Advocacy & Safety - Whatsa in front of me is not important!

Wanted to get some opinions concerning a claim made in another thread.

I'm the only one to say 1-2 seconds so far, but that was just a guess, so maybe it doesn't count. In reality, I hardly ever look back, and when I do, it is only for a split second, because...

I use a mirror!

I'm confused. Did you mean to say, "what's behind me is not important?" I also use a mirror and only look back if i am going to be turning across a lane in front of traffic. BEst to double check the mirror.

BTW, i didn't vote in the poll because none of them fit really for me.

I don't use a mirror. I let go and stretch out with my feelings, using the Force. Occaisonally, I need to look back and 2 sec seems to be all the time I need to see everything back there. And it's probably the maximum safe amount of time.

The bigger issue is can you look back and hold your line?

A quick glance every 10 seconds in heavy traffic prob.

I'm confused. Did you mean to say, "what's behind me is not important?"

I think, if you look at the order of the poll options, that he's saying you look behind for so long that you must feel what's in front of you really isn't important.

Tim.

I use a glasses mount mirror, and only look over my shoulder prior to making a lnae change. This look provides a visual clue to drivers that you are about to make a lne change. I use my mirror to keep aware of the traffic behind me, and look over my shoulder to make the lane change when I know there is a gap in the traffic. I probably dont use the mirror enough, because I am often being dropped by cyclists who sneek up behind me.

I use a mirror, and tend to take quick glances behind me (in the mirror) every 10 seconds or so. I only look back over my shoulder occasionally except when I am getting ready to move over.

Just as when I am driving, I try to be aware of what is going on around me.

I think that cyclists who see nothing unless they are about to run over it are no better than people who drive cars and continually focus on their hood ornament like it is a pair of cross hairs.

I read something once where they did some study and learned that some people have vision that remains steady no matter how much the body is jostled around, whereas other people's vision lacks that steadiness, so when their body is jostled around their vision is too. I'm one of the latter.

If the road is really bad I can barely see in front of me, let alone behind me. That is why some people love to let 'er rip on their recumbents and go 30-50 mph down hills and I prefer to stay under 30.

Looking behind me I can't hardly make out anything at all. And I can't seem to turn all the way around and look directly. So, I'll do a quick glance and hope my peripheral vision can pick up on anything coming my way. Otherwise, the mirror is the only thing I use.

I also use a mirror and mostly turn to look as a backup prior to changing lanes; but I have turned to give a bad motorist the 5 second evil eye.

Normaly a secound or 2 some times alot less. Realy it depends on the road. If theres a big ditch beside me for 50 or 60 feet and no drives roads etc then ill look back longer. If im on a residental street ill just glance now and then for a split secound. Now as we all know when you look back you also tend to want to turn the dirction of the shoulder you look over. So i tend to pratice looking back in silver creek where i can do longer looks safly at the begining of a season.

I look around 2 seconds or a bit more. On a low traffic, calm street, I look for one to two seconds. Any less and it doesn't register for me. I never knew that! Just timed myself.

This is bizarre, this poll. I think it might be kind of troll-y because chipcom is trying to goat helmet head. If that is the only reason for this, I'm sorry I participated.

I look around 2 seconds or a bit more. On a low traffic, calm street, I look for one to two seconds. Any less and it doesn't register for me. I never knew that! Just timed myself.

This is bizarre, this poll. I think it might be kind of troll-y because chipcom is trying to goat helmet head. If that is the only reason for this, I'm sorry I participated.

Not a troll at all. HH modified his original comment, and I am fine with that. I am just curious to see what others think is a reasonable time to take your attention away from what is in front of you.

Personally, I am glad to see so many people using mirrors for situational awareness, but always giving a look before hanging their okole out there.

If I had contact or Lasik, I would be able to see in a split second glance...however glasses screw that up nicely.

However I have been known to look for about 2 seconds, then scan teh front, then another 2 seconds, rinse wash repeat...for a while.

I also turn my head to the side to cut back the wind turbulence around my ears so i can hear behind me from time to time...if I thought I heard something, I do this to make sure.

Not a troll at all. HH modified his original comment, and I am fine with that. I am just curious to see what others think is a reasonable time to take your attention away from what is in front of you.

Personally, I am glad to see so many people using mirrors for situational awareness, but always giving a look before hanging their okole out there.I'm so relieved that you approve of the way we ride.

I'm so relieved that you approve of the way we ride.

I'm so relieved that you are as anal as usual.

I have never used a mirror, but as I get older maybe that's a good idea. Regardless I look back for only a split second especially when lane changing, but I rely more on my hearing to locate cars when just riding straight. I use a different approach to turning my head then others here most of the time, I don't really turn my head per say, rather I dip my head and look under my arm most of the time, but sometimes I turn my head just depends on the situation or mood!

Not a troll at all. HH modified his original comment, and I am fine with that. I am just curious to see what others think is a reasonable time to take your attention away from what is in front of you.

Personally, I am glad to see so many people using mirrors for situational awareness, but always giving a look before hanging their okole out there.

I need to get me a mirror my self prob one that mounts on glasses. Thats why im waiting till i get me some better glasses than these burger king wild wild west ones i have now heh.

I use to have a bar end mirror till my bike got knocked over one day and broke it. Turns out the mirror it self was glass. Supriseing as i only paid 2.99 at kmart for it.

Wow. 42% (24/56) selected the longest they can safely turn and look back is only a split-second.

Folks, you gotta work on that! Go to an empty parking lot with straight lines you can follow, ride along the lines, and practice looking back longer and longer without veering off the line. It's not that hard, but does take a little practice. For safe cycling in traffic, you should be able to hold a 2-second backward look.

The purpose of a look back is not only to look and see what's going on... it's also to let motorists see you looking back. That tells them you'd like to merge left.

I thought about this topic as I was riding through the city this morning.

This is what I do, and what is my understanding of the recommended technique for a left turn.

First, a quick glance behind to see what the overtaking traffic situation is. This isn't a full stare, it's just a check out of the corner of my eye and doesn't prevent me from seeing ahead as well. Other drivers (cars, trucks, bikes, buggies, whatever) see me looking and get a little heads-up that maybe something is going on with me, not sure what, but maybe they should watch closely.

Once I identify a gap in traffic, a DECISIVE hand signal -- not the little one-finger dangly thing I see many cyclists sporting, but a full-on, from-the-shoulder, open-palm signal, briskly snapped out there, says "Okay, I'm executing a change in direction, and I mean it."

This is followed by some brief checking out of the corner of my eye to see that the gap in traffic still exists. Usually, I see that the overtaking traffic has seen my signal and tacitly acknowledged it by slowing.

Then I turn my head and give them the full eye-contact. This says "I see you, and I know you see me." If I don't see their eyes, then I have to be concerned that they are distracted, but I have never had that happen in twenty years.

That takes about two seconds, and I decisively move straight to the left side of the lane, slow and stop if neccessary, before turning left.

I do this in heavy traffic or light traffic, on any road around here. The only roads I avoid are the limited-access ones, and the hellacious raceways through strip-mall land. Some of my favorite roads have two lanes in each direction and few lights. Your roads might be different, I don't know.

Did you ever notice, when driving your car, that if you're trying to change lanes, or turn into traffic, and another motorist doesn't want to let you in, that he refuses to meet your eyes? Certainly on the highways around Boston, drivers pulled that sort of thing all the time. Pretending they don't see. But if they do make eye contact with you, they always let you in.

Same is true on your bike.

Wow. 42% (24/56) selected the longest they can safely turn and look back is only a split-second.

Folks, you gotta work on that! Go to an empty parking lot with straight lines you can follow, ride along the lines, and practice looking back longer and longer without veering off the line. It's not that hard, but does take a little practice. For safe cycling in traffic, you should be able to hold a 2-second backward look.

The purpose of a look back is not only to look and see what's going on... it's also to let motorists see you looking back. That tells them you'd like to merge left.

Please cite your qualifications to tell others that they must 'work on' taking their eyes off the road in front of them for a longer period of time than they feel is safe, especially when riding in traffic? Do you also suggest that drivers do the same? Tell us what happens when a dog darts out in front of you while you are playing touchy-feely with the driver behind you, or when the motorist in front of you suddenly decides to move into your path, not even aware that you are there? HH I know you mean well, but IMHO you are advocating an unsafe practice. I'm a strong advocate of looking and making eye contact, but I think it is up to the rider, not you or I or anyone else, to determine the safest manner and time period required to do so for them.

