Close call this morning
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 596
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Close call this morning
Had a close call with some yahoo in a beat up old pickup truck this morning.
It was on the busiest road of my commute two lanes each direction (3 in a few areas) plus a nice bike lane most of the time (Often green and very obvious). Traffic and lights usually keep car speed down so that biking is slightly slower to a big faster depending on traffic, and there are lots of bikes, particularly at commute times.
The incident happened after a bike lane merge. After a particular intersection where there just became a third lane, the bike lane ends after the light and bikes merge (this is well marked). This third lan becomes a turn lane. 3/4 of the way down this short block a green bike lane starts between the turn lane and other two lanes. Lights are timed so that bikes almost always get stopped here and slower bikers catch up. Normally when the light changes, a couple cars pass the bikes in the intersection, then there is a gap that the bikes will merge into. It is a wide lane, so some bikes who are turning may stay to the right, but most merge over to the left where the new bike lane will be, letting turning traffic pass on the right.
As normal today the light change, a couple cars when ahead. as I got to the lane I looked back and saw a big gap, signalled, checked again for space and nobody from the middle lane that might change lanes into me, and I looked good on both accounts. Still signaling I move into the lane, and then, signalling, the the left.
As I get to the left and right before the bike lane starts I hear a engine rev and look and see this old pickup that was behind me nearly hit me from behind or side as he changes lanes to the middle lane and passes me. Not sure how close he was from behind, but when he passed on my side he was inches away at first. Of course this guy starts cursing me out.
Luckily it was just a scare and nothing worse. I felt like I was being safe, and even another biker by me commented on it.
Maybe this guy was in a rush, but that move didn't get him anywhere faster - I passed him at the next few lights, and it wasn't till right before I turned for my office that he finally really passed me for good.
It was on the busiest road of my commute two lanes each direction (3 in a few areas) plus a nice bike lane most of the time (Often green and very obvious). Traffic and lights usually keep car speed down so that biking is slightly slower to a big faster depending on traffic, and there are lots of bikes, particularly at commute times.
The incident happened after a bike lane merge. After a particular intersection where there just became a third lane, the bike lane ends after the light and bikes merge (this is well marked). This third lan becomes a turn lane. 3/4 of the way down this short block a green bike lane starts between the turn lane and other two lanes. Lights are timed so that bikes almost always get stopped here and slower bikers catch up. Normally when the light changes, a couple cars pass the bikes in the intersection, then there is a gap that the bikes will merge into. It is a wide lane, so some bikes who are turning may stay to the right, but most merge over to the left where the new bike lane will be, letting turning traffic pass on the right.
As normal today the light change, a couple cars when ahead. as I got to the lane I looked back and saw a big gap, signalled, checked again for space and nobody from the middle lane that might change lanes into me, and I looked good on both accounts. Still signaling I move into the lane, and then, signalling, the the left.
As I get to the left and right before the bike lane starts I hear a engine rev and look and see this old pickup that was behind me nearly hit me from behind or side as he changes lanes to the middle lane and passes me. Not sure how close he was from behind, but when he passed on my side he was inches away at first. Of course this guy starts cursing me out.
Luckily it was just a scare and nothing worse. I felt like I was being safe, and even another biker by me commented on it.
Maybe this guy was in a rush, but that move didn't get him anywhere faster - I passed him at the next few lights, and it wasn't till right before I turned for my office that he finally really passed me for good.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,989
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2493 Post(s)
Liked 738 Times
in
522 Posts
Honestly, I read your post twice and I still don't exactly know what happened. Obviously it upset you. Hopefully writing about it will provide some catharsis. Now let it go. If you're doing it right it will happen again, and again. Just like it does when you drive. You do drive, don't you? I call it life among the heathen. Peace.
H
H
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 596
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yes, writing about it was slightly a vent to get it out. Yes I do drive, and know this happens and will happen again. I have calmed down mentally now, but still keep wondering if there was anything else I could do to avoid this in the future or if its just unavoidable. I have had some encounters before but this was the closest and the driver still seemed to act like he felt I was wrong for being there. I was doing what all the other bikers do there and what seems to be the legal and safe thing.
