How often do all of you perform regular shoulder checks?
I hardly see other Toronto cyclists do it.
I do it constantly out of habit, if anything just to signal cars and let them know that I know they're there.
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Posted 1 year ago #
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Posted 1 year ago #
Not enough cyclists do regular shoulder checks!
I think a lot of accidents can be avoided by this simple procedure... and general traffic mayhem would be smoothed out too.
Looking around and being aware in general should be promoted for everyone. Pedestrians too!!!
Maybe there should be a massive ad campaign to educate (re-educate?) cyclists and pedestrians to LOOK OUT!
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Posted 1 year ago #
It's a simple thing and has saved my butt more than once. It always startles me when it does save me. If I look back expecting to see an empty lane and see someone coming up quickly it can be pretty shocking, and a great reminder that I need to keep checking...
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Posted 1 year ago #
I'm in the same boat as Todd... I shoulder-check almost unconsciously now.
It doesn't matter if I'm on a busy main road or a sidestreet... I check without even thinking any time I am about to move out to pass a parked car, or am approaching an intersection.
I've been startled a few times by "e-bikes" and Priuses (Prii?)... as they are sometimes very quiet.
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Posted 1 year ago #
Agreed, not many cyclists shoulder check which is dangerous. But then again, I also see a bunch of drivers who don't bother as well. After a trip to the velodrome it's been almost instinctive to shoulder check before making a move for me. Heck, I even shoulder check every so often when I'm biking straight, just in case someone is riding too close or wants to pass me but I don't hear them.
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Posted 1 year ago #
I shoulder check all the time but it's so automatic I don't even know under what specific circumstances I do it in. I'll have to pay attention next time I'm riding. It's pretty scary sometimes, watching other cyclists in front of me veer into the path of a car or other cyclist without ever glancing back. Amazing that there are so few accidents all there, considering.
Annie
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Posted 1 year ago #
I sometimes do it automatically when there is no reason to (no car noise behind me, on a quiet side street, not near an intersection...), and I catch myself doing it and then ask myself why I'm doing it. :) haha
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Posted 1 year ago #
I've heard another side effect of frequent shoulder checking even without changing lanes is that it can make a cyclist seem more unpredictable and therefore be given more space when passing. I'd say that's often been true (or at least seemed it) in my experience.
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