Cyclists.

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Originally Posted by loneranger

I agree on the bell. Personally I've never felt the need for a mirror but for those without the handling skills to look behind them and maintain a straight line they probably should.

Lights are more important. 2 rear flashing lights on different patterns are a lot easier for motorists to see than just having one rear light. We found that once we switched from 1 rear light to 2 that we had a lot less close passes from the motorists.

I ride Ayups on the front so now issues with being seen. :D

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I hope you've got eyes in the back of your head :angel: looking back is avoided by using a mirror, probably why other road vehicles are required to have them. Looking back or 'a head check' is only required before you lane change...:confused: assuming all 'is well' behind you just adds to the 'ignorance' mentioned here and is simply irresponsible.

But, maybe the mirror concept is just too hard to grasp considering what I've witnessed other drivers do when I'm driving :cool:

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Originally Posted by Greatsouthernland

I hope you've got eyes in the back of your head :angel: looking back is avoided by using a mirror, probably why other road vehicles are required to have them. Looking back or 'a head check' is only required before you lane change...:confused: assuming all 'is well' behind you just adds to the 'ignorance' mentioned here and is simply irresponsible.

But, maybe the mirror concept is just too hard to grasp considering what I've witnessed other drivers do when I'm driving :cool:

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I average around 10,000km a year on my bicycle and have done for the last 6 years so I feel qualified to make a statement regarding whether I need a mirror or not when I ride my bike. Maybe for those lacking in confidence and awareness of what is going on around them a mirror would be a useful tool.

Personally I have these things on the side of my head called ears that can tell me a lot about what is going on around me when I ride. As a serious cyclist I am pretty well tuned into what is going on around me when I'm out there on my bike. Sure I'm not going to see the idiot using their mobile phone coming up behind me but once you start thinking like that its time to find another sport.

Don't presume your lack of ability translates to being my lack of ability.

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Originally Posted by Greatsouthernland

I hope you've got eyes in the back of your head :angel: looking back is avoided by using a mirror, probably why other road vehicles are required to have them. Looking back or 'a head check' is only required before you lane change...:confused: assuming all 'is well' behind you just adds to the 'ignorance' mentioned here and is simply irresponsible.

But, maybe the mirror concept is just too hard to grasp considering what I've witnessed other drivers do when I'm driving :cool:

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I also disagree with your opinion about mirrors but you know it doesn't matter. We don't all need to share the same opinion.

I'm sure many will disagree with my previous post in regards to my opinions about riding on main roads only as a last resort and that's okay.

Then there are others like Eevo et al who thinks we should not be on the road at all. That's okay too. They're entitled to their opinion.

When everyone starts flaming each other because someone disagrees with them is when threads like these start to degenerate.

I don't expect anyone to agree with my opinions because they're based on my experiences.

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Originally Posted by Pocket Rocket

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Then there are others like Eevo et al who thinks we should not be on the road at all. That's okay too. They're entitled to their opinion.

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no, you can be on the road whenever im not on it :)

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Originally Posted by bee utey

I'm all for the abolition of registration. Registration is a stupid scheme because it insufficiently identifies the operator and penalises light users. There could be suitably placed detectors and all people would have RFID chips embedded in them and no-one could escape the reach of the law. They could be taxed based on how and when they use a particular facility and drive any of their vehicles whenever they wanted without having to pay thousands up front. Great idea!:p

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And they're already microchipping people in Sweden!!!!! Your turn will come!!!:p:p:p

Office staff microchipped to enter Swedish office building

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Originally Posted by loneranger

I average around 10,000km a year on my bicycle and have done for the last 6 years so I feel qualified to make a statement regarding whether I need a mirror or not when I ride my bike. Maybe for those lacking in confidence and awareness of what is going on around them a mirror would be a useful tool.

Personally I have these things on the side of my head called ears that can tell me a lot about what is going on around me when I ride. As a serious cyclist I am pretty well tuned into what is going on around me when I'm out there on my bike. Sure I'm not going to see the idiot using their mobile phone coming up behind me but once you start thinking like that its time to find another sport.