I do have a bright red blinky, but didn't have it on this morning. I usually turn it on part way into my ride (after the bike path section) but forgot to today. Maybe this would have helped catch they drivers eye. I also didn't have my usual High viz on today as my those jerseys were dirty. I wonder if either of those things would make a difference with him noticing/avoid me better. I tend to my guess is he looked back to change lanes and didn't see me move over).
A bike mirror is an interesting one. I wouldn't have been caught as off guard by this guy, and might have been able to move over a bit when he started approaching from behind had I had a mirror. I know there are a ton of threads about mirrors, but not sure what type of mirror would work best for me on a road bike with drop bars. I have seen some bar end ones but had questions as to how well they work. Maybe I should just try one, or maybe a helmet one, and see how it works.
Suggestions on mirrors from anyone who rides a road bike?
I do have a bright red blinky, but didn't have it on this morning. I usually turn it on part way into my ride (after the bike path section) but forgot to today. Maybe this would have helped catch they drivers eye. I also didn't have my usual High viz on today as my those jerseys were dirty. I wonder if either of those things would make a difference with him noticing/avoid me better. I tend to my guess is he looked back to change lanes and didn't see me move over).
A bike mirror is an interesting one. I wouldn't have been caught as off guard by this guy, and might have been able to move over a bit when he started approaching from behind had I had a mirror. I know there are a ton of threads about mirrors, but not sure what type of mirror would work best for me on a road bike with drop bars. I have seen some bar end ones but had questions as to how well they work. Maybe I should just try one, or maybe a helmet one, and see how it works.
Suggestions on mirrors from anyone who rides a road bike?
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 38,663
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5766 Post(s)
Liked 2,538 Times
in
1,404 Posts
One thing I learned riding in NYC traffic is a working meaning of the phrase "close only counts in Horseshoes". Biking here is almost a contact sport and we all ride/drive close. As a cyclist you simply get used to it. I don't consider anything a close call unless I hear the screech of a hard braking.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#6
Senior Member
I'm still toying with mirrors. If I had a drop bar, I would be tempted to try one of those bar end types. But...I have a mirror about "drop bar end" height on a bike and the Wald folding basket (think pannier) gets in the way when loaded.
Horseshoes, hand grenades...............and dancing.
Horseshoes, hand grenades...............and dancing.
#7
You gonna eat that?
I can't stress enough how important a mirror is for riding in traffic. Your incident is a classic case of why a mirror his helpful; you would have had a better idea of what was behind you before the engine started revving, and could have pro-actively chosen the best course of action for the situation. As someone else said, you could have faded right a bit to give yourself more room; if that wasn't feasible another thing I've done is simply use the hand signal for slow/stop (and to catch extra attention, open and close fingers kind of like flashing. It's funny how even with an aggressive driver, signaling to indicate you realize they're back there will usually make them back off. The other thing is that once I've made enough room for them to pass safely I wave them around and they usually appreciate that you know you're there and you've given them the all clear to go around.
As far as mirror recommendations go, I prefer a helmet mounted mirror.
As far as mirror recommendations go, I prefer a helmet mounted mirror.
#8
Galveston County Texas
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: In The Wind
Posts: 33,221
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1349 Post(s)
Liked 1,243 Times
in
621 Posts
Tried most of them, ended up with this one.
They all take about Three Days to get use to them.
MessengerMirror Cycling Mirror
They all take about Three Days to get use to them.
MessengerMirror Cycling Mirror
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
#9
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: NA
Posts: 4,267
Bikes: NA
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
7 Posts
On the one hand, I'm a bit of hypocrite but on the other, motorists have a terrible sense of space. (I do not mind close passes by bike bikes, scooters, or motorcycles.)
Last edited by spare_wheel; 07-10-14 at 02:38 PM.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Portland OR
Posts: 7,639
Bikes: 61 Bianchi Specialissima 71 Peugeot G50 7? P'geot PX10 74 Raleigh GranSport 75 P'geot UO8 78? Raleigh Team Pro 82 P'geot PSV 86 P'geot PX 91 Bridgestone MB0 92 B'stone XO1 97 Rans VRex 92 Cannondale R1000 94 B'stone MB5 97 Vitus 997
Mentioned: 146 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 392 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 49 Times
in
31 Posts
Take-A-Look mirror. Mounts to glasses, with a little creativity and a zip tie you can mount it to the visor of your helmet (what I do). Nice glass mirror, adjusts easily, all metal, bends instead of breaking, pretty cheap.
