Comments on: Via Bike! Basic bicycle handling #ghcc http://blog.cascade.org/2011/05/basic-bicycle-handling/ Creating a better community through bicycling, throughout Seattle, King County and Washington state. Fri, 24 May 2013 21:32:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Carmageddon is upon us! « Cascade Bicycle Club Blog http://blog.cascade.org/2011/05/basic-bicycle-handling/comment-page-1/#comment-28985 Carmageddon is upon us! « Cascade Bicycle Club Blog Wed, 19 Oct 2011 17:06:18 +0000 http://blog.cascade.org/?p=5494#comment-28985 [...] a little more help? Here are our tips for riding on the road, what all the paint means, and the essential gear for riding in [...] [...] a little more help? Here are our tips for riding on the road, what all the paint means, and the essential gear for riding in [...]

]]> By: RickG http://blog.cascade.org/2011/05/basic-bicycle-handling/comment-page-1/#comment-19496 RickG Fri, 06 May 2011 17:04:50 +0000 http://blog.cascade.org/?p=5494#comment-19496 A mirror is near the top of my safety equipment list, close behind brakes. I use a 3rd Eye round bar-end mount - easier for me to glance down at a fixed point than to cock my head just right for the helmet mounted mirror to work. The mirror lets me keep a watch on my "6" - actually my "6 - 7:30." My ears and a quick look around tell me about what's to my left beyond 7:30. Got used to the mirror and then had to ride without one for a day or so, and I felt much less safe on the road. I strongly recommend them, but don't think they should be legally mandated. A mirror is near the top of my safety equipment list, close behind brakes. I use a 3rd Eye round bar-end mount – easier for me to glance down at a fixed point than to cock my head just right for the helmet mounted mirror to work. The mirror lets me keep a watch on my “6″ – actually my “6 – 7:30.” My ears and a quick look around tell me about what’s to my left beyond 7:30. Got used to the mirror and then had to ride without one for a day or so, and I felt much less safe on the road. I strongly recommend them, but don’t think they should be legally mandated.

]]> By: Tom http://blog.cascade.org/2011/05/basic-bicycle-handling/comment-page-1/#comment-19492 Tom Fri, 06 May 2011 16:39:12 +0000 http://blog.cascade.org/?p=5494#comment-19492 Limitations or not- I take advantage of several pieces of safety equipment (mirror, helmet, reflective vest, head and tail lights and most importantly- brain). But I think mandating them would do little good. Law enforcement doesn't have the manpower or inclination to enforce traffic laws where bikes are concerned, so enforcing equipment laws is unlikely. Limitations or not- I take advantage of several pieces of safety equipment (mirror, helmet, reflective vest, head and tail lights and most importantly- brain). But I think mandating them would do little good. Law enforcement doesn’t have the manpower or inclination to enforce traffic laws where bikes are concerned, so enforcing equipment laws is unlikely.

]]> By: Cro-Mo-Fo-rever http://blog.cascade.org/2011/05/basic-bicycle-handling/comment-page-1/#comment-19402 Cro-Mo-Fo-rever Thu, 05 May 2011 20:24:12 +0000 http://blog.cascade.org/?p=5494#comment-19402 My personal favorite: MIRRYCLE <a href="http://www.mirrycle.com/original_mirror.php" rel="nofollow">http://www.mirrycle.com/product%20images%20large/original_mirror.jpg</a> My personal favorite: MIRRYCLE