At least 1-2 seconds and I hold my line perfectly fine. Never use a mirror. I would rather develop the ability to look behind me if need be than to rely on a quick glance or mirror.

Folks, you gotta work on that!

There it is. The unsolicited advice. Nobody likes unsolicited advice. I don't.

The post after:

This is what I do...

I find posts like this to be more informative and worthy of my attention, even if they say essentially the same thing.

There it is. The unsolicited advice. Nobody likes unsolicited advice. I don't.

The post after:


I find posts like this to be more informative and worthy of my attention, even if they say essentially the same thing.

I like how you can say things in a much friendlier and diplomatic manner than I can. Aww shucks, I just plain like ya.

Please cite your qualifications to tell others that they must 'work on' taking their eyes off the road in front of them for a longer period of time than they feel is safe, especially when riding in traffic? Do you also suggest that drivers do the same? Tell us what happens when a dog darts out in front of you while you are playing touchy-feely with the driver behind you, or when the motorist in front of you suddenly decides to move into your path, not even aware that you are there? HH I know you mean well, but IMHO you are advocating an unsafe practice. I'm a strong advocate of looking and making eye contact, but I think it is up to the rider, not you or I or anyone else, to determine the safest manner and time period required to do so for them.


I often ride in darkness- and a Niterider system still creates a lot of guesswork- particularly as there are so many leaves on the road (making odd shadows)- so unfortunately there is much riding on faith in what is or isn't in front of me. Also, it really sucks that I cannot make eye contact at night/pre dawn... although a helmet mounted light would be nice for spotting drivers (and perhaps blinding them).

On the flip side, I also use a take-a-look mirror, and find I don't need to double-check (by turning) very often. There really isn't a blind spot.

I am a mirror convert- a born again. I used to scoff at "geeks who wore mirrors"- now I feel naked without one.

I often ride in darkness- and a Niterider system still creates a lot of guesswork- particularly as there are so many leaves on the road (making odd shadows)- so unfortunately there is much riding on faith in what is or isn't in front of me. Also, it really sucks that I cannot make eye contact at night/pre dawn... although a helmet mounted light would be nice for spotting drivers (and perhaps blinding them).

On the flip side, I also use a take-a-look mirror, and find I don't need to double-check (by turning) very often. There really isn't a blind spot.

I am a mirror convert- a born again. I used to scoff at "geeks who wore mirrors"- now I feel naked without one.

I've found making eye contact at night to be dangerous at times, not from turning around, but from the driver mistaking my look as a 'deer in the headlights' and either swerving to avoid me or speeding up to get around me. Maybe I need sunglasses at night? ;)

I feel the same way about a mirror. A HUD display superimposed on my glasses, with a 360 view, infrared, and target acquisition would be even better!

I wouldn't rely on looks for safety - especially since there is good cause for confusion.

I remember years ago I took a taxi and the guy was complaining that cyclists always ignored him. He said even when he made eye contact with them they didn't get it. As a non-cyclist he didn't realise that a lot of us CAN'T see the driver's face and are actually looking at the tires because that's more reliable.

HH, I didn't see the poll as a question of how long you CAN look back. Read the question: How long can you safely turn and look behind you while riding in traffic? I answered 1-2 seconds because that's all I think is generally safe to do.

As for what I can do? I do it. Sometimes I get off one pedal, turn around, hang my knee over the crossbar, one hand on the handlbar and hand on hip, admiring something that just passed the other way :D

But that's not what the poll was asking. I don't have anything to learn regarding how long I CAN look back.

However - from my cycling classes as a kid, I remember noticing how easily you go off a straight line when looking back - a lot of people should be aware of this.

I agree with Nico; I can look for a far longer time then just a fraction of a second or a couple of seconds, especially if something very interesting is going by. But I took the poll has saying how long can you typically look in heavy traffic probably on city streets safetly, and in that vein I try to make as fast of a look as possible because things can happen in front of you rather quickly...doors opening, car turning in front of you, lights changing etc. But a person on a bike should be able to maintain control of their bike and be able to freely look around.

But in todays world of STI and ERGO shifters and Camelbacks a lot of riders don't develope the skill to access things not already at hand and maintain control. I find people all the time saying water bottles are unsafe because you have to reach for the bottle whereas Camelbacks are right there and you don't have to take your hands off the bar; I've heard others say that my downtube shifters are unsafe because I have to remove my hand from the bar to reach the shifter...what a bunch of balony! People, including myself for years raced with downtube shifters and using water bottles, and accidents weren't any more prevalent then today.

