Chris516

Ridiculous to you, essential to me.

25mph

I don't use a mirror.

Chris516

I don't expect them to be smart. I expect them to be stupid. Knowing that, I ride accordingly.

Chris516

ditto!!!!!

Camilo

I'm one of the non mirror folks (NOT anti-mirror!). I don't think I've ever reported drama or close calls. I don't have any particular fear when I ride in traffic, just ultra caution in the truely dangerous situations - intersections, not overtaking cars.

I really don't recall any correlation between mirrors, non-mirrors and traffic anger or paranoia. It could be there, but I wouldn't draw that correlation from what I've read.

Rx Rider

tell how your mirror helps you in a left cross situation, a right hook, a pull out or a door?
why don't you spend more time concentrating on the road in front of you and less time freaking out about any and all possibilities behind you? if you're that scared, you should take the bus. believing a mirror is helpful is one thing but you're trying to share your phobia and I'm just not that into your fear.
"ears have exceptional directional sensitivity" you say it like it's a joke. you should read up on how incredible senses really are. unless you never use these senses and then of course you would de-evolve and require some sort of aid to achieve what biology had blessed you with, then you'd have to mock others around you for not using the tools that made you lazy in the first place. 22 catch.

Chris516

I feel the same way. I tried to use, first a handlebar mirror. Then one mounted on my helmet. Neither worked for me. I found mirrors far too distracting.

But for those that do use mirrors, if that is what works for them, more power to them.

njkayaker

It's even more ridiculous then.

You didn't understand what you were replying too.

dynodonn 

I had a recent conversation with one of our local cyclists, and judging by the amount of tire wear his bike had it appeared that he has ridden a number of miles. The cyclist noticed the mirror on my bike and made the comment that he did not want one because he was afraid to see what was going on behind him. After reviewing many of my rear cam videos I can somewhat, but not totally, relate to his concern.

cycronin

Just an example from my daily commute: On the way home, on the final stretch of road, I have to make a left turn. I'll usually ride on the right shoulder or on the edge of the road depending on how much debris is scattered on the shoulder, but at some point before my turn I have to move over to the left side of the lane. I glance in my eye glass mirror to see what cars are coming up behind me. If I see a car, I know I can't make it over. I may need to slow down to avoid passing the turn if I don't get a timely opportunity to make the turn. I can determine all this without turning my head (and keeping my eyes on the road for debris). If I see a clearing I'll double check by turning my head and then take it. Without the mirror I'd probably have to turn my head to see what's coming 3-5 times during this short stretch, since the road curves before the turn and new oncoming cars can appear quickly. I don't think I could confidently do this in the flow of traffic without a mirror. I'd probably have to stop across the street from where I turn and "look both ways" to cross.

chrisb71

I just got a mirror a few months ago, and it is probably the biggest safety improvement change I've made. It is great being able to see almost everywhere without having to turn my head (and potentially turn the bike). No longer am I surprised by people (bikes or cars) passing quickly and closely, and I can see and react to anything going on behind me.

I didn't really see the need for one until I got one, now I love it and feel like my awareness is hindered without it. (It's similar to when I drive a car other than my Subaru impreza wagon. i have 360 degree vision in that thing, with the narrow doorposts. But if I drive a regular car, i feel like I am imprisoned in a box with barely any sightlines ).

genec

By allowing me to keep my head forward and aware of traffic that is in front of me, and by improving my overall awareness of traffic behind and to the left of me. I am no longer constrained to having to turn my head and or whole upper body to see what is going on behind me before I make a lateral change in higher speed traffic. It is no more a fear thing than having a mirror in a car is a fear thing. There are those folks that somehow think that mirror users are staring at their mirrors and watching for each and every car approaching from the rear, and that is simply NOT the case. I use my bike mirror no more than I do the mirrors in my car... I glance at the mirror and simply am aware of traffic all around me.

dynodonn 

For me, a mirror has been an excellent addition in my being able to work urban traffic, and plus if one knew the status of the rear approaching traffic a split second earlier, one could be more confident in making an evasive maneuver much more fluid than hesitating that much needed fraction of a second.

adamtki

+1 on the last point. It's nice and relaxing riding in the middle of the lane knowing that no cars are approaching. That by itself makes the mirror worth using.

I've tried handlebar mirrors but they're not helpful when you're going over 20mph unless you're on a very smooth stretch of road.

For those that think mirrors are not necessary, try driving your car without ANY mirrors. Drive without the rear view mirror and don't look at the side mirrors. You'll realize how much better mirrors make it for drivers... same thing applies for bicyclists except most bicyclists don't realize that.

