Do you hand signal? Do you always avoid the shoulder? (Page 2)

I always signal with proper hand signals when turning if there are vehicles around. It is for my protection that I do this by giving other drivers an idea of my intentions. I also try to make eye contact, if possible, so there is some acknowledgement that they are aware of me.

I will use as much of the shoulder as I can. If there is sand or debris on the shoulder, I'll hug the fog line but I try to not to impede drivers. I get really annoyed when I see cyclists to the left of the fog line when I know the shoulder is clean. Some do it just because "its there right" and its that type of arrogance that hurts us all. I especially get annoyed when there are two or three riders side by side chatting away while cars pile up behind them. Again, A lot of this is just in your face arrogance.

I signal (by pointing my intended direction) only when other vehicles, cyclists, or pedestrians are present.  However, if the circumstances call for BOTH of my hands to remain on my bars for any reason (wind gusts, coming down a steep hill, the need to use both brakes, etc), then signaling is an afterthought...my safety comes first.

As for riding on shoulders...I'll do it whenever possible.  Shoulders in my area are narrow (2 feet), unpredictable, and often littered with glass, sharp objects, roadkill, rocks, overgrown brush/vegetation, broken up pavement, etc.   If the shoulder is relatively clean (I say relatively, because I have yet to find a truly clean debris-free shoulder where I ride), I'll use it...otherwise I'm riding in the lane and cars will just have to go around me.