Set the mirrors
- Sit in your normal riding position and adjust the mirrors, so that you can see the road behind you with only a little of your own arm or shoulder.
- Check that they do not vibrate so much that the picture is blurred.
- Do not use flat and convex mirrors to judge distance in the same way. Convex mirrors make objects look further away.
The blind spot
There is an area beside and slightly behind you that the mirrors do not show. A vehicle in this area can be completely hidden, so you need to turn your head to see it.
The routine
- Check the mirror to see what is behind you.
- Signal your intention early.
- Make a quick shoulder check to the side you will move to.
- Move smoothly and cancel the signal.
Keep your eyes forward
A shoulder check should be quick. Keep the bike steady, and look back to the front straight away. Do it before you brake or turn, not in the middle of it. See being seen by drivers and lane position.
Check again before you move. A gap can close in a second, especially on a multi-lane road.