Braking one-handed to signal down steep traffic-heavy slope I've just recently picked up biking and will be cycling to work when I start in a few weeks. One thing that's really bothering me on my route is a very steep hill that gets very busy during rush hour. At the bottom there's a traffic light where I have to turn right (I live in the UK, we drive on the left).

I've been doing the route off-peak to practice. Thus far it's been clear behind me each time, so I've just looked back and drifted right to position myself correctly before the right turn. However, if there's traffic behind me, I would not feel safe doing this manoeuvre without hand-signalling to the right.

Is it safe to just brake with my left hand on a steep hill? (I believe that's the rear brake on British bikes.) Can I initially brake with both hands then briefly take my right hand off to signal? I've literally never braked one-handed, so it kind of terrifies me. Sorry if these sound like dumb questions; I just don't want to get injured!

Thanks!
As an confident road rider I'd do two major things.


I'd turn my head, look backward and make eye contact with the driver(s) just behind me to show intention, and maybe signal at this point.  Or I might not signal at all.  Then
take the lane.  You will be moving fast enough to slot-in with the cars because of the downhill.  I'd avoid being sidelined on the side of the road.  I'd also do this well-before the intersection; hard to say how far but even 50-100 metres out.


If I'm needing to brake hard, I'll use both hands, and leave signalling/indicating out of it completely.  You've already shown your intent by taking the lane and moving closer to the center-line.



Since your experience is lesser, feel free to not do any of that.  You have to be comfortable with your intent and actions.  So instead you could:


Get off and walk this bit.  Brake early, loose speed from the downhill, and simply walk across the roads before the intersection.
If permitted, you could ride on the footpath, though the UK doesn't allow this unless it's a specific shared path.
Find another route to work.  There's a fair assumption that the best route for a car is also the best route for a bike, when frequently there are alternatives only available to bikes.


Also, if other cyclists traverse this intersection then watch and observe their methods.  If it makes sense then emulate them, and if not, then don't.