30
votes
Accepted
Is turning head to look backwards while riding a bike a safe and recommended technique?
Yes - looking behind you (briefly) is a perfectly good way to find out what's there.
The dangers of not-looking-behind are much higher than a brief interruption of looking forward.
You're right that ...
- 120k
14
votes
Is turning head to look backwards while riding a bike a safe and recommended technique?
You need to be able to check over your shoulder. It will get easier with practice.
Taking your points in order:
You shouldn't ever need to signal which side to pass you - the passing side is defined ...
- 55.8k
11
votes
Where to mount a headlight if the handlebar is obscured by a basket
Something like this accessory is what you need:
Can be fitted onto wired or meshed bicycle baskets.
This specific model is made by the "Rixen & Kaul" and can be found in many online shops. E.g. ...
- 211
11
votes
Reflective tape for polyester rain jacket
I think you run the risk of ruining your jacket by doing anything with it with heat or stickers.
Instead I would suggest adding passive reflective materials to your kit.
3M has a reflective spray ...
- 120k
8
votes
Conceptual: Bike Lights built into Grips
You would be entering in a very busy market with no obvious advantages. Let's look at the two types of LEDs that you might use:
If you're using inexpensive and low-power 5050 LEDs (15 lumens@350mW; ...
- 28.9k
8
votes
Accepted
How should I configure my tail-lights?
I run The Bike Light Database (which started from a series of blog posts on this very Stack Exchange site). The Cygolite Hotshot and the NiteRider Solas are actually two of my top recommended lights, ...
- 3,803
6
votes
How can I prevent glasses fogging when cycling in the cold with face covered
What you are looking for is a product that covers your face (to keep it warm) seals along the upper edge to your face (to keep breath from leaking up under your glasses) and uses a design to direct ...
- 9,928
6
votes
Is turning head to look backwards while riding a bike a safe and recommended technique?
Looking over your shoulder before manoeuvering was mandatory in the road test for motorbikes and I would guess still is. I always do it whether on bicycle, motorbike or in car and it has saved me ...
- 161
6
votes
Is turning head to look backwards while riding a bike a safe and recommended technique?
Whether I was taught this along the line or mimicking someone I saw doing this, my way of looking behind--"checking my 6"--when riding is down and thru my (usually) left arm. It's generally ...
- 9,522
6
votes
Are there recumbent-specific pedals with reflectors on the top and bottom instead of front and back?
It's probably one of those things where the law and reality don't quite line up. I've never seen specific "recumbent pedals" for sale other than the ones with heel retention.
On my `bent I ...
- 120k
5
votes
Is turning head to look backwards while riding a bike a safe and recommended technique?
It's essential to master the last-second "lifesaver" visual check over your shoulder before turning across traffic (that includes a check for "undertaking" cyclists) - mirrors have ...
- 366
5
votes
Reflective tape for polyester rain jacket
Expanding on my comments, and in addition to AndyP's mention of a hi-vis vest I'd look into the following hi-vis (fluorescent and reflective) accessories, some of which can also be illuminated:
...
- 55.8k
5
votes
Accepted
Screwing reflectors to pedals - what washers do I need, and where?
The "normal" stacking order for those would be
Reflector Pedal body Flat washer Spring washer Nut
The flat washer spreads the load, and the spring washer is supposed ...
- 120k
5
votes
Where to mount a headlight if the handlebar is obscured by a basket
Attach a pipe or pole to the basket and hey presto! Another "handlebar"!
Photos from Bike Hacks contributors:
- 1,339
5
votes
Reflective tape for polyester rain jacket
Scotchlite is the material usually used to add reflective elements to clothing. You can get it in tape form. I've used it to add reflective dots to some of my bike gear. It sticks pretty well, it's ...
- 28.6k
5
votes
Accepted
Safety vest: is an all-reflective one fine?
I think your main problem will be when it’s not dark.
I’ve noticed with my Castelli Gabba jersey which is a really bright fluorescent yellow that people notice me much earlier at intersections or when ...
- 25.8k
4
votes
When riding with a single pannier, does it matter which side it's on?
Most people have their single pannier on the left side for balance reasons because they are using single-leg kick-stands, which usually mount on the non-drive-side.
I have a double-leg kickstand so ...
- 28.9k
4
votes
Accepted
Does a highly visible frame colour improve safety significantly?
It wouldn’t make much difference from the rear. All a driver could see from the rear is the top of your seat stays, which aren’t very large. Same goes for the front. From the side, it would make more ...
- 15.4k
4
votes
Screwing reflectors to pedals - what washers do I need, and where?
Danger danger!
I have used those reflectors and they are a piece of crap. The failure mode is the plastic breaking. Your shoes will damage them in no time. I'd expect 2000 km use out of them. Then you'...
- 17.7k
4
votes
Reflective tape for polyester rain jacket
Gore have a support page that mentions ironing as a method to reactivate DWR treatments on SOME of their products. But this is with a towel placed between so that you are not applying heat directly. ...
- 18.2k
4
votes
Reflective tape for polyester rain jacket
I think I have the same jacket :) I put on a thrifted orange running vest that has reflective properties. I agree about the gloves/arms needing something to signal turns at night. My coldest weather ...
3
votes
Is turning head to look backwards while riding a bike a safe and recommended technique?
A few points not yet covered:
Mirrors can have blind spots
Just like a car's mirrors, any mirror you use on a bicycle can have blind spots. You'll have to turn your head to check those.
Mirrors can ...
- 10.4k
3
votes
Is turning head to look backwards while riding a bike a safe and recommended technique?
Mirrors can be used to address this problem.
My past experience with mirrors was not among the best. The first mirror I tried long time ago was mounted on a long rod, sensitive to vibration to degree ...
- 7,272
3
votes
Does a highly visible frame colour improve safety significantly?
I found a nice product that is a roll of shiny black tape that reflects very brightly at night and would just look like a faint black stripe on your black frame when not reflecting. It works during ...
- 1,460
3
votes
How can I prevent glasses fogging when cycling in the cold with face covered
Glasses fogging is constant problem in cold weather... the good news we are in the midst of a trend towards more cold weather riding and products are starting to come to market to reflect that trend.. ...
- 1,426
3
votes
Are there recumbent-specific pedals with reflectors on the top and bottom instead of front and back?
A DIY solution: I bought the reflector separately for my trekking's bike pedals (PD-M324 - dual pedals, one side SPD, one side flat, but there are other pedals that may work provided they have a flat ...
- 16.2k
2
votes
How can I make my bike (and myself) visible at night?
Having the full set of lights/reflectors on your bike that is prescribed by law goes a long way. In Germany, that is afaik:
White working front light
Red working rear light
White front reflector (...
2
votes
Lighted ankle straps
Yes.
Since that's a short answer, here's some examples (without making any sort of recommendation)
http://www.dx.com/p/outdoor-sports-blue-light-3-mode-led-flashing-safety-armband-black-2-cr2032-...
- 120k
2
votes
Screwing reflectors to pedals - what washers do I need, and where?
Those spring washers are normally used under the tighening nut. They are used to keep the nut in place.
The normal washer would go on the other side but I would consider them optional.
- 15.4k
2
votes
Screwing reflectors to pedals - what washers do I need, and where?
Today I happened to look up these PD-M324 pedals on the Shimano website, and there is a PDF there with service instructions. In my original question, I complained that the reflectors had come with no ...
- 203
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible