First off, this is not a pro/anti-mirror thread, nor is it a car-driver bashing thread, just my experience.
Did a bit of riding this past week while back up in NJ. I have been in MD for just over a year, and have grown accustomed to a much stronger cycling infrastructure. In NJ, I just took it as "normal" to take your life in your hands every time you went out for a ride. Well, being back in NJ was rather. . .different.
Anyway, I installed a pair of Sprintech Drop Bar mirrors on my road bike and have been getting accustomed to them. The week before I installed a Mirrcycle mirror on my hybrid since I use that to pull my daughter around in her WeeHoo iGo and wanted an extra heads-up in addition to listening and and head checks over my shoulder.
Anyway I was on a 2 lane road, no shoulder/bike line/fog line. Up ahead is a sewer grate, but doubled up, meaning that there were two next to each other so instead of jutting out 24 inches or so from the curb it jutted out 48 inches or so. In addition this town uses grates with HUGE gaps to let water in, it would easily swallow a 23c tire. I am checking my mirror and see a silver BMW SUV coming up on me. The driver (male) points at me to his passenger (female) and I hear the exhaust roar as he aims for me, with the goal of putting me in to the sewer grate!
Luckily I slammed on my brakes as I saw this unfolding and managed to stop about 10 inches from the edge of the grate. I don't participate in confrontation on the road, especially on a bike, just not worth getting shot or hurt over. I really, really hope he gets caught one day. Unfortunately, NJ refuses to enact a "vulnerable road user" law. I never thought I'd say it, but I am glad to be in MD!
As for mirrors? They should be a necessity/required item on each bike sold. IMHO.
Did a bit of riding this past week while back up in NJ. I have been in MD for just over a year, and have grown accustomed to a much stronger cycling infrastructure. In NJ, I just took it as "normal" to take your life in your hands every time you went out for a ride. Well, being back in NJ was rather. . .different.
Anyway, I installed a pair of Sprintech Drop Bar mirrors on my road bike and have been getting accustomed to them. The week before I installed a Mirrcycle mirror on my hybrid since I use that to pull my daughter around in her WeeHoo iGo and wanted an extra heads-up in addition to listening and and head checks over my shoulder.
Anyway I was on a 2 lane road, no shoulder/bike line/fog line. Up ahead is a sewer grate, but doubled up, meaning that there were two next to each other so instead of jutting out 24 inches or so from the curb it jutted out 48 inches or so. In addition this town uses grates with HUGE gaps to let water in, it would easily swallow a 23c tire. I am checking my mirror and see a silver BMW SUV coming up on me. The driver (male) points at me to his passenger (female) and I hear the exhaust roar as he aims for me, with the goal of putting me in to the sewer grate!
Luckily I slammed on my brakes as I saw this unfolding and managed to stop about 10 inches from the edge of the grate. I don't participate in confrontation on the road, especially on a bike, just not worth getting shot or hurt over. I really, really hope he gets caught one day. Unfortunately, NJ refuses to enact a "vulnerable road user" law. I never thought I'd say it, but I am glad to be in MD!
As for mirrors? They should be a necessity/required item on each bike sold. IMHO.