Ideas for checking for cars approaching from behind?

[Drago]

I'm must agree with zeclaud. I'm not particularly flexible but don't have any problems glancing behind. You need to be looking left and right regularly any way, which too few riders do, and no mirror can do that for you anyway.

 

[Archie_tect]

If you are hard of hearing you can't hear things behind- don't know anyone who uses headphones either- a mirror is great but few give you a clear rear view which isn't obscured by your own body getting in the way... that frame clamped one has been photoshopped - it would just give you a lovely view of your knee and torso!

I find it's a waste of time riding two abreast as you are constantly checking behind to pull in to let cars past... it's not a relaxing ride and is more hassle than it's worth attempting a conversation which I can't hear and if you don't pull in then you don't need to know what's behind you because you don't care anyway.

 

[Hitchington]

I'm must agree with zeclaud. I'm not particularly flexible but don't have any problems glancing behind. You need to be looking left and right regularly any way, which too few riders do, and no mirror can do that for you anyway.

I agree, get into the habit of doing it and eventually it becomes automatic

 

[theclaud]

I'm must agree with zeclaud.

I expect no less.

 

[stephec]

I agree, get into the habit of doing it and eventually it becomes automatic

Same here, there's no substitute for a look over the shoulder.

It always amazes me when I see a cyclist riding towards the back of a parked car who suddenly veers right without even a glance over the shoulder.

 

[Archie_tect]

But tho be fair stephec people behind a bike approaching a parked car know they are going to pull out so it's hardly a surprise when they do.

 

[theclaud]

But tho be fair stephec people behind a bike approaching a parked car know they are going to pull out so it's hardly a surprise when they do.

Motorists appear to hold some extraordinary beliefs, such as that cyclists can levitate, are indestructible, and have the power of invisibility. No wonder they are so jealous of us.

 

[stephec]

But tho be fair stephec people behind a bike approaching a parked car know they are going to pull out so it's hardly a surprise when they do.

I was thinking more from the point of view as to why you would just assume it's safe to pull out without checking, there's always the chance of a smidsy, it only takes a second or two to avoid it.

It's no good being able to say, "I was in the right there, you should've known what I was going to do," if you're in a hospital bed when you're saying it.

 

[vickster]

But tho be fair stephec people behind a bike approaching a parked car know they are going to pull out so it's hardly a surprise when they do.

You'd think but it's often not the case. Many seem to think a cyclist is going to stop behind a parked car and let them go past!

 

[Archie_tect]

I've never met an inconsiderate driver up here TC... though when we've hired bikes 'down south' there have been a few occasions as you describe!

 

[Archie_tect]

Perhaps it comes down to road positioning and confidence... and checking behind, though I've never stopped behind a parked vehicle yet.

 

[MontyVeda]

You'd think but it's often not the case. Many seem to think a cyclist is going to stop behind a parked car and let them go past!

yup... i think in the driver's version of the HC, there a bit that says "cyclists must give way to traffic behind them" although I'm yet to find a copy of the Driver's HC to check.

To the OP... just use your head... in more ways than one.

 

[mjr]

I find it's a waste of time riding two abreast as you are constantly checking behind to pull in to let cars past... it's not a relaxing ride and is more hassle than it's worth attempting a conversation which I can't hear and if you don't pull in then you don't need to know what's behind you because you don't care anyway.

Depends where you are. Out on the fens yesterday, we went along a couple of 2.5mile straights, sometimes able to see around the next few bends too, so little traffic that we could chat even one in front of another. The main incentive not to ride two abreast was the Dutch mountain we were climbing

Anyway, look around occasionally. I've never found a mirror I like that both works and doesn't get in the way. I can look around fairly easily without weaving (99.5% of the time) although I do ease off a bit because I can't quite bring myself to power into a space I'm not looking at.

 

[theclaud]

I've never met an inconsiderate driver up here TC...

I can only surmise that you've not ridden the B6341 from Alnwick to Rothbury...

 

[Archie_tect]

Noooo....you mad person!