What is Primary Safety?

[RedSkywalker]

That's exactly what I had in mind - this is one I found in UK that looks pretty good:

Cycleaware Glasses Mounted Mirror | Mirrors - Cycle | Cycle - Cycle Sports UK

 

[Orraman]

A good and apparently objective review of mirrors, including the one in your link on this site.
For many years I used a relatively small circular mirror on my glasses but I am now an adherent of the larger rectangular format.

Cycling Mirrors

Dave

 

[JohnInStockie]

..and heres a picture of the Bell Metro Helmet mirror.

It clips on either side, and folds away into the grove on the helmet when not in use

John

 

[Nick]

I am very pleased with my Mirrycle mirror - Mirrycle Mountain Mirrycle Mirror for Straight Handlebars

It gives a clear, vibration-free, stable image and I can't believe I've ridden so long without one. I thought it might be scary seeing artics bearing down on me but the opposite is true and I only wish I'd fitted one ages ago.

 

[RedSkywalker]

That was a great article Orraman which gave a really unbiased opinion accross the whole range of mirrors. I've decided to go for the glasses mounted so I've ordered the Cycleaware because it's the only unit I can find being sold in the UK. I would have chosen the same one as you but was wary about the UK/US fitting - I'll be very interested in how you get with yours.

The Bell helmet setup looks good and I might migrate up when/if I become more accepting of wearing a helmet [takes a long time for us old fogies to learn new tricks ]

Great forum guys - very helpful for us newcomers!

 

[Footie]

My biggest fear on the road has always been that some unattentive 4x4 dickhead will wipe me out from behind. Having a mirror seems to confirm this fear as I have lost count of the number of times I have glanced in the mirror only to see a giant 4x4 with it's nose right up my ass. Just when I think I'm toast it pulls out and overtake's and in doing so gives me a little push with its bow wave.

Up until last weekend I had all but given in to fate and set myself to just wait until the inevitable happens.

However, as luck would have it last Saturday I went to my local Lidl Store and they had some cheap cycle battery lights (the flashing LED type). As a sort of half-hearted effort I fitted them to the bike, turned them on and set off for Tesco's along the by-pass.

Wow, what a difference. Almost every vehicle seemed to think I was a lorry (or something) and gave me bags of space. On the way back I forgot to turn them on and once again the 4x4's were? - You know where

I was really surprised at the effect they had. So from now on, I will have these flashing (on your face) lights on everytime I am out on the fast open roads (day or night).

That's one more primary safety for me
.

 

[Footie]

.... I often make a point of avoiding eye contact and using my peripheral vision ....

Likewise, I avoid eye contact with drivers. I find it takes too long and distracts me.

Instead I focus on the vehicles; indicators (are any flashing, which way), speed (beware when too fast, beware when too slow - may stop suddenly), bodywork angle (hard cornering, too fast, left or right tilt - can give an indication of intended direction of travel), angle of front wheel's (left, right, straight on), size (am I safe, do I have to move over a little), trailer (beware of wide trailers with over-hangs).

This is all assessed in a glance.

The only time I ever look towards the driver is when none of the above has convinced me, which way the vehicle is going. When I do look at the driver it's to see what angle the drivers face is facing, that's usually where they are going - but not always

I always proceed with caution when the face is fixed on the dashboard (gps) or the passenger (navigator) - most likely means their lost and likely to do something stupid
.

 

[flecc]

Likewise, I avoid eye contact with drivers. I find it takes too long and distracts me.

Instead I focus on the vehicles; indicators (are any flashing, which way), speed (beware when too fast, beware when too slow - may stop suddenly), bodywork angle (hard cornering, too fast, left or right tilt - can give an indication of intended direction of travel), angle of front wheel's (left, right, straight on), size (am I safe, do I have to move over a little), trailer (beware of wide trailers with over-hangs).

I do use eye contact but watch the vehicle as well. Vehicles have body language as well, just as you say, and it all adds up to more safety.
.

 

[peckerman]

My biggest fear on the road has always been that some unattentive 4x4 dickhead will wipe me out from behind. Having a mirror seems to confirm this fear as I have lost count of the number of times I have glanced in the mirror only to see a giant 4x4 with it's nose right up my ass. Just when I think I'm toast it pulls out and overtake's and in doing so gives me a little push with its bow wave.

Up until last weekend I had all but given in to fate and set myself to just wait until the inevitable happens.

However, as luck would have it last Saturday I went to my local Lidl Store and they had some cheap cycle battery lights (the flashing LED type). As a sort of half-hearted effort I fitted them to the bike, turned them on and set off for Tesco's along the by-pass.

Wow, what a difference. Almost every vehicle seemed to think I was a lorry (or something) and gave me bags of space. On the way back I forgot to turn them on and once again the 4x4's were? - You know where

I was really surprised at the effect they had. So from now on, I will have these flashing (on your face) lights on everytime I am out on the fast open roads (day or night).

That's one more primary safety for me
.

Are you actually saying that you are genuinely SURPRISED that motorists give you more room when you have lights fitted? Who'd have thought eh......One possibility, now I may be being a bit radical here......is that they can see you better? Just a thought.

Oh and for the record the flashing ones one their own are illegal. They are only legal when accompanied by a standard rear light also. I personally think the flashing ones are better, just passing on information.

