created by NOT using hand signals.........so I ask you young "backpack wearing, shovel carrying, itunes connected, gopro running young guys" WHY CANT YOU HAND SIGNAL ????
After much study, whats happening to hand signals ??????????????????
- Thread starter shelby369
- Start date
snowdance
Member
I fall into the category you describe (minus headphones) and i'm 41 years old, use hand signals when appropriate. Having my snowmobile under control has a higher priority than signaling. Don't really appreciate being lumped into a category based on your short term observations.
I do think hand signals are a little overrated. Bottom line people need to be in control of their snowmobile and drive within their ability. If I relied on hand signals to keep me safe, then i'd probably be dead by now...
So I guess the respect we show our fellow sledders is " It's all about me and my sledding and I don't care about my fellow sledders"??? Ive been sledding since the late 70's and have run 50,000 plus miles on all different types of sleds and trail conditions.... I seem to always be able to signal out of respect for me fellow sledder........when I'm the lead guy on a twisty trail, it's nice to know when the last guy in the opposite group goes bye..... I guess raising a fist 8 inches up is a huge safty issue........maybe slow down then.........
hoffmansledder
New member
I was going to start this thread last night just to stir the pot. It's that time of the year again folks, step right up and throw out that opinion!!
snowdance
Member
Considering i've been snowmobiling for 25 years and never been involved in any type of snowmobile accident. I think I must be doing something right. I'm usually the leader of our group and have always been respectful and courteous. I do put myself first and then my fellow sledder next, it's only common sense. Thanks for your advice on slowing down, but i've always got my snowmobile under control and it sounds like your the one having issues...
Why then doeas the Wisconsin DNR teach and make it a big part of their snowmobile safty class to hand signal fellow sledders ??? beleive it or not, they ask hand signal questions on the test and the test takers don't get to opt out of the questions because they "feel they dont have to signal"
I guess it's each to his own, I respect my fellow sledders and will continue to communicate by hand.............some see white, some see black.
I guess it's each to his own, I respect my fellow sledders and will continue to communicate by hand.............some see white, some see black.
Rupp Collector
Active member
Hand signals are a waste of time & effort. I know there are fellow sledders on the trail. Hand signals I beleive provide a false sense of security to some riders. Last guy in the pack shows his fist, so this then means yer good to go no more sleds the rest of the day. How bout on the Bill Nichols trail a week ago. We past a younger man and woman sitting with their helmets off and they even signalled, nearly lost control and fell off my sled, that's how dangerous signalling can be. If I do signal it's usually that there are 10 or more comming when in reality there's only the two of us.
L
lenny
Guest
with all due respect,,,you have determined that signaling is a respect issue? You stated " It's all about me and my sledding and I don't care about my fellow sledders"???
Based on your interpretation, no answer anyone gives you will satisfy your need.
The truth is, signaling increases the risk of incident more so than not signaling. Yesterday I was leading a group of 9 and some jag bags running at least 70 past all of us signaling one handed. The first guy was somewhat startled to see us as his sled darted around a tad as he lifted his hand to tell me information I have no interest in. Last year I had a close call and wanted so bad to chase the clown down but being on a low geared Mtn sled I would never have seen him.
The safest and most respect a sledder can show a fellow sledder is to not startle them, kill them, damage them in any way shape or form. Signaling offers no useful information a sledder can use other than telling a group it's clear and hammer time.
snowdance
Member
As I originally stated, I do use hand signals. My whole point is before I worry about signaling my fellow sledder, i'm going to make sure i'm safe. You assumed that this meant I was driving too fast. Did it ever occur to you that the guy coming at me was coming too fast or not on his side of the trail and I needed to take action to keep myself safe? Thats why I stated that I come before my fellow sledder. The way you you're stating this, I should hand signal no matter what before worrying about my safety first. Sorry not happening...
