How often do you check behind you ?

[Tin Pot]

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 .

Only when about to perform a manoeuvre.

What's the point in knowing what's behind you, if they're going to try to kill you, you won't know until it's too late anyway.

 

[Drago]

It's worth knowing what's behind you as it can also affect the behaviour of those ahead of you or coming towards you. Full situational awareness is important in predicting he behaviour of others and deciding on an appropriate response in your own riding.

 

[totallyfixed]

Round these parts not often, once every few minutes and that only because the wind through my mudguards sometimes sounds like a car is behind me, on any ride around the lanes here less than one car per mile overtakes us, more like 1 car per 3 miles.

 

[ColinJ]

I check whenever I feel it is necessary, which depends on where I am, what I am doing, what I can hear, and on top of that, the occasional check to make sure somebody isn't sneaking up on me.

I was caught out a few weeks ago though by a super-fast, super-silent, super-stupid cyclist who overtook me frighteningly close on a potholed road just as I was about to swerve round a hole that I hadn't spotted until the last moment.

I have a problem though ... my neck is getting ever more stiff and sore as this year progresses. It is getting harder and harder to turn my head. I think I damaged something months ago by falling asleep with my head in an awkward position. I must start doing some remedial exercises for it.

 

[mustang1]

I continually look backwards. What you might want to ask is how often do you look forwards.

Kidding aside, I look all over the place, and frequently too. Especially in reflections to check my fat portfolio.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

Once or twice a year, whether I need to or not.

 

[Levo-Lon]

For me it is a combination of hearing, sight, local knowledge and a sixth sense

There are certain roads where I use mirrors and checks more than others

Do you see Dead People...it was a good film

 

[ufkacbln]

Do you see Dead People...it was a good film

This was a post from a while back.... showing the value of a sixth sens

Tonight coming home on the Gekko (recumbent trike)...

The lights ahead of me are red, and I glanced in the mirror.

I still can't work out why, but I felt that the car behind me was too fast and steered into the filter lane and on to the Cams Hall Estate.

I am so glad that I obeyed my "sixth sense" as I hate to think what would have happened if I had simply stopped at the lights!