 

[HarryB]

Oh and for the record the flashing ones one their own are illegal. They are only legal when accompanied by a standard rear light also. I personally think the flashing ones are better, just passing on information.

Not strictly speaking true. You can have flashing on their own or steady - the law was changed a few years ago to allow flashing lights (previously they were illegal to have on your bike at all). There are all sorts of complications, such as if it has a steady mode as well as flashing then it must conform to British Standards etc.

Lighting Regulations

 

[Footie]

Are you actually saying that you are genuinely SURPRISED that motorists give you more room when you have lights fitted? Who'd have thought eh......One possibility, now I may be being a bit radical here......is that they can see you better? Just a thought.

Oh and for the record the flashing ones one their own are illegal. They are only legal when accompanied by a standard rear light also. I personally think the flashing ones are better, just passing on information.

Flashing lights - yes.

Fixed ‘on’ lights don’t do anything – I have tried.

There is no reason for anyone to be so close to me on this road when I’m on my ebike. This is a stretch or road where speeds are well over 60mph with clear unobstructed visibility for about 2.5 mile, 3 lane with duel overtaking (you could sail a battle ship down the road without hitting anything) and yet the 4x4's are always the ones up my ass and in my pocket.

I have a bright red and silver bike and always wear my hi-vis yellow jacket (look like a bloody canary). Maybe I'm a little naive, but I genuinely though that would be enough. Unfortunately, I failed to consider the brain dead 4x4 drivers.

I will continue using the lights because they have proved to befit my safety. If the law decides I'm doing something illegal I am sure they will be falling over them selves to come and tell me
.

 

[peckerman]

No you're not, looks like I'm completely out of date and wrong on this one. They used to be illegal. But not now by the looks of it. I light my bike up like a xmas tree. As tesco say, every little helps.

 

[Footie]

... I light my bike up like a xmas tree ....

Do you wear a hi-vis jacket or a Tinker Bell dress
.

 

[JohnInStockie]

Not sure which would be best

 

[Nick]

Something I've long done, but which my recent fitting of a mirror has helped, is to wave 'thank you' to vehicles that wait until it's safe to pass me. On general riding I feel a little politeness doesn't go amiss but on my commute I am more likely to see these same vehicles again, and hope that they are less likely to try to squeeze ahead of me next time if I have previously acknowledged their patience.

*polishes halo!*

Nick

 

[peckerman]

I reckon if I rode along in a tinkerbell outfit Every car on the road would give me plenty of room......infact I might try it tomorrow.

 

[flecc]

Something I've long done, but which my recent fitting of a mirror has helped, is to wave 'thank you' to vehicles that wait until it's safe to pass me. On general riding I feel a little politeness doesn't go amiss but on my commute I am more likely to see these same vehicles again, and hope that they are less likely to try to squeeze ahead of me next time if I have previously acknowledged their patience.

*polishes halo!*

Nick

Ditto Nick, and I always try to help motorists pass as quickly as possible by use of my mirror, making sure I don't arrive at parked cars at the same time as them, bringing them down to my speed.
.

 

[bogmonster]

4x4 drivers get a very bad rap in this site and I think that is a little unfair. Where I live about 1 in 3 cars are 4x4 and many of them are used on farms and pulling horse boxes.

I have a AWD car, although a tiny little 1.5 Subaru Imprezza because it is great when the roads ice over and previously owned a Discovery when I was doing building work. Its the Chelsea tractor mob that's the problem, not 4x4 per se....

In fact most of the 4x4 drivers here are not too bad, many of them ride horses so know what it is like to deal with reckless driving in an expossed position.

*getting off my soapbox*

As for primary safety, there are roads I avoid in my car around here for safety as at rush hour people bomb along and I have had some very near collisions. I now pick my route very carefully. This is even more important on a bike where there is little protection.

 

[JohnInStockie]

I dont think anyone is having a go at the farmers BM, it the "Chelsea Tractors" thats the problem, why would anyone ever need a 4x4 in a town?

 

[Footie]

4x4 drivers get a very bad rap in this site and I think that is a little unfair.

Everyone has his or her own view of the world.

As JohnInStockie says, it's not the farmer’s 4x4's that are a problem.

I actually have a very good mate who is a specialised 4x4 mechanic

But I still have a disliking for 4x4's - I have a pet dislike for badly driven 4x4's, because they can be so dangerous to ALL other road users. They are very large vehicles in every sense but many drivers don't seem to care or realise - they drive them like sports cars.

For a time I drove a 17 seat school minibus and I now have an ex 17 seater converted into a campervan. I know what big vehicles are like on the road and I know what effort it takes to stop them in an emergency - believe me, a fully loaded 17 seater mini bus does not stop the moment you slam on the breaks, neither does a 4x4. The speed that some of these idiots drive at there's not a hope in hell of them stopping in an emergency. But are they worried? Hell no, they’re in a sold steel box weighing 3 tons or more. What chance does a family saloon (or ever a cyclist) stand against them?

Out of interest, have you ever watched a morning school run? If not try it one morning. It's the time when almost every 4x4 in town is on the road - you will be amazed at the amount of speeding, bad driving, kerb-mounting parking and just-stop-here dropping-off you'll see - and it's not just the ladies - it's a wonder any kids get to school alive

I have no problems with well-driven 4x4's - but unfortunately a high proportion of 4x4 drivers just barrel their way through with a "get out of my way attitude" - it's no wonder so many other road users dislike them.
.