We should take a new poll: how far and how many people can ride on 700x23 tires or narrower without hands? Can you make a turn without hands? The one thing I can't do very well at all and I actually practiced for about a month is to ride a unicycle! YIKES!!!!!!!!

How fast is the traffic?

Am I in the primary or secondary riding position?
(primary=butt on seat; secondary=standing)

Is the road smooth or is it 'P&P' like so many roads around here?
(P&P = potholes and patches)

A funner question woulda been, "how long are you willing to look back while riding on the edge of a precipice?"

I used to be able to safely look back for 2-2/5 seconds but I've been practicing every day on an empty parking lot and I can now safely look back for almost a full 5 seconds. Well, it's fairly safe on an empty parking lot - I'm not sure how safe it would be in heavy traffic. Would you drive for 5 seconds with your eyes closed? I wouldn't, and I wouldn't ride a bike in heavy traffic with my eyes closed for very long, either.

But seriously, I look back a lot, often for about a second at a time, sometimes for about 2 seconds or slightly more. I can see a lot in two seconds. I don't use a mirror because I like motorists to know that I see them.

I can ride a bike with shifters on the down tube - somebody thinks that's dangerous? wow! I did it for many years without any problem. I can also ride a straight line, pedal, get my water bottle from its cage, take a drink, replace the water bottle and have my fingers on a brake lever the whole time (well, at least on some of my bikes I can). But I don't drink water in heavy traffic.
I can also walk and chew gum at the same time.

Please cite your qualifications to tell others that they must 'work on' taking their eyes off the road in front of them for a longer period of time than they feel is safe, especially when riding in traffic? Do you also suggest that drivers do the same? Tell us what happens when a dog darts out in front of you while you are playing touchy-feely with the driver behind you, or when the motorist in front of you suddenly decides to move into your path, not even aware that you are there? HH I know you mean well, but IMHO you are advocating an unsafe practice. I'm a strong advocate of looking and making eye contact, but I think it is up to the rider, not you or I or anyone else, to determine the safest manner and time period required to do so for them.And your qualifications? This whole "poll" was a troll and unfortunately, HH just fed ya.

Let the force guide you...

And your qualifications? This whole "poll" was a troll and unfortunately, HH just fed ya.

That's your problem, you see a trolls everywhere. Bet you see black helicopters and Elvis pumping gas in Albuquerque too.

You should brush up on your definition of a troll and the purpose of a poll. Did anyone ask HH to do anything but check a box? You really need to get away from BF for awhile, dude, you're getting kinda jaded.

That's your problem, you see a trolls everywhere. Bet you see black helicopters and Elvis pumping gas in Albuquerque too.

You should brush up on your definition of a troll and the purpose of a poll. Did anyone ask HH to do anything but check a box? You really need to get away from BF for awhile, dude, you're getting kinda jaded.
:)

There it is. The unsolicited advice. Nobody likes unsolicited advice. I don't.
Fine, then don't take it. Or better yet, get on a forum where unsolicited advice is explicitly discouraged. This one, clearly, is not one of those, LOL.



Please cite your qualifications to tell others that they must 'work on' taking their eyes off the road in front of them for a longer period of time than they feel is safe, especially when riding in traffic?
My qualifications are... I'm a cyclist who has learned how to look back for longer than a split second, and have personally experienced the advantages in doing so.

By the way, I would never do look back for a period of time in a situation where a dog, or anything else, might suddenly dart out during that time.

While there are some situations where I might look back for as long as 3 or more seconds, I never do it when it's not safe to do it, and would never recommend anyone look back for longer than they feel is safe.

If you're not looking back longer because you feel something might appear suddenly in front of you, that's one thing. But if you're not looking back longer because you don't feel confident that you keep from swerving if you're looking back, that's something you can work on.

When I was first learning how to look behind, it was easier to stop pedalling while I looked. After a while, it got so I could keep pedalling. Hurst in his book about urban cycling (I'm blocking on the title) has other tips for looking back.

Wow. 42% (24/56) selected the longest they can safely turn and look back is only a split-second.

