Safety and Education Committee Report
Seeing Behind You
I recently took a bicycle safety course and was the only one present that had a mirror. The others saw no need for mirrors and discouraged their usage which is the reason for this article. There are many paths to the one truth and I’ll show you mine so that you can find your own way to it.
There are three zones around every hazard: Cold (Safe; hazards are of no risk), Warm (Area of Awareness; hazards are of little risk but must be accommodated), and Hot (Inside the Perimeter of Defense; hazards present an extreme risk and require immediate response).
One should scan the entire area of awareness at a rate adequate to prevent anything getting inside their perimeter of defense. The perimeter of defense varies with vehicle speed and the hazards present. The area of awareness is determined by sensory perception and the time available for the task. Mirrors allow seeing in another direction by simply moving the eyes. Slightly moving the head provides 270 o of forward vision and mirrors can cover the rest. Turning around to look takes time that is often unavailable when hazards are approaching from many directions. I feel unsafe riding without mirrors.
Most people will turn and look back only when they hear an overtaking hazard or anticipate changing their travel path. Some cars are very quiet and a noisy vehicle masks everything else. The deaf are required to equip their vehicles with mirrors; a bicycle is a vehicle and acting like he is deaf will make any bicyclist safer.
You must keep your vehicle under control while maintaining an area of awareness; many people are unable to look back without swerving and using a mirror will make them safer. On our group rides; the people that use mirrors tend to be more aware of their surroundings. The ones that weave or obstruct overtaking vehicles are often without mirrors and I’ve received numerous requests to make mirrors mandatory for all group rides (as we did for helmets).
Safety equipment is no substitute for safe actions and all mirrors have blind spots. Mirrors should be checked often but you should also be able to look back without swerving. One should always look behind before changing lanes; your body language will tell those that are overtaking of your intentions. As the most vulnerable vehicle on the road communication is critical and you shouldn’t be swerving around when sending your message.
Many of the tasks done without out the use of tools can often be done better and more efficiently by someone that knows how to use the proper tools. When undertaking a task you should ask, “What tools are available and do I know how to use them?” I use mirrors because they help.
When an undetected hazard is inside your perimeter of defense because you weren’t properly using a mirror; whose fault is it when something bad happens?
REMINDER: BE SEEN!
Make sure to wear at least one item of reflective outerwear apparel, such as a reflective vest, jacket, or helmet strip, during the period from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise.
Safety and Education Coordinator
Archive Safety Articles
Which Foot Down?
Preparing For Rain
Stopping in the Roadway
Encountering Animals
Why I Commute by Bike
Save Time Commuting by Bike
Your Bike and Knee
You Can be Too Far Right
Wrong Way Cyclists
Choosing the Right Tire
Don't Scare the Slow Guy
Using Your Front Brake
How Safe is Bicycling?
How Safe is Your Helmet?
Making Left Turns
Where on the Road Do You Belong?
Rumble strips on the Shoulder
Safer Without Helmet?
Impaired Drivers
Take Your Body to its Limits
HB-1203
Protecting your Bike
Helmet Mounted Headlights
Tire Pressure
My Helmet is White
Does Your Bike Have Lights?
Be Careful Who You Trust
Law Enforcement
See and be Seen
Thanks Ray LaHood
Beware the Silent Car
Problems Grow
Bike Stat
Bikes on Sidewalk
Impaired Drivers - continued
Clothing for Safety