Rupp Collector
Active member
x 10 (outlaw hand signals)
I don't because my handlebars have gauntlets on them. If I take my hands out I can't quickly and safely put my hand back into the gauntlets and thus the brake lever is possibly un-usable. This is not safe at all.
I can't believe that any safety minded organization would encourage riders to take their hands off the bars. Maybe the issue needs re-visiting since it has no basis in reality.
I see you long before I see your hands so.... yea, useless. I don't care how long you've been riding - anecdotes are not evidence.
I can't believe that any safety minded organization would encourage riders to take their hands off the bars. Maybe the issue needs re-visiting since it has no basis in reality.
I see you long before I see your hands so.... yea, useless. I don't care how long you've been riding - anecdotes are not evidence.
snowfish
Member
As mentioned, speed is key.
I frequently guide entry level riders. Our pre-ride briefing includes hand signals. But, I qualify it with "keep you hands on the bars if you're not comfortable. If you think it's not safe, then it's not".
We always slow way down for on coming traffic or riders on the side of the trail. Usually slow enough for the last rider to give the closed fist sign followed by a friendly wave.
Maybe it's different, here in Minnesota, but I've seen everyone looking out for everyone else. Adequate signaling, slowing down, moving over when safe, stopping if you see a hood up, etc.
It's more fun when everyone has a great time. And not just my particular group. It's not all about me.
alwaysright
New member
From my "unscientific evidnece" riding this season I have seen less hand signs from older riders that get out just once in a while or a few times a year. People such as myself (32, no backpack or shovel as I think it's goofy to wear something that can so easily be strapped to the sled, but I have been known to rock the ipod from time to time) who are out on the trails regularly use them, the one or two rides a year type don't. They are also usually riding older sled so maybe just don't know.
I don't blame anyone for not doing it as I would much rather they keep control of the machine, but as the leader it is nice (but not necessary) to know when the last rider has passed.
My bigger concern this weekend was just general unsafe riding or parking. We came over a big hill and found a group of 8 sleds whiched looked like a group of (40-50 somethings) parked on the backside of it. I could not see them until I was over the hill, it would have been smart to have one sled at the top of the hill so I would have slowed down a bit. I felt bad that I was on my brakes as I went past them and got too close IMO (about 7-8 feet) away from thier 7-9 year old daughter who was playing in the middle of the trail while they changed a belt. They should have found a way to notify riders such as myself coming from the other direction to use caution.
The bottom line is there are a lot of people who don't ride enough to know how to be safe. I've never had an accident while on a sled and drive in control. I open it up when I can clearly see what's ahead but slow down through the woods as you never know what's coming around the next corner, too many times I've had a ricky racer type come through a corner on my side of the trail, you just have to be preparred for any scenario.
I hope everyone rides safe and can use hand signs but know that will never be the case.
I don't blame anyone for not doing it as I would much rather they keep control of the machine, but as the leader it is nice (but not necessary) to know when the last rider has passed.
My bigger concern this weekend was just general unsafe riding or parking. We came over a big hill and found a group of 8 sleds whiched looked like a group of (40-50 somethings) parked on the backside of it. I could not see them until I was over the hill, it would have been smart to have one sled at the top of the hill so I would have slowed down a bit. I felt bad that I was on my brakes as I went past them and got too close IMO (about 7-8 feet) away from thier 7-9 year old daughter who was playing in the middle of the trail while they changed a belt. They should have found a way to notify riders such as myself coming from the other direction to use caution.
The bottom line is there are a lot of people who don't ride enough to know how to be safe. I've never had an accident while on a sled and drive in control. I open it up when I can clearly see what's ahead but slow down through the woods as you never know what's coming around the next corner, too many times I've had a ricky racer type come through a corner on my side of the trail, you just have to be preparred for any scenario.
I hope everyone rides safe and can use hand signs but know that will never be the case.
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POLARISDAN
New member
hahahah..thelast 3 page thread on this issue wasnt enuf