How often do you check behind you ?

[Mr_Kipling]

I was reviewing footage of myself cycling through London where I commute and I worked out that I looked in my mirror on my handlebars on average once every 10 seconds [ including checking over my shoulder]

As cyclists I believe We get overtaken on the road more than most vehicles do.

So out of curiosity, I was wondering how often other cyclists on average check what's behind them.

Or is just checking behind you not important unless you're moving position ?

I read most of the recent topic about having a mirror on your bike, but in general I'm referring to checking what's behind you with or without a mirror .

 

[shouldbeinbed]

I'm a mirror man and probably the same, always flicking my eyes mirrorwards.

 

[Racing roadkill]

I use my hearing. If I hear anything behind me, I have a look.

 

[xxDarkRiderxx]

I only check prior to doing a maneuver either turning left or right or around other cyclists going slower than me (which is not often) or around stationary vehicles. I use hand signals to inform traffic what I intend to do. Mirror would probably be a good idea as the old neck is getting stiff.

 

[gbb]

Certainly I always do if I'm going to move off my normal line, otherwise I do sporadically, no specifc time...just as and when.

 

[Crackle]

I flick a glance back at most overtaking vehicles when I hear them. I can identify an awful lot with hearing though. That gardening truck towing a trailer (large tyre noise and a trailer rattle), that X5 or BMW saloon (tyre noise, auto box), big trucks in most varieties. Strangely the one that often eludes me by noise, is a bus, probably because the engine is at the back.

 

[DaveReading]

In traffic, on a road where drivers can easily pass me without posing any danger, I don't care who or what is behind me unless I need to manoeuvre or I'm approaching a pinch point.

On a narrower road I use my ears to warn me of vehicles coming up behind me.

 

[Drago]

A lot, and most especially before turning left or right or moving within a lane. A lot of the helmet cam Taliban make me crime, oblivious to their own appalling roadcraft in this regard while merrily moaning about the cagers.

A lot of my riding is on country roads and helps a lot, as I can usually hear vehicles long before I can see them. Every little helps.

 

[numbnuts]

On my trike I have two mirrors and constantly looking at both of them.

 

[andytheflyer]

Mirror (Bike Eye), frequently, because I have 4 of my neck vertebrae surgically fused into 1 - so looking round is difficult - but I always look round before turning right I was taught this when learning to ride a motorbike maybe 35 years ago. It works on a bike too.

 

[rdfcyclist]

I look behind if I'm:

• Moving across a lane
• Overtaking
• Being overtaken
• Turning right
• Being drafted (rarely when drafting)

There are situations where I can hear the road is safe behind, suicidal pedestrian walks into road, driver doesn't know how junctions work, etc. and I will change the rule to either look/not look.

 

[Lonestar]

Random plus any maneuver or noise.Sixth sense like Aldgate and the Chelsea tractor in the pinch point the other day.

 

[winjim]

Almost constantly when commuting down the busy dual carriageway as I filter at speed and manouvre between lanes, less so when out in the country. I got cross twice today at cyclists ahead of me suddenly slowing and turning off without shoulder checking or indicating. I wasn't drafting or anything, I was a safe distance, but we were going at a fair lick and it was enough to make me dab the brakes and wonder what they were doing.

 

[Onthedrops]

On a very frequent basis, especially when moving off line.
I generally take a peek well before a right hand turn to give myself to signal and position. After riding motorbikes for many years I do it automatically. I guess that's why I'm still around.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Always before changing direction, often when riding a narrow road in case there are wannabes must get in front in spite speed bumps, randomly in areas heavy trafficked, specially when there are lots of cyclists about
Always when stopped at the lights, in case the driver behind did not see me, accelerates at the green, flattens me
When there are buses or big lorries behind me (driver higher up) I turn, smile and wave at them ... please don't squash me!