Originally Posted by John C. Ratliff
Situational awareness on a recumbant is easier, as we are not looking to the ground, but around. Mirrors work better too for over-the-seat steering.
I've never ridden a bent (would like to someday) but I find the characterization of non-bent riding as looking at the ground quite odd - my 'natural' look is ahead toward the horizon. I look and maintain situational awareness for all the places I do driving any vehicle, including sides and rear. Maybe the assumption here is that non-bent riders don't use mirrors? I use one.
Al