I've noticed in parts of London they've attached mirrors to traffic lights - the type usually used for seeing around blind entrances. I figured this is to allow car and truck drivers to see cyclists in their blind spots. Does anyone know if this is right? Seems like a good idea if drivers use them.
Mirrors on traffic lights
- Thread starter Buddfox
- Start date
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Matthew_T
"Young and Ex-whippet"
- Location
- Prestatyn, North Wales
It does seem like a good idea. Never seen them myself though.
moralcrusader
Active Member
- Location
- South of the river.
Yup, Trixi mirrors. The've been installed on some of the Cycle Superhighways since last year. Good, and helpful idea, but no substitute for not undertaking lorries and buses at traffic lights in the first place.
gaz
Cycle Camera TV
- Location
- South Croydon
Trixi mirrors are a waist of time in my opinion and they make the idea of dangerous filtering and bad road position OK.
BentMikey
Rider of Seolferwulf
- Location
- South London
A waste of a wasp's waist? 
gaz
Cycle Camera TV
- Location
- South Croydon
[QUOTE 1532243"]
Hmm, agreed, but whose fault is this? Ask any cyclist in the above position and I reckon they'll plead ignorance. I think it's a good measure. The risk will always be there, this is another way to reduce left turning collisions. Provided the mirror is checked of course.
[/quote]
of course.
The problems I have with it, it only works if the large vehicle is at the front of the queue, it only works if the large vehicle has stopped at/before the first stop line and most crucially it only works if the driver looks.
If they save one life, then they are worth it.
Hmm, agreed, but whose fault is this? Ask any cyclist in the above position and I reckon they'll plead ignorance. I think it's a good measure. The risk will always be there, this is another way to reduce left turning collisions. Provided the mirror is checked of course.
[/quote]
of course.
The problems I have with it, it only works if the large vehicle is at the front of the queue, it only works if the large vehicle has stopped at/before the first stop line and most crucially it only works if the driver looks.
If they save one life, then they are worth it.
mr_cellophane
Legendary Member
- Location
- Essex
I've only seen one, on the corner of Cotton Street at the junction with Naval Row in Poplar. CS3 runs along Naval Row so the mirror isn't on the same road as CS3.
Scruffmonster
Über Member
- Location
- London/Kent
Saw some of these out and about at the weekend. Was going to post something new but saw this old thread.
I've noticed some of these mirrors when on the bike. Experienced them as a motorist for the first time. They're amazing. I've read the thread and I understand peoples comments of it being no substitute for driving or cycling safely.... But damn they're effective.
Maybe it's the distorted shape of the mirror, but it's exceptionally easy to detect moving things behind you, and you can see so much of the space around you.
I'd like to see more of them. Happy to be shown some negatives obviously.
I've noticed some of these mirrors when on the bike. Experienced them as a motorist for the first time. They're amazing. I've read the thread and I understand peoples comments of it being no substitute for driving or cycling safely.... But damn they're effective.
Maybe it's the distorted shape of the mirror, but it's exceptionally easy to detect moving things behind you, and you can see so much of the space around you.
I'd like to see more of them. Happy to be shown some negatives obviously.
Miquel In De Rain
No Longer Posting
Useful for us as well.
subaqua
What’s the point
- Location
- Leytonstone
seen several and as Gaz says , only work if the driver actually looks. i prefer to not go up the inside of large vehicles as i prefer my insides on the inside not on the outside.
Miquel In De Rain
No Longer Posting
Scruffmonster
Über Member
- Location
- London/Kent
Those two things can remain mutually exclusive.
Any cyclist that assumes they've been seen is beyond foolish.
Any tool that helps cyclists and other road users see each other is a good thing.
subaqua
What’s the point
- Location
- Leytonstone
i have a hammer that can knock nails in. but unless it is used it won't do it on its own. if i don't use it properly it can hurt me or others
its great to have the tools, but if they are not used then they become irrelevant
That looks like you are suggesting that no one should be allowed hammers because a few people might misuse them. Unlike hammers, though, there is no "not using them properly" with these mirrors.
If they help 10 out of 100 but the other 90 ignore them, I'd still call them a good thing.
subaqua
What’s the point
- Location
- Leytonstone
why do people assume i am saying they are not a good thing. they are a great idea. but if they are not used then there is no point to them is there.
its using equipment to overcome poor technique, in cyclists as well as drivers rather than equipment to enhance a already good technique.
I will stick to not riding up the in side of large vehicles , rather than hoping that a mirror that may or may not be being used will stop me getting squished.
rather arrive late than not at all