Don't presume your lack of ability translates to being my lack of ability.

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Sorry Mr Kent, your ability to hear electric cars approaching from behind you is astounding.

Don't be so self righteous, deaf people are entitled to have options to use multiple senses, when your hearing fades or is lost, I hope you remember how narrow- minded your criticism was...

But you carry on, flame out.:D

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Originally Posted by Greatsouthernland

Sorry Mr Kent, your ability to hear electric cars approaching from behind you is astounding.

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i have to agree.
our ears are our least tuned sense.

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Originally Posted by Greatsouthernland

One more, if you don't have a bell or mirror, wake up and get them, don't be that idiot without :p

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Maybe you need to re-read your post above where you suggested anyone riding without a mirror is an idiot.

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Originally Posted by Greatsouthernland

I hope you've got eyes in the back of your head :angel: looking back is avoided by using a mirror, probably why other road vehicles are required to have them. Looking back or 'a head check' is only required before you lane change...:confused: assuming all 'is well' behind you just adds to the 'ignorance' mentioned here and is simply irresponsible

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If you only head check on your bike when your about to change lanes you must be one of those idiot cyclists out there that has no idea how to ride and should stick to 4 wheels.

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Originally Posted by Greatsouthernland

Sorry Mr Kent, your ability to hear electric cars approaching from behind you is astounding.

But you carry on, flame out.:D

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You know those rubber bits that enable a car to move forward. They make a noise too or is your hearing so far gone that you can't hear them anymore. Have you ever noticed the sound of the air disturbance from vehicles travelling at speed.

Me thinks you may be in need of a hearing aid. :wasntme:

Consider yourself flamed :D

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Originally Posted by loneranger

You know those rubber bits that enable a car to move forward. They make a noise too or is your hearing so far gone that you can't hear them anymore. Have you ever noticed the sound of the air disturbance from vehicles travelling at speed.

Me thinks you may be in need of a hearing aid. :wasntme:

Consider yourself flamed :D

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Ouch.

Clutching at straws there :D Now introduce a head wind and other noises in front of and alongside the rider (we'll introduce a generic rider, not a bionic one :p). Now for fun - imagine (it's easy if you try) that rider with ear plugs and motivational music emitting. Just two reasons why reliance on hearing, alone, is lacking in due care and consideration.

And yes my hearing probably is a bit far gone (I will blame that on working underground), I can accept I'm not perfect :) mirrors restore a level playing field, there's a reason they place them on all other road vehicles and enforce through roadworthy definitions. Perhaps the mad mamils consider they don't look cool and the drag effect of a $10 mirror reduces their chances of making elite cycling teams? :confused:

Sorry if you feel I implied you were an idiot, I didn't think that was a harsh statement and was more a reference to attitude, not safety equipment compliance. But I can see how this was a bit 'extreme' and thanks for prompting my retrospective withdrawal of that blanket statement, I'm such an idiot sometimes :angel:

Maybe a mirror(s) on every other road vehicle EXCEPT bikes is 'completely reasonable' :o and I'm over analysing it :( as long as you have a bell and warn others of your high speed approach, that's a start, good on you ;)

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Originally Posted by loneranger

Maybe you need to re-read your post above where you suggested anyone riding without a mirror is an idiot. Done :angel:

If you only head check on your bike when your about to change lanes you must be one of those idiot cyclists out there that has no idea how to ride and should stick to 4 wheels.


Consider yourself flamed :D

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As I use a mirror, I only 'head check' if I'm turning, crossing intersections, entering paths/tracks or changing lanes. Much the same as driving a motor vehicle, albeit where I have three mirrors by law :p I'm 'scanning' the mirror as I do with the car/truck mirrors, with my eyes predominantly facing my 'direction of travel'. That's how I was instructed last century. Have I got it wrong? How do you do it?