Robot Check
I'm used to cars passing me closely, like 12-24 inches. 24 feels like plenty of room, 12 will get my attention but in 5 seconds I've forgotten about it. But that is when everyone seems under control - I'm riding in a straight line, the driver is driving in a straight line, the speed delta is 5-15 mph,often I've seen them coming in my mirror - we're smoothly co-existing in tight quarters. Your incident sounds quite a bit different.
Robot Check
I'm used to cars passing me closely, like 12-24 inches. 24 feels like plenty of room, 12 will get my attention but in 5 seconds I've forgotten about it. But that is when everyone seems under control - I'm riding in a straight line, the driver is driving in a straight line, the speed delta is 5-15 mph,often I've seen them coming in my mirror - we're smoothly co-existing in tight quarters. Your incident sounds quite a bit different.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,989
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2493 Post(s)
Liked 738 Times
in
522 Posts
Good Lord, you mirror fanatics are as bad as the Go-Pro zealots. Full disclosure, I use a mirror, I know what it can and cannot do, and it cannot warn you about some cager sneaking up to take you out from behind unless you look! And if you are doing it right, you won't be looking! Your eyes will be on the road where they belong. Or not... maybe that's why most cyclists are injured by collisions with fixed objects than by being struck by other road users... ... Ford spent millions on a laser system that would alert a driver if a vehicle coming up from behind got closer than 8 feet. Hmmm. Given the size and location of all the mirrors in high performance automobiles why do you think such a system was necessary?! Hmmmm? It never went into production btw, like so many of the bright ideas that come out of the brainstorming of engineers. If you aren't sure... stay in your lane? What a concept.
But... ... lets say I don't know my @$$ from a Shetland Pony. Let's imagine that despite your attention being focused on the woman coming out of Starbuck's in a Vampirella costume, a mirror actually could override your temporary discombobulation and allow you to take efficient evasive action. Let's say that was actually possible. Do you think the best tool for that task would be a mirror 3/4" in diameter? I scoff in your general direction. Were I the o.p. looking for a new weapon in the war against terror, I would consider no less a piece of ordinance than the helmet mirror from Efficient Velo Tools. 2.75" of no nonsense rear view and it is the same distance from your eyeball as the dentists mirror is. Yeah baby! You might actually see something coming in that mirror that you weren't expecting, but I doubt that. Your ears will tell you more about what is or what isn't overtaking you than even the amazing "Safe Zone" mirror by EVT. A mirror is very useful for making attractive (to onlookers) lane changes and other maneuvers without having to twist like a pole dancer at the Jungle Room while doing it. Any other powers or attributes are (dangerous) artifacts of your febrile imagination. FWIW.
H
But... ... lets say I don't know my @$$ from a Shetland Pony. Let's imagine that despite your attention being focused on the woman coming out of Starbuck's in a Vampirella costume, a mirror actually could override your temporary discombobulation and allow you to take efficient evasive action. Let's say that was actually possible. Do you think the best tool for that task would be a mirror 3/4" in diameter? I scoff in your general direction. Were I the o.p. looking for a new weapon in the war against terror, I would consider no less a piece of ordinance than the helmet mirror from Efficient Velo Tools. 2.75" of no nonsense rear view and it is the same distance from your eyeball as the dentists mirror is. Yeah baby! You might actually see something coming in that mirror that you weren't expecting, but I doubt that. Your ears will tell you more about what is or what isn't overtaking you than even the amazing "Safe Zone" mirror by EVT. A mirror is very useful for making attractive (to onlookers) lane changes and other maneuvers without having to twist like a pole dancer at the Jungle Room while doing it. Any other powers or attributes are (dangerous) artifacts of your febrile imagination. FWIW.
