to think Bicycles should have wing mirrors?

[SlightlyJaded]

I have always had a bike but used it mostly for pootling about / park and whatnot.

We have recently started doing the school run and more shopping on bikes in the interests of Doing My Bit.

The school run is a death race. I now understand why I have spent my whole life driving around and cursing cyclists. It's because they can't see what the fuck is happening on the road. As far as I can tell it's eyes front and hope for the best

If you do want to know whether you can swerve round a parked car or turn or whatever, you crane your neck back - instantly wobbling your course - and cycling blind for as long as you are checking behind you.

Obviously my in-built twatometer stops be attaching wing mirrors to my handlebars but actually I can't understand why bikes don't have wing mirrors.

Can anyone tell me?

They don't have mirrors because the eyelines are such that the field of view is tiny. If you sit very upright and a long way from the handlebars than you can just about get reasonable ones, but the blindspots are still too large to actually make a manouver without doing a shoulder check.

Because of that, it's easier to simply do a shoulder check always as you'll need to to see the blind spots.

As you appear unsure about this, can I recommend a Bikeability course

No idea, but YANBU.

It can be pretty wobbly turning to look behind you.

YANBU...I DO have wing mirror for my bike and it is brilliant - I am totally aware of what is behind me without keep looking behind me, I love it and wouldnt be without it!

My husband refers to these as life-savers and told me to look over my shoulder more frequently just to be aware.

Sound advice he cycles about 13 miles each day through London.

My mirror is fitted to the end of my handlebar and of course is adjustable so it is perfect!

so that the shatter on a fall and cause even more horrific injuries?

It's not glass, its some sort of magnifyed plastic so no, it wouldnt shatter!

I ride a motorbike (which has wing mirrors, obv) and whenever I get on my pushbike I keep looking down at where my wing mirror should be and cursing the fact that it is not there. So YANBU.
On the other hand, even on the motorbike it's vitally important to also do a quick look over the shoulder blind-spot check before moving out around parked cars/changing lanes whatever. And that check is known amongst bikers (particularly instructors) as a "lifesaver", for very good reasons!
On two wheels you really do feel so much more vulnerable on the road. And you are.

YANBU, also they should be fitted with bells/horns/tooters as compulsory and it should be law to use them when on a footpath that is also a shared cycle route.

I think because, as suggested further up the post, there is more or often or not a blind spot so you do need to look over your shoulder anyway. With practice you can do this without wobbling. Also remember your other senses. After years of cycling in London I can pretty much hear what's behind me in terms of type of vehicle/speed. [Don't get me started on people who cycle with headphones in..]. If in doubt, just stop, has always been my personal mantra!

YANBU. They should also have insurance, and proper training.

Bike's shouldn't be allowed on the roads full stop. Cyclists should only be allowed to stick to designated cycle paths. Grrrr

Saltire - bells/tooters no use if the pedestrian is hearing-impaired (like me). I think bikes should have to slow down and go carefully around pedestrians on shared path/cycle routes. Not whizz past assuming the pedestrian will be aware and leap out of the way.

Of course they should be allowed on the roads!! Stick to the cycle paths - thats a bloody joke, we hardly have any where I live and if you are lucky enough to get one they come to a sudden stop!

If you can't glance over your shoulder without wobbling seriously you need to a) practice riding your bike a bit and b) possibly slow down.

As has been explained even with mirrors you need to glance as well.

I just found with my mirror it makes me totally aware of any traffic behind me, distances etc etc although yes, you still need the odd glance for your blind spot. However, I have found it to be really good and I do feel a lot safer with it. You can get universal ones that fit any bike and they are not that expensive.

Wouldn't it be lovely if this thread didn't turn into a cyclist/pedestrian/driver bashing thread...? :)

redridingwolf - I never thought of that (still annoyed about this morning), perhaps using a bella nd slowing down?

Sydney - we can live in hope

you can get them but you need to look behind you also... just like you do in a car to check your blind spot and i'm quite worried that you're wobbling doing this.. i can look behind, lift hands off the handlebars etc without a slightest wobble.

you need to spend some time on your bike skills on grass or paths - riding round cones, riding no handed, looking back, all that stuff - do it with your DCs, it's fun as well as useful.

YANBU. This thread might have inspired me to buy one.

mojito you would love me, I actively avoid the cycle paths near me because they are shit. I cycle merrily along the road instead with DS on the back.

I hate cyclists on pavements. I am amazed how many adults I speak to who think I am brave to take DS on the roads and tell me they always use the pavement.

Ok then, will relent a little, even though I think they're a pain in the arse and very dangerous.

People who ride bikes on major roads should have to go through a test similar to drivers and have to adhere to the highway code.

Celtic pain in the arse Promise