If you use mirrors.... - Page 2

Understand we all have our opinions and riding styles. I got used to rear view mirrors on my motorcycles, and don't like to ride without them. When you're in a pack, and hear the big truck coming up behind, I can see him much better in the mirror than by taking a "quick glance" over the shoulder. Plus, I can still see what the wheels in front of me are doing, and hold my line better with a mirror view.

I wouldn't think of driving a car or riding a motorcycle on the road without rearview mirrors; guess that's why I want one on my bike helmet. I suspect lots of riders just avoid using a mirror because it doesn't look racy....same reason you don't see more road riders using their helmet visors.

Guess we all have different opinions about the need to easily see what's in back, but if you do want to really check out what's going on behind, believe a helmet-mounted mirror is much better than a quick, intermittent glance over the shoulder.

Agree very few cyclists are actually hit from behind. Of the accidents around here this season, I only know of one who was hit from behind by a car.

I use the take-a-look mirror from Bike Peddler in Colorado; it's available at REI and several other shops as well as direct. The take-a-look is clipped to my eyeglass frames, and works exceptionally well.

I use the mirror not as a crutch but as a supplement to looking and listening. Let me explain by example. Although I try and avoid four-lane roads and major highways, most every ride I take puts me on a four lane section of road where it meets the interstate (Ladue Road at I-270). As I come into that intersection, I need to watch cars coming up behind me that want to cross my lane to get on the interstate. At the same time, I need to watch traffic coming at me from the opposite direction and signalling left across in front of me. And I need to watch for glass, hubcaps, and other junk in the road. And there are three stop signals to manage. That's just on one side of the interstate; once I've passed underneath there's another signal plus people merging from my right ... get the picture? I *do* look over my shoulder, and I *do* listen. But it is sure nice to be able to see the SUV coming up behind me and the Minivan crossing in front without moving my head much at all.

Another example: in town, two lanes each way, parallel parking on my right. It's 8:15 and we all are commuting ... having the ability to spot check who is behind me without taking my eyes from what happening ahead - especially people pulling out of those parking spots - is reassuring and has saved my fanny several times.

I know I'm entitled to my fair chunk of the road. I also know that I do a disservice to other cyclists if I "teach" drivers by my behavior that I don't have any rights. I take the lane when I need it. But, around here, some people just don't pay attention - and a good mirror gives me just a little more advantage.

Agree, the mirror is great in heavy traffic when you can't glance behind at every car. Small world comment: I used to ride out Ladue Rd, Clayton and Conway Roads when I lived in University City.

DHK, maybe it's riding these particular roads in West County that's trained us to appreciate mirrors! I'm not complaining, however. We moved from the Chicago suburbs (Downers Grove) six weeks ago, and riding Ladue, Conway, etc., really beats the road situation up there.

I believe you meant "exception."

If you're looking back that often, how are you keeping track of what's coming from the front? The majority of bicycle-related accidents are caused by vehicles turning left in front of an on-coming cyclist.

Mirrors are not meant to replace a look over your shoulder. They are very handy when you must look forward, but need a quick glance behind you. Without a mirror, you cannot look in two different directions at once. Same principle as using the rear view mirror in your car.

-Wm.

All I can say is I've done a lot of riding in traffic for over twenty years and I've never hit or been hit by a car. I've also never once wished I had a mirror. Like I said before, most of the commuters, messengers, etc... that I see don't use a mirror. Everyone's entitled to their opinion and for the ones who like to use a mirror, that's fine by me. I'm just saying that you don't need a mirror to be safe. I know this from many years of experience riding in traffic. And like I said before, I'm very aware of traffic from all directions, you have to be. If I weren't I probably wouldn't be typing this right now!

Oh and thanks for correcting my grammar. Exception, yeah.

Meehs: All I can say (no offense...) is that traffic in Minnesota is a far cry from traffic in So. Cal. People shoot each other for getting in their way in So Cal.

I’ve had bottles thrown at me (for no reason other than to take me out); I’ve had cars make a left turn in front of me (close enough that I almost laid down my bike); I’ve had cars come within an inch of smacking me with a rear view mirror (because they refused to give me 12" of space). And I live in a nice part of the area!

Now that I ride with one, I can at least get some sense of the mindset of the idiot coming from behind. Not all drives are so inconsiderate, but it takes only one to put you in the hospital.

I would say you’re one lucky person if you’ve never had a close call or accident. You may feel you don't need a mirror, but the ONE time it helps you see an accident about to happen, you’ll be glad you had one. Without a mirror, I feel like I am riding naked. Best to you,

-Wm.

PS. Corrections are free, relationships require an investment.

haha! No offense taken. I know that the traffic in So-Cal is worse than it is here, I've been there and ridden there (a little) even. My sister used to live there. I think you might be very surprised by the traffic in and around Minneapoilis/St. Paul though (see some of my other posts describing incidents that I've had with motorists!). I've had a lot of similar experiences to those you've described. Where'd you ever get the idea I've never had a close call??? I've had countless close calls! I've just haven't hit or been hit by a car. And I don't credit that to luck!

I'll add another vote for mirrors (I use a very small one that clips to my sunglasses earpiece and is fully adjustable) -- not as a replacement for looking and being aware, but as a supplement, much like rear and side-view mirrors in a car. I think much depends on the type of roads you ride on and whether you typically ride alone or in club/group/paceline type situations. Here in New York City, commuting or in-town riding is typically along the side of a street with parked cars to your right and a narrow street with steady traffic to your left. In these situations, I've found a mirror to be an invaluable aid, as the most frequent cycling accidents in our neck of the woods are caused by "dooring" from parked cars and by double-parked trucks/vans/cars, etc. in the limited space for cyclists. Looking back too frequently can result in a nasty collision up front when someone suddenly opens the street-side door of a cab or parked car. On the other hand, I also found it useful on a recent touring trip on rural roads in Canada, where I was inclined to ride in the center of the lane, since cars were few and far between. Periodic glances in the mirror allowed me to see the road unfolding far behind me and be aware of any approaching cars long before I could hear them.

Of course, none of this means that you can't be safe without a mirror, or that it is ideal or even necessary in all riding conditions. I'd recommend that you buy an inexpensive one, or borrow a friend's, and try it out under the safest circumstances you can find (so you can get used to using it, adjust to any distortion, etc.). good luck!

I know 4 people personally who've either witnissed a cycling death or come up on an accident within 1 minute of one. One was hit from behind by a dump truck - he pulled out suddenly into traffic to avoid an obstacle while riding in a paceline in a large "tour" ride, mirror might have helped if he looked at it, but he did something stupid as a last second response to a road obstacle. Second was a drunk driver that hit someone from behind - the driver veered off the road, mirror probably wouldn't have helped here since the accident actually occured on the shoulder. Third was a motorcylist who didn't stop at a stop sign and hit a biker from his left at an intersection at the top of a hill going 50+, mirror wouldn't have helped. The 4th one was a biker killed by another biker on a paved urban bike trail - no cars allowed. The oncoming biker veered off his side of the path and hit the other guy head on, then landed on him, mirror wouldn't have helped.

I don't use one and don't plan too but I can see how some people feel more comfortable with it. I think that's the key, whatever you feel more comfortable with will probably make you a safer biker since you'll be more relaxed on the bike. Some people, not the ones we race with on the weekends, are not all that coordinated and can't seem to look over their shoulder without a major veer into traffic, we've all almost been taken out by one... these folks would definitely be better off with a mirror...

In my imagination the ones that mount to the helmet or glasses always end up snapped off and sticking out of your eye during a crash.

I Like using a mirror, the best one I've found is the Zefal Cyclop, works
great on drop bars, priced around $10.00 US. Good field of view, no distortion. I think Nashbar has them on sale for $7.99.

Corin: Agree with your statement that some people just feel more comfortable using a mirror. After a couple of decades of riding without, and now a couple of seasons using a helmet-mount, I'm one of them.

Have to ask....since you've never used one, how do you know you wouldn't be more comfortable with one also? Suggest you try a CycleAware, or other helmet mounted mirror for a couple of months and decide for yourself which way is better. You just might like the ease of having a mirror also. Is there some reason you don't plan to even try one?

I just discovered this forum. At last, people who speak my language!

I vote for the mirrors. I wear a helmet mounted one, and its far better than looking over the shoulder. Based on one of the posts, there's a lot of instability built in to the "over the shoulder" technique. With the mirror, I can glance very routinely behind me to see what's coming, without the instability. Riding on the right, I find myself pulling to the left (that is, into traffic) when I do the "over the shoulder" thing. The mirror keeps my head forward, provides more frequent inspection, and maintains greater control of my bike. Also, a guy who trains on the same road I do is paralyzed because he got hit from behind by an old woman driving 45 miles an hour in a 55 mph zone. She was half way on the shoulder, and so slumped down below the wheel, she probably didn't see the cyclist. A mirror may have given him a chance to see her coming.

Again, I'm glad to be finally connected to you fellow cyclists. Best of luck to you all!!

I can't use a mirror because I'll look like a fred. I don't want to see the dump truck coming up behind me. I'll hear the dump truck and look back to see hopefully in time to avoid it. Yes, I have a mirror in my car but I also look back when changing lanes ( blind spot). This one accident took place here where a car hit my friend from behind. It approached so quickly that he could not avoid it, even while looking in the mirror. You should be able to hold your line with your head turned around, with your hands off the handlebars or with your eyes closed anyways.

Brilliant...

Just a quick question to the assembled masses....what is the feminine version of the Fred. Are we Fredrickas? Fredettes? Or is Fred a gender neutral term?

Discuss....

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