Rx Rider

seriously? another riding a bike is just like driving a car analogy, hmmm maybe we don't realize the same applies for both because it doesn't, they're not the same thing and if you think they're the same then you're not doing one of them right. do you use your mirrors in your car to drive down the middle of the street? is there a reason the sides of the roads don't work as well? and one last question, where on my bike will I find the "a", "b" and "c" pillars? since it's the same as a car evidently.

sudo bike

The idea is not that cars and bikes are the same and so they should have identical equipment; a bike with airbags might be kinda silly (although I'm sure there's a market ). The idea is that mirrors are on cars because it helps vastly in traffic navigation. I'm not sure why that applies to one and not the other? I mean, you can still turn your head and check traffic in a car, right? In fact, it is recommended because mirrors on a car can't cover all the blind spots the mass of the car creates, right? Actually, you could argue that because of that, mirrors are actually somewhat less useful on cars rather than bikes, at least at lower speed operation. Head mounted mirrors in particular have no blind spot except to your very immediate side (which a small glance can easily cover).

njkayaker

You are working too hard.

In most passenger cars (not talking about trucks, for example), mirrors can be set-up so there are no "blind spots" that are big enough to hide other motor vehicles. The blind spots that exist for other things aren't accessible to turning around and looking. One big difference between cars and bicycles is that cars can easily have multiple large mirrors.

Many bicycle riders do just fine without mirrors; many do just fine with them.

The problem with this thread is the arguments that one way is "better". In fact, no one has presented any evidence that one or the other, executed skillfully, is better. There's ample evidence that either can work.

I certainly know mirror users who are less aware of things going on around them than many non-mirror users. They might be better-off first learning how not to need the mirror.

Bekologist

That may be all well and good, but mirrors are unquestionably 'better', like riding at night with a bright light is 'better' than a dim light, or using a very bright taillight is 'better' than simply using the required red reflector.

using a mirror is 'better' than not using one. is there going to be some evidence like a double blind safety study? no. Yet there is widespread personal reporting by many riders of mirrors as an aid to enhancing the rear view.

that mirrors are even sold to cyclists are a sign of their 'effectiveness' and there is so much anecdotal 'evidence' among the cycling community that yes, indeed, mirrors enable a rider to more clearly read traffic behind them.

it's unequivocal mirrors, when used properly, enable a clearer rear view. this is 'better' for the bicyclist.

SPlKE 

I think we can all agree that mirrors are a requirement for people who are unable to turn their head and hold a line at the same time.

Bekologist

actually, we can't agree on that, spike.

a lot of riders that use mirrors

a) sometimes ride without mirrors;
b)can turn their head (and use head checks); and
c)are able ride a straight line while looking behind.

they choose to use mirrors because they provide an advantage.

see?

SPlKE 

No. We can agree on my statement. We just need to try a little harder.

genec

Not hardly.

As I mentioned earlier, my primary use of a mirror is on my commuter, when I am in high speed traffic and I need to see further back than just a head turn can give... and keep an eye on traffic in front.

himespau 

I'll give you that. I won't go so far as to say they're unnecessary or unhelpful for people who can turn their heads and hold a line at the same time, but I will say anyone who can't do those two things together should use them. For the rest of us? Well, I think they're helpful and make my life easier and my rides safer, but if anyone else doesn't, well as long as you can hold your line and don't cause a safety problem for me when you're turning around to look I guess that's your choice. Heck, I don't always use them. I'm migrating from drop bar bar end mounted ones to a helmet mounted one (after using glasses mounted ones for a couple years), and haven't gotten the positioning right yet, so sometimes I just say screw it and take it off. But then I'm the type of rider who believes a mirror can only tell me "no", and not yes, so I always follow up a mirror glance with a turn and look before making any traffic maneuvers, so I don't really have a dog in this fight.

Dodgensince74

this is me, I have one bike with a mirror that is my long(for me) ride bike and my non mirrored short ride bike and it is obvious that I need to get another mirror

genec

Some one once said mirrors have a one word vocabulary... they can only say "no," not yes. I agree.

As far as this being a "fight," hardly. To use a mirror or not is the choice of the rider and their traffic situations. No fight... just reasons why some use them and some don't. I only use a mirror on my commuter. The traffic I encounter when I commute is such that a mirror works well for me.

To each, their own...

njkayaker

"Better" or bettor? What sort of waffling are the quotes implying.

Many people manage just fine without mirrors. Some people are worse with mirrors.

Oddly, a tail-light is just there: it doesn't require any sort of technique.