http://www.mirrycle.com/product%20images%20large/original_mirror.jpg

]]> By: Jim http://blog.cascade.org/2011/05/basic-bicycle-handling/comment-page-1/#comment-19385 Jim Thu, 05 May 2011 15:52:35 +0000 http://blog.cascade.org/?p=5494#comment-19385 While I also do not agree that mirrors ought to be mandatory, I think it is a little odd that John suggests that the main reason people use them is because some people have "limitations". I have used a mirror that either clips onto my sunglasses, or onto my helmet for 30+ years. It certainly does reduce neck strain, which could be an issue when you are older, but commenter Lamar is quite right, you miss what is going on in front of you if you are continuously turning around to look behind you, and often your direction may change a bit. I have found that some style concious cyclists don't use mirrors because they think them un-cool. I don't care what others think about coolness, they just make riding safer. I think the helmet mounted ones are best. I suggest you try one for a few weeks. Once you get used to how easily and quickly you can check behind you with a slight cock of your head, you may be convinced. While I also do not agree that mirrors ought to be mandatory, I think it is a little odd that John suggests that the main reason people use them is because some people have “limitations”. I have used a mirror that either clips onto my sunglasses, or onto my helmet for 30+ years. It certainly does reduce neck strain, which could be an issue when you are older, but commenter Lamar is quite right, you miss what is going on in front of you if you are continuously turning around to look behind you, and often your direction may change a bit.

I have found that some style concious cyclists don’t use mirrors because they think them un-cool. I don’t care what others think about coolness, they just make riding safer. I think the helmet mounted ones are best. I suggest you try one for a few weeks. Once you get used to how easily and quickly you can check behind you with a slight cock of your head, you may be convinced.

]]> By: Elliot http://blog.cascade.org/2011/05/basic-bicycle-handling/comment-page-1/#comment-19383 Elliot Thu, 05 May 2011 15:07:42 +0000 http://blog.cascade.org/?p=5494#comment-19383 Even when using a mirror you have to take a quick look to scan for potenial traffic conflicts regardless if you are riding a bike, motorcycle, or driving a car because of blind spots that mirror just can't cover. Even when using a mirror you have to take a quick look to scan for potenial traffic conflicts regardless if you are riding a bike, motorcycle, or driving a car because of blind spots that mirror just can’t cover.

]]> By: John http://blog.cascade.org/2011/05/basic-bicycle-handling/comment-page-1/#comment-19380 John Thu, 05 May 2011 14:21:13 +0000 http://blog.cascade.org/?p=5494#comment-19380 I disagree with making mirrors mandatory. It's fine if you have limitations and need to use a device for help. Don't think that everyone shares your limitations. The last thing we need is this mommy state requiring us to hang another piece of junk on our helmets or bikes. Ride safe. Be aware of what's around you. Make quick glances to check your intended path if you're turning or merging. I disagree with making mirrors mandatory. It’s fine if you have limitations and need to use a device for help. Don’t think that everyone shares your limitations. The last thing we need is this mommy state requiring us to hang another piece of junk on our helmets or bikes.

Ride safe. Be aware of what’s around you. Make quick glances to check your intended path if you’re turning or merging.

]]> By: lamar http://blog.cascade.org/2011/05/basic-bicycle-handling/comment-page-1/#comment-19377 lamar Thu, 05 May 2011 12:57:05 +0000 http://blog.cascade.org/?p=5494#comment-19377 while looking over the shoulder was the old (pre-mirror) preferred option, i won't ride without a mirror -- anytime the eyes leave the road ahead a rider is at great risk (the same as driving a car - the reason side mirrors were developed and made a requirement.) worst case scenerio is a car suddenly appearing from a side street or driveway, to hitting a small object at the wrong angle and going down. eyes should rarely leave the road ahead, and never, never in commute hour traffic. MIRRORS should be mandatory just as they are for cars! (most experienced riders prefer a helmet mirror.) while looking over the shoulder was the old (pre-mirror) preferred option, i won’t ride without a mirror — anytime the eyes leave the road ahead a rider is at great risk (the same as driving a car – the reason side mirrors were developed and made a requirement.) worst case scenerio is a car suddenly appearing from a side street or driveway, to hitting a small object at the wrong angle and going down. eyes should rarely leave the road ahead, and never, never in commute hour traffic. MIRRORS should be mandatory just as they are for cars! (most experienced riders prefer a helmet mirror.)

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