Folks, you gotta work on that! Go to an empty parking lot with straight lines you can follow, ride along the lines, and practice looking back longer and longer without veering off the line. It's not that hard, but does take a little practice. For safe cycling in traffic, you should be able to hold a 2-second backward look.

The purpose of a look back is not only to look and see what's going on... it's also to let motorists see you looking back. That tells them you'd like to merge left.
Serge, I can look behind me and ride in a straight line for minutes at at time. That is not the problem.
What is is that in the 1-2sec I look back the situation ahead often changes dramatically. I often find myself in a situation where there are several driveways (strip mall entrances to a 45mph posted road) ahead on my left and right and cars aggressively turning into my lane as soon as a gap big enought to gun it into appears (which often appears just ahead of me if I am riding 20mph in the center of the right most lane) So even without looking behind me I am already monitoring my left and right for sudden vehicle moves. As soon as I glance back, I loose this view - in fact I time my glances back only when I am sure a vehicle won't be pulling in front of me and can usually only spare seconds to do this.

Al

Serge, I can look behind me and ride in a straight line for minutes at at time. That is not the problem.
What is is that in the 1-2sec I look back the situation ahead often changes dramatically. I often find myself in a situation where there are several driveways (strip mall entrances to a 45mph posted road) ahead on my left and right and cars aggressively turning into my lane as soon as a gap big enought to gun it into appears (which often appears just ahead of me if I am riding 20mph in the center of the right most lane) So even without looking behind me I am already monitoring my left and right for sudden vehicle moves. As soon as I glance back, I loose this view - in fact I time my glances back only when I am sure a vehicle won't be pulling in front of me and can usually only spare seconds to do this.

Al

Truely. I can hold a line with my head in any position for as long as you ask. "Safely" is the key concept, and a look back for longer than a second in heavy, fast traffic is never a good idea as things are fast changing in front of you.

Truely. I can hold a line with my head in any position for as long as you ask. "Safely" is the key concept, and a look back for longer than a second in heavy, fast traffic is never a good idea as things are fast changing in front of you.I agree with you and Al, obviously, but there is a paradox. The human eye and brain can only perceive and process so much information per second. In "heavy, fast traffic," there is far more information which must be processed, and also less time to process it. And individual differences play a big role, too.

I guess each cyclist determines, unconsciously through experience, how much time to devote to a look-back in a given situation. However, many don't look back in any situation, probably because they lack the necessary skill. Those are the ones who might want to parctice in a safe location! I know that when I started riding again three years ago, the look-back was something I had to practice extensively. Learning and applying new skills is one reward of cycling.

I can now safely look back for almost a full 5 seconds. Well, it's fairly safe on an empty parking lot - I'm not sure how safe it would be in heavy traffic.
Just to clarify, I don't think anyone has recommended looking back for 4-5 seconds in the midst of heavy traffic!

I guess each cyclist determines, unconsciously through experience, how much time to devote to a look-back in a given situation. However, many don't look back in any situation, probably because they lack the necessary skill. Those are the ones who might want to parctice in a safe location! I know that when I started riding again three years ago, the look-back was something I had to practice extensively. Learning and applying new skills is one reward of cycling.
As usual, Roody gets it, and few others do.

I remember learning to drive at 15 1/2, and feeling like I couldn't take my eyes off of the area immediately in front of my car. I also remember assuming everyone else had to do the same, and wondered why more people weren't crashing into each other. Of course, with a little time, I could look away from the immediate front of the car for longers periods of time, look far ahead, look to the sides, check my mirrors, guages, etc. It's a learning process clearly, probably training the subconscious mind to take car of the more mundane tasks. Seems to me that gaining confidence in cycling is a similar process, and unless you push your mind to learn to handle the bike and situation for you... while you focus on a few seconds to the rear ... it's not going to happen.

It's a useful skill to have, to look back for longer than a split second, something that you can learn with a little practice.

I mentioned it before, but Hurst has a good section on the look-back. (What is the name of that damn book. I'm having some memory problems tonight!) But I do remember that he talked about looking ahead before you look back, to make sure that you have a safe distance ahead of you. He mentioned specifically what you should look for, including potholes, etc. It is a good discussion, what I can remember of it. :D

It's a useful skill to have, to look back for longer than a split second, something that you can learn with a little practice.

