Ed in GA

I've noticed in a lot of the photos posted in various forums here, that I see very few people using mirrors on their helmets or handlebars. In the group with which I ride, seems that not very many use mirrors. I am one of those who doesn't use a mirror although I plan to change that very soon.

Like many other riders, I tend to turn my head to see what's coming up behind me and I wonder if doing that, in and of itself, isn't just a bit dangerous? When I taught dancing years ago, we always taught the the nose always follows the toes. I wonder if this would apply to looking over your shoulder as well. When you look over your shoulder, is there a tendency to move the bike in the direction in which you are looking?

Not trying to stir anything up, or start an argument about the use or mirrors. Just looking for various thought on the issue.

TIA

Ed

bizzz111

some people like mirrors, some don't. Whatever works for you, use it. I use a mirror all the time. I can see a car coming up on me a lot quicker than I can hear it. I can also track a car coming up behind me to tell if they are going to buzz me or not. Nothing worse than getting a surprise buzz. Same thing with stealth bikers than never use a bell or say "on your left!". I guess I just don't like getting surprised, or looking over my shoulder all the time.

chipcom 

One of the basic skills one should have when riding a bike is the ability to hold your line while looking behind you.
Also, just like when driving a car, a mirror does NOT eliminate the need for an actual look before making a move.

JoeyBike

I use a mirror. I also look back before changing my line or moving across a lane.

Some very good riders I know don't use mirrors. Some had trouble getting used to them, others can't handle the "dork factor" perceived by wearing a mirror.

Just give it a try, maybe a couple types - handle bar and helmet/eyeglass mount. You will know pretty soon if a mirror suits you.

Tude 

I generally turn, however in heavy traffic - especially if I have parked cars to my right (don't want to get clotheslined so my eyes are looking for drivers sitting in cars) and two lanes of traffic pacing me ... I don't have time to turn around - might have that car door/pot hole etc -- so I really rely on my mirror so I'm focusing ahead, but glancing down to see what's behind me ---- some of these drivers really hang to the right.

Pig_Chaser

In my riding environment i simply couldn't imagine riding without a mirror. I ride rural undivided highways, just yesterday i spotted a wide load and pulled off the road to let it pass. Without a mirror i'd have to shoulder check every 2-3 seconds. That said, i don't think they're necessary for city riding although i still do like having it there... but i mainly use it to pick a good time to move left when changing lanes.

I have a helmet mounted "Take-A-Look" mirror and have grown to love it. It's like a skill that must be learnt because i found it awkward and counter-intuitive at first. Now it's like second nature. I like it because you can use it no matter what position your riding in (ie flats, drops), and you can even look over your right shoulder with a slight head movement if your merging right.

A helmet mounted mirror is possibly the dorkiest thing you can put on, but i can live with that.

srmatte

I just started commuting last June. Up until last month I used the over the shoulder method. I found myself checking over my should often for the car I thought I heard coming, but it was just the wind..or my paranoia. Picked up a mirror that attaches to my handle bar end and I love it. With a quick glance I know if I can take the whole road or need to slide over. I have been able to avoid close calls by knowing what is coming, how fast, and how many. It also allows you to duck behind the last car for a quick draft.

Recycle

I use a helmet mounted mirror, but always turn my head to look over my shoulder before actually changing lanes. The mirror lets me plan the lane change better.

gcottay

I rely on a combination of mirror and ears to keep track of what's happening to the rear but do find myself looking back at times.

Looking back without veering left was, for me, a skill that took some practice.

bakerjw

Yep, the helmet mirror is very dorky, but I feel more vulnerable if I don't have it with me. I can turn to look behind and I definitely do that before pulling across traffic lanes to move into a left turn lane or to turn left. I never trust the mirror, but I ride solo 90% of the time and it gives me a quick way to spot potential redneckish behavior from behind without diverting my focus from the road ahead. When I see Bubba hanging out of the passenger side pickup window, I know that no good can come from it.

I also have been pleasantly surprised that more of the "serious" cyclists haven't given me any grief about it.

dynodonn 

A mirror is a very useful tool, and I should have added one to my bike years earlier than I did.

daredevil

Same here. Riding my route without a mirror would be ludicrous no matter your head turning skills.

Ed in GA

A skill I'll definitely have to work on.


absolutely

Ed in GA

ah, as I suspected. There is a tendency to veer left.

It will take some practice for me as well.

veggie_lover

Most motorosits will never notice you have a mirror unless they look directly at you while on your side ( someone correct me if I'm wrong ).

I have the eye-glass mounted take-a-look mirror and people always ask me questions about it. It's almost as intriguing as my folding bike.

CigarDad

This is what I use as well. Mine however is mounted to my visor on my helmet.

I am so used to the mirror that when I am walking on the street to get into my car my natural instinct is to look up and left for the rear view and then realize that I am not biking and turn around to see if traffic is coming to open my car door.

noisebeam

I can turn my head and look behind me for long periods and hold a straight line.
But I can not turn my head and look behind with no one else noticing.
That is one of the main reasons I have a mirror.
Al

SlimAgainSoon

If you commute, you'd better use a mirror.

I can look over my shoulder without castastrophe, but I cannot monitor everything behind all the time and find the right time to take the lane, etc.

My mirror (Take-a-Look eyeglass) gives me an eye in the back of my head.

Widsith

I never thought I would need or want a mirror until I bought a used bike that already had one on the bar end. Since it was there, I decided to to try using it for awhile, and now I'm very glad to have it. It makes a good "early warning system" for approaching cars that I sometimes don't hear over the wind noise. It's still necessary to look back before moving over, though, because there still are blind spots.

My biggest problem with my mirror is pushing it out of adjustment when putting it in or out of my garage, or in the back of my car. Since it sticks out to the left of the bar end, it's easy to bump it against something. But it's also easy to adjust one-handed, even while riding, and I've gotten in the habit of checking that it's in the right place before starting a ride.

chipcom 

Kinda like you have to do when your wife/kids also use your car.

jefferee

I have a helmet mounted mirror and still like to shoulder check whenever a car approaches from the rear. When I look over my shoulder at an approaching car, the driver tends to give me more room than when I don't. As always, YMMV.

Editz

Interesting. Years ago when I took safety training to get my motorcycle endorsement they always said to look "through" a corner as the bike tended to go where your eyes were aimed. Seems natural for your line to waver once you do something extreme like completely turn your head around. A mirror is a much more sensible option IMHO.

srmatte

Using a paint pen mark the adjustments, just need a couple of dots. Easy to see if they are out of line before you get started.

trekker pete

I work with a guy that got right hooked by a pickup truck a few weeks ago. He ended up with a broken wrist.

He told me about how he glanced over his shoulder and when he turned around the truck's bumper was right there.

I told him how he really needed to get a helmet mounted mirror. He just smiled and said, nah, he didn't need one.

He rides in boston traffic. How the hell anyone would ride in that mess without a mirror is beyond me.

chipcom 

Dude, nobody said not to use a mirror, I use a mirror myself, but Vehicle Operation 101 suggests, as Ronnie Raygun said, 'trust but verify' by giving a head check before making an actual move. This is basic driver's ed. Motorcycle Safety classes usually assume you have the basics already and don't try to reinvent the wheel. Did they teach you that a stop sign means stop or that a double yellow line means no passing in your MC safety class?

Just as basic, on a bike or a motorcycle, is learning how to hold your line while looking elsewhere...or scratching your butt or standing to fart. If they didn't teach you or drill you on this in your MC safety class, I'm not very impressed with that class.