H
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Lancaster, PA, USA
Posts: 1,851
Bikes: 2012 Trek Allant, 2016 Bianchi Volpe Disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
^ Agreed, but your ears don't work with electric cars. I've been surprised by a Prius more than once. Buses are bad too, since their engines are in the rear. The bus is next to me before I hear it.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Beaverton, OR
Posts: 14,742
Bikes: Yes
Mentioned: 525 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3230 Post(s)
Liked 3,865 Times
in
1,439 Posts
If I've read the first post correctly, I've got an intersection just like this along what used to be my normal route. It looks like this:
It used to have a bike lane on the right all the way to the turn, at which point bikes had to take to the sidewalk and use a traffic island to get across the intersection. When it was first re-painted as shown above I exchanged several e-mails with an engineer at the county who assured me the new configuration was the safest possible. His suggestion for how to safely navigate the disappearing-reappearing bike lane was exactly as described in the first post. I've ridden through there a good number of times since, and I think it's generally safer than it looks, but my ultimate solution has been to find a different route to avoid this completely.
Maybe I'm jaded, but it sounds to me like the close pass in the OP's case was intentional. A lot of drivers seem to take a no-harm-no-foul approach to driving and when provoked they will intentionally buzz a rider, thinking (incorrectly!) that a close call sends a message without doing any real violence to the cyclist.
As for how this can be avoided, minimizing your invisibility is never a bad thing. If my suspicion about the drivers' intent is correct, you still might be able to reduce the chances of this happening by trying to look shaky -- maybe wobble or weave a little as if you don't have complete control of the bike. If a driver isn't confident that you are going to hold your line, he's less likely to buzz you intentionally. Otherwise, long hair helps a little (if you're that committed). Someone here recently suggested riding around with a baby carrier behind your seat, which is a devilishly clever idea.
It used to have a bike lane on the right all the way to the turn, at which point bikes had to take to the sidewalk and use a traffic island to get across the intersection. When it was first re-painted as shown above I exchanged several e-mails with an engineer at the county who assured me the new configuration was the safest possible. His suggestion for how to safely navigate the disappearing-reappearing bike lane was exactly as described in the first post. I've ridden through there a good number of times since, and I think it's generally safer than it looks, but my ultimate solution has been to find a different route to avoid this completely.
Maybe I'm jaded, but it sounds to me like the close pass in the OP's case was intentional. A lot of drivers seem to take a no-harm-no-foul approach to driving and when provoked they will intentionally buzz a rider, thinking (incorrectly!) that a close call sends a message without doing any real violence to the cyclist.
As for how this can be avoided, minimizing your invisibility is never a bad thing. If my suspicion about the drivers' intent is correct, you still might be able to reduce the chances of this happening by trying to look shaky -- maybe wobble or weave a little as if you don't have complete control of the bike. If a driver isn't confident that you are going to hold your line, he's less likely to buzz you intentionally. Otherwise, long hair helps a little (if you're that committed). Someone here recently suggested riding around with a baby carrier behind your seat, which is a devilishly clever idea.
__________________
My Bikes
My Bikes
#15
You gonna eat that?
You'd be surprised.
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 596
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I can't stress enough how important a mirror is for riding in traffic. Your incident is a classic case of why a mirror his helpful; you would have had a better idea of what was behind you before the engine started revving, and could have pro-actively chosen the best course of action for the situation. As someone else said, you could have faded right a bit to give yourself more room; if that wasn't feasible another thing I've done is simply use the hand signal for slow/stop (and to catch extra attention, open and close fingers kind of like flashing. It's funny how even with an aggressive driver, signaling to indicate you realize they're back there will usually make them back off. The other thing is that once I've made enough room for them to pass safely I wave them around and they usually appreciate that you know you're there and you've given them the all clear to go around.
As far as mirror recommendations go, I prefer a helmet mounted mirror.
As far as mirror recommendations go, I prefer a helmet mounted mirror.
This may have convinced me to try a mirror though, something I have never really seen the need for before. My only fear with a mirror is I will then be to focused on the mirror more than the road ahead
#17
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 596
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Generally I don't think i need a mirror to change lanes, I feel much safer with shoulder checks. A mirror would let me know if something is approaching me quickly from behind that I didn't know about when NOT changing lanes and therefor not doing a shoulder check.