Nobody will dispute that the ability to look back for more than a second or two while holding your line is a good skill to have, but that isn't the issue. IMO how long you think you can 'safely' look back while riding 'in traffic' is a personal choice and should not have some arbitrary time period recommended. To Roody's point, I can get a good handle on my environment and the situation with a quick glance of a second or so, but I already have some information stored away due to use of a mirror. I can also make good eye contact in that period. I do not feel comfortable looking back any longer because the situation in front of you can change a lot in say 2 seconds. One thousand one, one thousand two, blam, hello kitty! Others may need a longer period, others still, a shorter period. That is my point, it's not something we should try to quantify by time or numbers. I would advise to look back to assess the situation and establish eye contact, period, dropping any reference to a time.

By the way, I would never do look back for a period of time in a situation where a dog, or anything else, might suddenly dart out during that time.

While there are some situations where I might look back for as long as 3 or more seconds, I never do it when it's not safe to do it, and would never recommend anyone look back for longer than they feel is safe.

If you're not looking back longer because you feel something might appear suddenly in front of you, that's one thing. But if you're not looking back longer because you don't feel confident that you keep from swerving if you're looking back, that's something you can work on.

Bingo, we are in total agreement. :)

I also use a mirror and mostly turn to look as a backup prior to changing lanes; but I have turned to give a bad motorist the 5 second evil eye.
Roger that.

The safe amount of time for "not looking where you're going" obviously depends on speed and conditions. At 20mph, a decent cruising speed, one covers approx 28 feet per second. On a quiet road, 28 feet is neither here of there, but amongst busy traffic, one must time things carefully and anticipate the behaviour of other vehicles.

I do not use a mirror, and would estimate that "looking behind" takes me between 1 and two seconds, often followed by a repeat just to be sure.

Cheers,

Ed

I'm wondering if some posters to this thread believe a glance lasts about 1-2 seconds. Time it. 2 seconds is a long time to have your eyes off the road, unless you have a really clear road ahead.

Shoot, I can take my eyes of the road and dial my cell phone in less than two seconds :D

Seriously, I keep my eyes forward as much as possible. A quick glance is all I need. I use my mirror as an early warning device, not as the final authority.

A quick glance is all I need.
You might be missing the point of taking a longer look.

A quick glance might be all you need to assess the situation behind you, but you might need to hold your look longer to effectively communicate your intent to motorists approaching from the rear.

I think you'll find that, for a motorist, a cyclist riding up ahead who is looking ahead, perhaps even using a left arm turn signal, is much easier to ignore than is a cyclist who is taking a prolonged look back at you, with or without a left arm turn signal.

Anyway, that's what I learned.

The safe amount of time for "not looking where you're going" obviously depends on speed and conditions. At 20mph, a decent cruising speed, one covers approx 28 feet per second. On a quiet road, 28 feet is neither here of there, but amongst busy traffic, one must time things carefully and anticipate the behaviour of other vehicles.
Excellent point.

Being able to look back for 2-3 seconds, and doing so in some situations where it is safe and appropriate, does not mean once would do so in any situation.

I didn't vote because I only look back when I'm about to claim the entire lane for a left turn, which only happens 3 times a day for me. The rest of the time I'm using my mirrors. I only look back for a split second, but I think I COULD safely look back for longer than that, but I have no idea how long. Probably depends on the situation. In my neighborhood I might be able to look backwards all the way down the street and have very little chance of trouble. Other areas I wouldn't risk it for more than 2 seconds esp if there are lots of unpredictable pedestrians (the only kind there are, really) around.

1-2 seconds generally... and this is about the same as when I drive... even at freeway speeds.

I can and do look longer when I am cycling at very slow speeds and need to cross a very challenging road. So the lookback time does vary by situation and need.

If I need more time and my speed does not allow it... I look twice.

I rarely get eye contact though... due to the limited time I look back, and such factors as glare on windshields, glare on my glasses, timing while looking at drivers... etc. This is not to say it doesn't happen, but that if I depended on "eye contact." I would never change lanes or move laterally. I do depend highly on sound though, to back up my signals and lookbacks...

For instance... I may do a quick check... determine that I can possibly move. Then signal. Then quick check/hear a motorist slowing, then make my move. The motorist slowing sound is just enough to tell me there is a reaction to my signalling... I visually check (but still may not have eye contact) before I actually move.

On rare occasion not only do I get eye contact, but a signal from a motorist... this situation is the best... I KNOW I have co-operation then.