Frank Krygowski wrote:

But the incidents that first tempted me to use a mirror involved
passing cars. Yes, I can usually hear upcoming cars (assuming the
wind isn't too strong), but I realized that I couldn't tell if I was
being passed by one car or two, or how closely I was being passed.
And when riding our pothole minefields, I found it very handy to know
whether a passing car was moving clear to the next lane or not. I can
easily tell these things with an eyeglass mirror.

I like the rear view mirrors for these reasons as well. I use the
basic ones attached to the handlebar. I don't wear a helmet and
the one's attached to glasses seem to strain my eye.

I don't need to be able to read a book using the mirrors. Just
quick scans of the situation behind to help me decide how I'm
going to ride the road conditions ahead of me (i.e. primarily
taking the lane for, say, parked cars, or holding tight a little
while longer).

They almost certainly aren't going to save my life by helping me
get out of the way of someone about to run me down although they
may help me detect someone driving erratically before they actually
get close.

And it's a lot easier to just glance in the rear view rather than
turn my head. The shoulder check should be de rigeur for crossing
the road to prep for a left turn though.

I have no problem at all with people who say they don't need them. I
have no problem with people who say they've tried them but don't like
them, or can't get the hang of them. But I think the "oh ****"
vitriol they attract is pretty weird!

Yea, I think it's a bit strange too.


SMH