#18
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 596
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If I've read the first post correctly, I've got an intersection just like this along what used to be my normal route. It looks like this:
It used to have a bike lane on the right all the way to the turn, at which point bikes had to take to the sidewalk and use a traffic island to get across the intersection. When it was first re-painted as shown above I exchanged several e-mails with an engineer at the county who assured me the new configuration was the safest possible. His suggestion for how to safely navigate the disappearing-reappearing bike lane was exactly as described in the first post. I've ridden through there a good number of times since, and I think it's generally safer than it looks, but my ultimate solution has been to find a different route to avoid this completely.
Maybe I'm jaded, but it sounds to me like the close pass in the OP's case was intentional. A lot of drivers seem to take a no-harm-no-foul approach to driving and when provoked they will intentionally buzz a rider, thinking (incorrectly!) that a close call sends a message without doing any real violence to the cyclist.
As for how this can be avoided, minimizing your invisibility is never a bad thing. If my suspicion about the drivers' intent is correct, you still might be able to reduce the chances of this happening by trying to look shaky -- maybe wobble or weave a little as if you don't have complete control of the bike. If a driver isn't confident that you are going to hold your line, he's less likely to buzz you intentionally. Otherwise, long hair helps a little (if you're that committed). Someone here recently suggested riding around with a baby carrier behind your seat, which is a devilishly clever idea.
It used to have a bike lane on the right all the way to the turn, at which point bikes had to take to the sidewalk and use a traffic island to get across the intersection. When it was first re-painted as shown above I exchanged several e-mails with an engineer at the county who assured me the new configuration was the safest possible. His suggestion for how to safely navigate the disappearing-reappearing bike lane was exactly as described in the first post. I've ridden through there a good number of times since, and I think it's generally safer than it looks, but my ultimate solution has been to find a different route to avoid this completely.
Maybe I'm jaded, but it sounds to me like the close pass in the OP's case was intentional. A lot of drivers seem to take a no-harm-no-foul approach to driving and when provoked they will intentionally buzz a rider, thinking (incorrectly!) that a close call sends a message without doing any real violence to the cyclist.
As for how this can be avoided, minimizing your invisibility is never a bad thing. If my suspicion about the drivers' intent is correct, you still might be able to reduce the chances of this happening by trying to look shaky -- maybe wobble or weave a little as if you don't have complete control of the bike. If a driver isn't confident that you are going to hold your line, he's less likely to buzz you intentionally. Otherwise, long hair helps a little (if you're that committed). Someone here recently suggested riding around with a baby carrier behind your seat, which is a devilishly clever idea.
Yes, very similar, except that the bike lane actually ends before crossing the first intersection and you are merged into a single lane with cars a bit longer before the bike lane starts again on the left. Our bike lane here is also bright green and there is a bike merge sign, but I guess many drivers don't pay attention to signs anyway.
It is supposed to be safe as it avoids right hooks (a TON of cars and buses make this right turn as its a major road into downtown). Most of the time it seems very safe, except for the occasional driver trying to enter the turn lane late or illegally turn from the middle lane (both have happened to me but in front of me so I could stop/slow down. This was the first time I had a problem with someone from behind like this.
I suspect driver didn't realize I was going to keep going to the left where there was a bike lane about to start, and then looked back to check for cars to change lanes himself.
I like the baby carrier idea, but not sure its worth the weight when i climb
#19
Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Manhattan, NYC
Posts: 40
Bikes: Specialized Crossroads
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
One thing I learned riding in NYC traffic is a working meaning of the phrase "close only counts in Horseshoes". Biking here is almost a contact sport and we all ride/drive close. As a cyclist you simply get used to it. I don't consider anything a close call unless I hear the screech of a hard braking.
I just ordered a mirror to help me survive. One of these:
Last edited by peskypesky; 07-10-14 at 07:19 PM.
#20
Senior Member
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 6,432
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 539 Post(s)
Liked 44 Times
in
38 Posts
Wonder if it works as well on a bike? Looks like the demo video is on a standing elliptical bike.
#22
Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Manhattan, NYC
Posts: 40
Bikes: Specialized Crossroads
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: D'uh... I am a Cutter
Posts: 6,139
Bikes: '17 Access Old Turnpike Gravel bike, '14 Trek 1.1, '13 Cannondale CAAD 10, '98 CAD 2, R300
Mentioned: 62 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1571 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
9 Posts
Mirrors are good things. I ride with a mirror. I also ride with the knowledge that cycling most certainly does and will attract ouchies.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 7,384
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 218 Times
in
171 Posts
… The only thing a mirror would have done was let me know sooner that I had a fast paced lane changing truck coming up my rear, maybe giving me some time to move out of its path, but maybe not….
A mirror would let me know if something is approaching me quickly from behind that I didn't know about when NOT changing lanes and therefor not doing a shoulder check.
A mirror would let me know if something is approaching me quickly from behind that I didn't know about when NOT changing lanes and therefor not doing a shoulder check.
I wear two rearview mirrors, right and left, Take-a-Look eyeglass mounted mirrors.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 07-11-14 at 03:49 AM.
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Brodhead, WI - south of Madison
Posts: 2,928
Bikes: 2009 Trek 1.2
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 239 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
1 Post
Good Lord, you mirror fanatics are as bad as the Go-Pro zealots. Full disclosure, I use a mirror, I know what it can and cannot do, and it cannot warn you about some cager sneaking up to take you out from behind unless you look! And if you are doing it right, you won't be looking! Your eyes will be on the road where they belong. Or not... maybe that's why most cyclists are injured by collisions with fixed objects than by being struck by other road users... ... Ford spent millions on a laser system that would alert a driver if a vehicle coming up from behind got closer than 8 feet. Hmmm. Given the size and location of all the mirrors in high performance automobiles why do you think such a system was necessary?! Hmmmm? It never went into production btw, like so many of the bright ideas that come out of the brainstorming of engineers. If you aren't sure... stay in your lane? What a concept.
But... ... lets say I don't know my @$$ from a Shetland Pony. Let's imagine that despite your attention being focused on the woman coming out of Starbuck's in a Vampirella costume, a mirror actually could override your temporary discombobulation and allow you to take efficient evasive action. Let's say that was actually possible. Do you think the best tool for that task would be a mirror 3/4" in diameter? I scoff in your general direction. Were I the o.p. looking for a new weapon in the war against terror, I would consider no less a piece of ordinance than the helmet mirror from Efficient Velo Tools. 2.75" of no nonsense rear view and it is the same distance from your eyeball as the dentists mirror is. Yeah baby! You might actually see something coming in that mirror that you weren't expecting, but I doubt that. Your ears will tell you more about what is or what isn't overtaking you than even the amazing "Safe Zone" mirror by EVT. A mirror is very useful for making attractive (to onlookers) lane changes and other maneuvers without having to twist like a pole dancer at the Jungle Room while doing it. Any other powers or attributes are (dangerous) artifacts of your febrile imagination. FWIW.
H
But... ... lets say I don't know my @$$ from a Shetland Pony. Let's imagine that despite your attention being focused on the woman coming out of Starbuck's in a Vampirella costume, a mirror actually could override your temporary discombobulation and allow you to take efficient evasive action. Let's say that was actually possible. Do you think the best tool for that task would be a mirror 3/4" in diameter? I scoff in your general direction. Were I the o.p. looking for a new weapon in the war against terror, I would consider no less a piece of ordinance than the helmet mirror from Efficient Velo Tools. 2.75" of no nonsense rear view and it is the same distance from your eyeball as the dentists mirror is. Yeah baby! You might actually see something coming in that mirror that you weren't expecting, but I doubt that. Your ears will tell you more about what is or what isn't overtaking you than even the amazing "Safe Zone" mirror by EVT. A mirror is very useful for making attractive (to onlookers) lane changes and other maneuvers without having to twist like a pole dancer at the Jungle Room while doing it. Any other powers or attributes are (dangerous) artifacts of your febrile imagination. FWIW.
H
While mirrors have their place, they're not a panacea. I've toyed with the idea, heck I even bought one to attach to my helmet, but I've never installed it.
For me, I don't mind looking back over my shoulder (and mercifully I'm still flexible enough to do it). I also believe that if I monitored a mirror everytime someone passed me I'd be mortified, especially since a lot of my riding is in an urban setting. I also worry that watching a mirror might make me drift to the left, into the car(s) that are about to pass me. I'd rather rely on my ears and trust drivers.
And lastly ... I sort of believe if it's your time to go, it's your time (or even to just get injured) and there's a part of me that doesn't want to know. Morbid, I know.